RICHMOND (AP) -- Senator Janet Howell says if pregnant women should have to get an ultrasound before having an abortion, men should have to undergo additional medical procedures before getting a prescription for erectile dysfunction.
Howell expressed her disdain for legislation requiring the ultrasound by proposing an amendment she described as a simple matter of gender equity. Her amendment said that before being treated for erectile dysfunction, a man would have to undergo a digital rectal exam and a cardiac stress test.
The Fairfax County Democrat said if women are to be subjected to an unnecessary medical procedure, it's only fair to require the same of men.
Republican Sen. Jill Vogel of Fauquier County argued that erectile dysfunction and pregnancy clearly are not the same.
The Senate voted 21-19 to reject the amendment.
AP-WF-01-30-12 1904GMT
