U.S. Supreme Court Allow Kentucky Informed Consent Law to Stand

This week, the United States Supreme Court declined to review a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit upholding a Kentucky informed consent law. The Kentucky law, known as "The Ultrasound Informed Consent Act," requires abortion providers to perform and describe an ultrasound image and play audio of the unborn child's heartbeat. 

The Bishops of Kentucky had previously acknowledged their support of the law, saying it was passed "to ensure women have access to unbiased and medically sound information about abortion procedures and the unborn child in the womb before making an irreversible decision to have an abortion."  

With the Court's denial to hear the appeal, the Kentucky law can take effect immediately.