Republicans in South Dakota who are sponsoring yet another absurdly draconian anti-abortion law are completely clueless as to what Planned Parenthood actually does.

Republican state Sen. Al Novstrup (pictured, above) one of the bill’s main sponsors, said that he views the legislation not as a fresh set of “restrictions” on abortion, but more as an effort to ensure women are “getting a second opinion.”

“It’s a fairly simple bill that’s … Currently Planned Parenthood is providing no counseling, no substantial information and basically putting the lady on the table with a surgery gown before she meets a doctor. First time she meets a doctor she’s on the table and it’s an abortionist. It’s not a real informative way of doing business.

“So what we want them to do is sit down and visit with someone for half an hour, then drive back, and if she wants to continue with the process then she’s welcome to. It’s asking her to get a second opinion.”

He added: “It’s not a medical second opinion. It’s just additional information.”

That’s a point of contention to many pro-choice activists and even the American Civil Liberties Union, which has expressed concern that some information passed on by the “crisis pregnancy centers” may be outdated or even outright deceptive. …

In spite of Novstrup’s claims, Planned Parenthood actually provides a multitude of counseling and educational services. In 2009, PPFA volunteers reportedly reached over 1.9 million people with educational materials on reproductive health, pregnancy and dozens of other topics. They were also a key bulwark in the fight against sexually transmitted diseases, carrying out nearly 4 million tests in 2009.

Asked how S. Dakota could ensure accurate information was being passed on to women from pregnancy centers, Novstrup did not seem concerned.

“Well, you know, we don’t have to go to a perfect situation. We just have to go to a better situation than we have.”

He added that PPFA has a “financial motive to go forward with the abortion,” adding that it’s a “biased position” to “financially benefit by the decision to go forward.”

Reminded that Planned Parenthood is not a for-profit venture, Novstrup countered: “I don’t know if you’d call ‘em for profit. They’re sure taking the money.”

PPFA’s services are paid for by customers, with costs partially subsidized by taxpayers to keep services affordable. The same services are exponentially more expensive at private hospitals and clinics.

Challenged on the medical efficacy of requiring patients to chat with non-medical personnel, Novstrup seemed taken aback and simply moved on to a different point.

This is a classic example of the pure hateful ignorance driving the Republican war on women’s rights.