Wisconsin GOP legislator introduced legislation to promote experimental ‘abortion reversal treatment’

In 2019, Wisconsin state Rep. Pat Snyder (R-Wausau) introduced a bill that would have forced doctors to inform patients about untested “abortion reversal treatment” that is highly experimental and not backed by medical experts.

Snyder and his Republican colleagues introduced Assembly Bill 180 in April 2019. In the case of a patient seeking an abortion through drugs like mifepristone, AB 180 would have forced doctors to include information about untested regiments to “continue the pregnancy” if the patient changes their mind.

The Wisconsin Medical Society opposed the provision, saying at the time it was “dubious” to refer women to these kinds of services.

“Referring women to outside organizations promoting this type of treatment is dubious, as ‘reversal’ procedures have not undergone needed evidence -based research. Indeed, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists does not support claims that this type of treatment is safe and/or effective,” the testimony reads.

This bill was vetoed by Gov. Tony Evers (D).

Snyder also supported a 14-week abortion ban in Wisconsin when he voted for Assembly Bill 975 this past January. The 67-year-old legislator also proposed legislation to allow taxpayers to claim unborn fetuses as dependents and a bill to punish health care providers who perform abortions.

Snyder’s record on abortion has garnered him support from anti-abortion groups like Wisconsin Right to Life because he supports the organization’s “legislative strategy.” Last year, a spokesperson for Wisconsin Right to Life said her group does not support rape or incest exceptions for abortion bans, and the group only supports “medical emergency” exceptions.

Snyder has served in the Wisconsin House of Representatives since 2017. After Evers signed new legislative maps into law earlier this year, Snyder and other Republicans are facing more legitimate challenges to their majority than they’ve seen in over a decade. The 29-year-old nonprofit executive Yee Leng Xiong will challenge Snyder for control of Wisconsin’s 85^th Assembly District, which is now considered a tossup.