State Representative Bryan Terry

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Rep. Terry Clarifies Newly Adopted Tennessee Abortion Law

January 3, 2019 By Admin

Several new laws have now taken effect January 1.  One new law surrounding abortion that has taken effect is Public Chapter 862.  It says that if an abortion provider performs an ultrasound prior to an abortion(they almost always perform one), then they must offer the opportunity to the woman to learn the results.  If the woman wants the results, the abortion provider must provide the results including whether or not there is a heartbeat. In addition, the presence or absence of a heartbeat must be included in their report to the state.

The law has been misreported by all sides of news media, but is landmark, constitutional legislation that is going to save lives and hopefully change hearts and minds towards the unborn.  It also, unbeknownst to nearly everyone, contains former State Rep. Rick Womick’s everlasting contribution to the pro-life movement.

I know a lot of folks like political inside baseball.  Below is some info on how the law got passed and what the law means:

Many folks are aware that back on 2015 Rick Womick had a controversial ultrasound bill.  The original iteration had some issues, especially in relation to Amendment 1. However, in 2016, I worked with Rick to amend his bill in order to maximize unborn protections while, also, ensuring it wouldn’t negatively impact the laws surrounding Amendment 1.  

Of course, the left and the media, who didn’t bother to understand the changes, were still in hysterics over his bill and several on the right still had concerns because they were not aware of the changes either.  In the end, Rick stood in front of the committee. Spoke passionately about the unborn, and in a statesmanlike manner, took his bill off notice.

The amended version of Rick’s bill operated on these principles none of which can be refuted by Planned Parenthood nor pro-abortion activists or legislators.

  1. Depending on gestation, an ultrasound is the standard of care prior to an abortion.
  2. Providers should offer test results so patients can make an informed decision
  3. Women(and all patients) deserve to know the results of their tests if they choose
  4. Providers should document the test results and keep patients records(current law)
  5. Women overwhelmingly will choose life if they know their ultrasound has a heartbeat.

To further explain these points, there are various types of abortion procedures depending on the age and size of the unborn.  The state does NOT have to require an ultrasound prior to an abortion because it is already the standard of care. Depending on the perceived gestation of the unborn, the abortion clinic has to obtain an ultrasound or else they risk doing the wrong kind of abortion which is malpractice.  

As an ultrasound is a medical procedure, the results should be offered to the patient.  In all aspects of medicine, some patients don’t want or even care to understand the results of tests, but patients should make informed decisions on their health and in order to do that, they should be offered or given the results of their procedure. Not offering results or intentionally hiding results is unethical, and abortion providers don’t want to admit they are unethical.  

By law, doctor’s offices and hospitals must keep patient records for a certain amount of time.  Additionally, by law, abortion providers must submit information to the state surrounding the nature and number of abortions.  This report is titled the Intrauterine Termination of Pregnancy Report(ITOP). The ITOP report, in addition to reporting the type of abortion, also, contained the gestational age of the unborn.  What it did not contain was whether there was a confirmed heartbeat on the ultrasound. As the abortion clinics must keep records and have this information, this new law will require that heartbeat data be submitted, as well.

This past session, the opportunity arose to insert the principles from Womick’s bill into existing legislation.  I called Rick and told him what we were going to do. I worked with the sponsor and we were able to pass the bill with overwhelming support and with Governor Haslam’s signature.

The law is a pro-woman, pro-patient, pro-life piece of legislation that is going to save unborn lives while changing minds as Tennesseans will now know the number of Tennessee heartbeats that the abortion industry takes.  This couldn’t have occurred without the groundwork of Rick Womick.

And like Paul Harvey used to say, now you know the rest of the story.

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Filed Under: NEWS Tagged With: Abortion, Dr. Bryan Terry, Pro Life, Rep. Bryan Terry, Tennessee

DR. TERRY: Updates On Gas Tax, Education, Planned Parenthood, Refugees & More

December 8, 2015 By Admin

Rep. Bryan Terry, MD (District 48)
Rep. Bryan Terry, MD (District 48)

MURFREESBORO, Tenn., Dec. 8, 2015– This fall has been packed with many interesting issues and news for District 48.  From Governor Haslam’s Transportation Listening Tour to the District 48 art contest, there has been a voluminous amount of information that our district should know.  While this update is by no means a complete narrative of all the issues and events, I hope that it provides some insight into what has transpired over the past few months.

ISSUES

  • Transportation: Nothing insofar as a gas tax increase has been proposed. TDOT has not yet supplied me with a long term projection of their budget. Been working with others to restore funding to TDOT from the general fund, as well as require TDOT to prioritize their projects before any vote on any funding changes takes place.  I stand by my previous statement in that I don’t see a simple gas tax increase being successful in 2016.
  • Education:  There have been a lot of concerns about 7th grade standards involving Islamo-centric materials.  A bill has been proposed by Rep. Butt that may address part of the issue.  I’ve been working with Rep. Butt and other Reps on a solution to this issue and it may require amending Rep. Butt’s bill or filing another bill. Education standards review is underway.  Please, participate.  My team and others have reviewed the standards committee members set forth from HB1035 and are still gathering information for confirmation in 2016.  Testing has been a big issue with teachers and students.  I have spoken with teachers, parents, students, and other representatives and am looking for answers and solutions.  Transparency is a huge issue.
  • Planned Parenthood: Worked with Chairman Sexton and sent a formal letter of inquiry to Planned Parenthood.  They confirmed receiving state money through TennCare, but not for abortions.  They denied selling aborted parts for profit nor claimed to be violating any laws.  I’m working with others and have been in frequent contact with the Governor’s office on this issue.
  • Refugee Resettlement: This is a big issue right now that will require state and federal input.  The Attorney General, at the behest of three Democrat legislators, offered an opinion that Tennessee cannot halt the influx of refugees.  Governor Haslam has asked for notification from the Federal program and more involvement from the state level.  He has asked for a pause in the Federal program.  The Feds should halt the influx of any potential risky refugees to our country and states should have control of who gets relocated within their borders.  This is a 10th Amendment issue.  However, as an open state border society, it is difficult to stop anyone from coming to Tennessee through another state.  A process should be in place where Tennessee can keep track of refugees assigned to our state.
  • In-state tuition for children of illegal immigrants: This bill came up last session and I voted against it.  I don’t see that bill passing especially with the Federal Courts essentially proclaiming DACA(Obama amnesty) unconstitutional.  
  • Budget: We continue to see a surplus well above and beyond budget projections.  We need to look at our underfunded Rainy Day fund, cutting taxes, or using the funds when looking at our Transportation funding mechanism. Know that Education and Health budgets(as well as others) must be reviewed. The prudent thing is to place the funds in our Rainy day fund while we continue to evaluate budgetary needs versus mandated growth.  
  • Bilateral Session: We are putting in a session where federal and state level officials meet to discuss the needs of Tennesseans.  This is BIG NEWS if we can accomplish this endeavor.
  • Insure Tennessee:  Governor Haslam stated that he doesn’t see Insure Tennessee passing in 2016.  Neither do I.  
  • Bills: I have a slate of bills that I have been working on.  I am meeting with other Reps and discussing the bills before I look to file them.

DISTRICT NEWS

  • District 48 High School Art Contest on January 9 will be held at Patterson Park.  Guest jurors include local artist Norris Hall and reporter Scott Broden amongst others.
  • Governor Haslam was a guest at an event for Portico and their Mobile Ultrasound Unit.  
  • Spoke with MTSU Republicans at a legislative forum on MTSU’s campus.
  • Spoke to Central Magnet School students and am partnering with them on an issue.
  • First ever Providers and Politics Event to bring awareness of legislation to health care providers in Rutherford County was held at Reeves-Sain Pharmacy.
  • Held the first ever Pigs and Politics at Slick Pig to help provide information to the community.
  • TEAM TERRY has been reassembled and added to for the upcoming campaign.  If you would like to join, please, contact us at BryanTerry4TN@gmail.com

I believe in keeping constituents informed.  This update is just a brief description of various issues or events that have occurred and not an in depth analysis of all the issues and my opinions.  Please, contact me or my office for more information.

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Filed Under: NEWS Tagged With: Abortion, Bryan Terry, Common Core, District 48, Dr. Bryan Terry, Gas Tax, Insure Tennessee, Murfreesboro, Planned Parenthood, Refugees, Rep. Bryan Terry, Syrian Refugees, Tennessee

Rep. Terry: Capitol Hill Updates (March 23-27) Abortion, Tobacco, And More

March 29, 2015 By Admin

Terry-300x300MURFREESBORO, March 29, 2015–  The week ending on March 27 had some very positive moments for legislation that I was a primary co-sponsor.

On Tuesday, four bills I co-prime sponsored passed in the Health subcommittee. HB 1339 prohibits the use of EBT cards to purchase certain tobacco products. With all the health issues surrounding tobacco, we must be proactive in order to decrease the cost to the state. This bill may help curtail tobacco related health problems with those receiving taxpayer funded benefits.

In addition, HB 977 and HB 1368 passed out of our Health subcommittee. These bills are pro woman and pro life. They will restore the informed consent, the 48 hour waiting period, and the safety regulations for abortion clinics that had been previously struck down in 2000 by the Planned Parenthood v Sundquist decision. HB 980 established and maintains an online registry for Medical Spas. This is a very important step in protecting patients from fly by night medical spas that have inadequate patient protections. Sign our petition to help get these bills passed.

On Thursday, five bills that I was a co-primary sponsor passed on the House floor and will be awaiting the Governor’s signature to become law. Those were HB’s 429, 76, 670, 476, and 418. These bills were pro-education, pro-economy, pro-taxpayer. They were overwhelming supported by the General Assembly.

As always, I am humbled and honored to be your state representative.

With Liberty,

Dr. Bryan Terry

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Filed Under: NEWS Tagged With: Abortion, Capitol, District 48, Dr. Bryan Terry, Rep. Bryan Terry, Tennessee

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