Ky. bill would require men seeking Viagra to get note from wives

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, a Kentucky Democrat who is a nurse. She told the Courier-Journal newspaper that the legislation is aimed at protecting the health of Kentucky’s men. She wants to make sure they understand the potentially dangerous side effects of erectile dysfunction drugs.

The bill also would require that doctors “prescribe a drug for erectile dysfunction only to a man who is currently married” and “require a man to make a sworn statement with his hand on a Bible that he will only use a prescription for a drug for erectile dysfunction when having sexual relations with his current spouse.”

The bill would also require the current spouse to give the man a signed and dated letter providing her consent for the prescription.

“This is about family values,” Marzian told the Courier-Journal.

It is also about Kentucky’s anti-abortion measures, she acknowledged to the newspaper.

Gov. Matt Bevin, who wants to dismantle the state’s health insurance exchange, recently signed a law that requires a woman seeking an abortion to get counseling 24 hours in advance of the procedure from a health professional.

Marzian, who is an abortion-rights advocate, said her bill is meant to protest the interference of Kentucky’s General Assembly into women’s health. The Assembly’s members are predominantly male.

"Do we really want a bunch or legislators interfering in private, personal, medical decisions?" she asked, allowing to the newspaper that she doesn’t expect the erectile dysfunction bill to get very far.

Marzian introduced her legislation as abortion opponents are gaining ground in the statehouse. Earlier this month a bill that would require doctors to perform ultrasounds prior to abortion and to describe what is seen to the pregnant woman cleared the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection Committee.

Marzian has said she's bracing for more Republican attempts to force House votes on abortion bills in the final weeks of this year's legislative session.

"Republicans saying that they want a less-intrusive government don't mind getting between a woman's decision and her doctor," she said.

Marzian said she also plans to file a bill requiring potential gun buyers to obtain counseling 24 hours in advance from victims of gun violence before the purchase.

"I'm just making sure the government is taking care of your safety," she told the newspaper.

Al Jazeera with The Associated Press