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Utah governor eyes bill requiring abortion anesthesia
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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The governor of Utah is considering whether to sign a bill that would make Utah the first state to require doctors to give anesthesia to women having an abortion at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later.

The law passed by the state Legislature is based on the disputed premise that a fetus can feel pain at that point.

Many doctors in Utah and throughout the country are concerned that the proposal could pose a risk to women because fetal anesthesia is unnecessary.

Supporters of the proposal say a fetus should be protected if there's even a chance it can feel pain.

Utah's Republican Gov. Gary Herbert hasn't said if he'll sign the bill but says he supports the general concept.

State law currently gives women the choice of having anesthesia to reduce potential pain to a fetus during an abortion.