Web details of abortions pulled from bill

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NASHVILLE, March 22 (UPI) -- A provision of a bill in Tennessee's Legislature calling for details of abortions to be listed on a state Web site has been withdrawn, its sponsor said.

Rep. Matthew Hill told members of the Legislative Health and Human Service Committee Wednesday that he is rewriting the bill, HB3808, deleting the section that requires doctors to post information on the Department of Health Web site about any abortions performed in the state, and concentrating on a requirement that doctors obtain admitting privileges at area hospitals.

The bill has received national attention and comment, and Hill said he has received death threats, the (Nashville) Tennessean reported Thursday.

Jeff Teague, chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee, said Hill should contact law enforcement authorities if threatened, as his organization does.

"It's exactly what happens when we have threats against the safety and security of our staff, physicians and clients," Teague said.

The issue of admitting privileges is meant to ensure that doctors can easily admit patients who experience complications after abortions, Hill said.