Local state rep praised for 'Viagra bill'

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE/AP) - A Kentucky state lawmaker has filed a bill that would require men to have at least two office visits and swear on a Bible they are married before a doctor could prescribe them erectile dysfunction medication.

The bill by State Representative Mary Lou Marzian, a Democrat from Louisville, is in response to Republican Gov. Matt Bevin signing a bill last week requiring women to consult with a doctor at least 24 hours before an abortion.

"We do not want government involved in personal, private medical matters," Marzian said.

In the days after filing the legislation, which has been dubbed the "Viagra bill," Marzian said she received hundreds of e-mails from people all over the country.

People as far away as Alaska and Maine and written into the representative.

Many people have applauded her. "Your bill put a smile on my face," one e-mail read.

"Thank you for House Bill 396," another wrote.

Some opposed the measure, though. One man wrote Marzian saying he thought the bill was the "stupidest thing he's ever heard" and a "waste of taxpayer money."

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Marzian admits the bill has no chance of passing, but she says those worried about that are missing the point.

"Do you want the Kentucky legislature and Governor Matt Bevin sitting in the exam room with you and your physician? No!" Marzian said.

Marzian, who is a retired nurse of 38 years, says she plans on asking the chair of the Health and Welfare Committee for a hearing on the bill.

WAVE 3 News reached out to Governor Bevin's office for comment, but has yet to receive a response.

Other state lawmakers have filed similar bills to make political points. In 2012, a bill from an Ohio state senator required men to get a psychological evaluation before getting a prescription for Viagra, and last year a South Carolina state representative filed a bill that would require men to wait 24 hours before getting a prescription.

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