Click here for the video.
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Illinois Federation for Right to Life
2600 State Street, Suite E
Alton, IL 62002
Phone: 618-466-4122
Fax: 618-466-4134
Web: www.ifrl.org
E-mail: mail@ifrl.org
March 4, 2011
Possibly the best Pro-Life Ad
There have been some good pro-life ads, but a new one by American Life League may just be the best. Entitled "Planned Parenthood's Bunnies," it not only promotes defunding the abortion behemoth, it shows the reality of abortion in an imaginative yet nongraphic way. What do you think?
Click here for the video.
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Illinois Federation for Right to Life
Click here for the video.
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Illinois Federation for Right to Life
Action Alert - Vote YES for the Pence Amendment
Please contact our two US Senators immediately to tell them to vote YES for the Pence Amendment, which would eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood.
The Pence Amendment, which passed in the House of Representatives, will be voted on by the Senate and of course Planned Parenthood has pulled out all stops and they are spending tens of thousands of dollars and more to defeat the Pence Amendment.
Planned Parenthood, which is the largest provider of abortions in the United States, should not be using our tax dollars to kill babies. Last year PP received $360 million of our tax dollars.
We need our Senators to vote YES for the Pence Amendment. Make the call NOW and encourage others to do it too.
Phone numbers:
Senator Richard Durbin, 202-224-2152
Senator Mark Kirk, 202-224-2854
February 25, 2011
Abortion money on college campuses
The group Students for Life has released a survey indicating the degree to which parents are paying for abortion coverage for youngsters in college.
The idea for the research began when Students for Life discovered that medical insurance for students at the University of North Carolina includes abortion. The group's executive director, Kristan Hawkins, decided to look at insurance coverage at 200 of the country's better known schools.
"[We found that] 194 out of the 200 schools offer some sort of school-sponsored healthcare plan," she tells OneNewsNow. "So this is a plan that either the students are being forced to have, or it's offered at a reduced rate for kids who don't have health insurance.
She adds that at 86 of those 194 schools (44.3%), the school-sponsored healthcare plans cover elective abortions. Another shocker was learning that 44 percent of those schools automatically charge students for the healthcare plan -- meaning that many pro-life students and parents are financially underwriting abortion.
Hawkins also reports the results from an examination of federal grants.
"If a student is receiving any federal grant -- federal money that they don't have to pay back; [money] that you and I are paying -- the students can be applying this federal grant to pay for this abortion healthcare," she notes. "That directly violates the Henry Hyde Amendment, which bans taxpayer funding of abortion...and no one's asking these questions."
Even though Students for Life has addressed the questions with letters to federal officials, no answers have yet been offered.
Contact: Charlie Butts
Source: OneNewsNow
The idea for the research began when Students for Life discovered that medical insurance for students at the University of North Carolina includes abortion. The group's executive director, Kristan Hawkins, decided to look at insurance coverage at 200 of the country's better known schools.
"[We found that] 194 out of the 200 schools offer some sort of school-sponsored healthcare plan," she tells OneNewsNow. "So this is a plan that either the students are being forced to have, or it's offered at a reduced rate for kids who don't have health insurance.
She adds that at 86 of those 194 schools (44.3%), the school-sponsored healthcare plans cover elective abortions. Another shocker was learning that 44 percent of those schools automatically charge students for the healthcare plan -- meaning that many pro-life students and parents are financially underwriting abortion.
Hawkins also reports the results from an examination of federal grants.
"If a student is receiving any federal grant -- federal money that they don't have to pay back; [money] that you and I are paying -- the students can be applying this federal grant to pay for this abortion healthcare," she notes. "That directly violates the Henry Hyde Amendment, which bans taxpayer funding of abortion...and no one's asking these questions."
Even though Students for Life has addressed the questions with letters to federal officials, no answers have yet been offered.
Contact: Charlie Butts
Source: OneNewsNow
Illinois Federation for Right to Life
2600 State Street, Suite E
Alton, IL 62002
Phone: 618-466-4122
Fax: 618-466-4134
Web: www.ifrl.org
E-mail: mail@ifrl.org
Planned Parenthood expected to fight back
The House has voiced its opinion about Planned Parenthood and said federal funding of the abortion-provider should stop.
In debate on a Continuing Resolution to provide funding for the federal government, the House yesterday approved the Pence Amendment, de-funding Planned Parenthood for 2011. Douglas Johnson of the National Right to Life Committee responds.
"The landmark vote really demonstrates that most House members now recognize Planned Parenthood is a hyper-political, under-regulated, and out-of-control mega-marketer of abortion," states Johnson.
Now the Senate will have to take up the spending bill with the House-approved Planned Parenthood de-funding amendment. Johnson likes that idea. "Each senator is going to have to go on record as to whether to push the snout of this bloated abortion marketer, Planned Parenthood, out of the U.S. Treasury," he says.
The pro-life leader promises that the debate in the Senate will likely be a battle royal.
"The Planned Parenthood Federation has enormous financial resources. It's a billion-dollar-plus corporation [and] they get one-third of their money from government sources," he explains. "They are going to fight back vehemently on this and try to bring all of their political assets to bear on the Senate."
But Johnson adds that voters can bring enormous pressure to bear by contacting their senators and asking them to approve elimination of government Planned Parenthood funding.
Friday's vote came in the aftermath of undercover videos showing clinic staff in three states telling a man and woman, posing as a pimp and prostitute, how to obtain services, including abortions, for underage prostitutes.
Contact: Charlie Butts
Source: OneNewsNow
Illinois Federation for Right to Life
In debate on a Continuing Resolution to provide funding for the federal government, the House yesterday approved the Pence Amendment, de-funding Planned Parenthood for 2011. Douglas Johnson of the National Right to Life Committee responds.
"The landmark vote really demonstrates that most House members now recognize Planned Parenthood is a hyper-political, under-regulated, and out-of-control mega-marketer of abortion," states Johnson.
Now the Senate will have to take up the spending bill with the House-approved Planned Parenthood de-funding amendment. Johnson likes that idea. "Each senator is going to have to go on record as to whether to push the snout of this bloated abortion marketer, Planned Parenthood, out of the U.S. Treasury," he says.
The pro-life leader promises that the debate in the Senate will likely be a battle royal.
"The Planned Parenthood Federation has enormous financial resources. It's a billion-dollar-plus corporation [and] they get one-third of their money from government sources," he explains. "They are going to fight back vehemently on this and try to bring all of their political assets to bear on the Senate."
But Johnson adds that voters can bring enormous pressure to bear by contacting their senators and asking them to approve elimination of government Planned Parenthood funding.
Friday's vote came in the aftermath of undercover videos showing clinic staff in three states telling a man and woman, posing as a pimp and prostitute, how to obtain services, including abortions, for underage prostitutes.
Contact: Charlie Butts
Source: OneNewsNow
Illinois Federation for Right to Life
2600 State Street, Suite E
Alton, IL 62002
Phone: 618-466-4122
Fax: 618-466-4134
Web: www.ifrl.org
E-mail: mail@ifrl.org
The Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network Joins Fight to Save Baby Joseph
Terri Schiavo's brother, Bobby Schindler, to meet the Maraachli family in London, Ontario
An infinitely precious innocent life hangs in the balance, as a family is pitted against the medical establishment in a battle for the life of their little boy. The Terri Schiavo Life and Hope Network is entering the battle and stands with the family of Baby Joseph Maraachli. Bobby Schindler meets with the family of baby Joseph who is pleading with the hospital to bring the sick child home during his last days. The hospital is fighting to remove Joseph's life sustaining treatment.
"It is unacceptable for Canadian Health Allocation Officials and/or the Canadian Government to make decisions for Joseph that will end his life and deny the wishes of his loving parents," says Suzanne Vitadamo, spokesperson for the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network (and Terri's sister). "Every patient, regardless of age, has a right to proper and dignified health care. It is frightening to once again see government usurp the God given rights of parents to love and care for their child at home, especially when the child is dying."
Vitadamo went on to say "this is alarming. No hospital has the right to end the life of a child. It's the parent's right to bring Joseph home and care for him if they choose. How do parents lose their choice in such a tender matter?"
Terri's Network urges everyone to keep baby Joseph and his entire family in their prayers.
The Network was established due to the increasing need to help families of vulnerable patients facing crisis situations like this. If anyone knows of a medical facility that would accept baby Joseph on a transfer please contact Terri's Network at 1-855-300-HOPE (4673).
Contact: Brimstone Services
Source: Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network
Source: Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network
Illinois Federation for Right to Life
2600 State Street, Suite E
Alton, IL 62002
Phone: 618-466-4122
Fax: 618-466-4134
Web: www.ifrl.org
E-mail: mail@ifrl.org
HHS Decision to Overturn Protections for Pro-Life Docs Could Hurt Pregnancy Centers
Care Net President Melinda Delahoyde responded to news that the Obama Administration has overturned regulations that were designed to undergird the long-standing conscience protection laws for healthcare professionals. On Friday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services both rescinded and amended sections of the regulations previously approved by the Bush Administration. "The net result is that much of the original purpose and intent behind the regulations has been gutted, leaving a document that does not clearly ensure the protection of conscience rights for all healthcare workers in every instance," said Delahoyde.
"Our nation's physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers have the right to practice medicine without violating their conscience. Removing these protections may ultimately have the impact of removing these individuals of integrity from the field of medicine entirely," Delahoyde said. "That's not an action that we as Americans are willing to accept."
Delahoyde said that her network of 1,130 pregnancy center affiliates could feel the damaging blow of this action. "Pregnancy centers empower women facing unplanned pregnancy to choose abortion alternatives," Delahoyde said. "To accomplish this, we offer critical, free medical services, such as limited obstetrical ultrasounds and STD testing. Because of our commitment to providing alternatives to abortion, we rely on the availability of pro-life medical professionals -- nurses, physicians, sonographers and others. If the rights of these individuals are violated, then they will simply leave the field of practice or not enter it altogether. With more than 580 pregnancy centers in the Care Net network that offer medical services, we're simply not willing to take that risk."
Care Net's National Medical Consultant Sandy Christiansen, MD was interviewed by CNN to share her story of discrimination during her residency. Dr. Christiansen now serves as the medical director of Care Net Pregnancy Center of Frederick, MD. Read Dr. Christiansen's comments before the President's Council on Bioethics regarding the need for conscience protections.
Contact: Kristin Hansen
Source: Care Net
2600 State Street, Suite E
Alton, IL 62002
Phone: 618-466-4122
Fax: 618-466-4134
Web: www.ifrl.org
E-mail: mail@ifrl.org
House OKs bill with pro-life provisions
Pro-life leaders cheered passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of spending legislation that bans federal money for abortion providers and promoters, including Planned Parenthood.
The House voted 235-189 early Feb. 19 on a continuing resolution to extend funding for federal agencies until the end of the fiscal year. Congress failed to pass a budget last year, adopting instead a resolution that continued funding for the federal government through March 4. The newly approved resolution would provide funds for the government to operate through Sept. 30.
Included in the House-passed overall bill that cut about $61 billion from last year's spending level were the following pro-life measures:
-- Prohibition of all funds under the resolution for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and its affiliates, a network that constitutes the country's No. 1 abortion provider.
-- Reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy, which would bar federal money for organizations that perform or promote abortions overseas.
-- Restoration of a ban on funds for the United Nations Population Fund, which has been found to support China's coercive population control program.
-- Reinstitution of a prohibition on the use of federal and congressionally approved local funds for elective abortions in the District of Columbia.
The House adopted the ban on federal funds for Planned Parenthood as an amendment Feb. 18. The roll-call vote was 240-185. The other pro-life provisions were part of the original resolution offered by the new Republican leadership.
"Elections have consequences," Southern Baptist ethicist Richard Land said of the House's pro-life actions. "The American people elected 87 new Republican congressmen, which is 20 percent of the House membership. They are largely responsible for this being the most pro-life Congress during my 22-year tenure at the [Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission].
"This legislation is a direct result of the American people, who are becoming more pro-life with every passing year, electing representatives who are more pro-life. That's the way representative government is supposed to work," said Land, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins commended the spending cuts in the bill, adding in a written statement it "also fights back against the culture of death that has grown even larger under [President Obama]. House Republican [leaders] and all those who voted positively today deserve our sincere thanks."
Planned Parenthood and its abortion-rights allies decried the House's pro-life votes.
PPFA President Cecile Richards called the amendment defunding her organization "an extreme and dangerous piece of legislation."
"It now falls to Senators from both parties to join together to reject this extreme approach, restore common sense and guarantee that Planned Parenthood and the millions of Americans who count on us for health care are protected," Richards said in a written release.
The pro-life provisions in the spending bills are likely to find strong opposition in the Democrat-controlled Senate. If senators pass a continuing resolution that differs from that of the House, which is expected, a conference committee of members of both chambers will negotiate to present a final bill to their colleagues.
The defunding of Planned Parenthood was the most noteworthy of the pro-life victories in the spending debate and vote. It was apparently the first time ever a chamber of Congress has voted to defund the organization, which recorded more than 324,000 abortions at its clinics in 2008, the most recent year for which statistics are available.
PPFA and its affiliates received $363.2 million in government grants and contracts during the 2008-09 fiscal year. Some of that total came from state and local governments.
The continuing resolution also included a provision eliminating funds for both Title X, the federal government's family planning program, and implementation of last year's health care reform law. PPFA is the leading recipient of Title X funds. Although Title X funds do not go directly for abortions, pro-life advocates contend federal money frees up other contributions to Planned Parenthood for the promotion and performance of abortions.
House approval of the amendment to defund PPFA followed nearly three weeks of damaging publicity for the organization. Hidden-camera videos secretly recorded at six of the organization's clinics and released Feb. 1-8 showed employees demonstrating an apparent willingness to aid sex traffickers whose prostitutes are in their early teens.
Live Action -- a youth-driven pro-life organization -- released video footage from secret investigations at clinics in New Jersey, New York and Virginia that showed Planned Parenthood staff signaling cooperation with a self-described pimp in providing birth control, testing for sexually transmitted diseases and/or abortions for his alleged under-age sex workers. An undercover audio from a Planned Parenthood clinic in Washington, D.C., released Feb. 10 revealed a similar response from a staff member.
PPFA had recently issued new rules requiring at least one clinic per affiliate to perform abortions.
The roll call on the defunding amendment sponsored by Rep. Mike Pence, R.-Ind., was largely along party lines. Ten Democrats joined 230 Republicans in supporting the proposal, while 7 GOP members voted with 178 Democrats in opposition.
The Democrats who voted for Pence's amendment were Reps. Dan Boren of Oklahoma, Jerry Costello of Illinois, Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Dan Lipinski of Illinois, Mike McIntyre of North Carolina, Collin Peterson of Minnesota, Nick Rahall of West Virginia, Silvestre Reyes of Texas, Mike Ross of Arkansas and Heath Shuler of North Carolina
The Republicans who opposed the amendment were Reps. Charles Bass of New Hampshire, Judy Biggert of Illinois, Mary Bono Mack of California, Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania, Robert Dold of Illinois, Rodney Frelinghuysen of New Jersey and Richard Hanna of New York.
The roll call on the overall spending bill was even closer to a party-line vote. All 235 votes in favor were from Republicans, while three GOP members joined 186 Democrats in opposition.
Contact: Tom Strode
Source: Baptist Press
The House voted 235-189 early Feb. 19 on a continuing resolution to extend funding for federal agencies until the end of the fiscal year. Congress failed to pass a budget last year, adopting instead a resolution that continued funding for the federal government through March 4. The newly approved resolution would provide funds for the government to operate through Sept. 30.
Included in the House-passed overall bill that cut about $61 billion from last year's spending level were the following pro-life measures:
-- Prohibition of all funds under the resolution for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and its affiliates, a network that constitutes the country's No. 1 abortion provider.
-- Reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy, which would bar federal money for organizations that perform or promote abortions overseas.
-- Restoration of a ban on funds for the United Nations Population Fund, which has been found to support China's coercive population control program.
-- Reinstitution of a prohibition on the use of federal and congressionally approved local funds for elective abortions in the District of Columbia.
The House adopted the ban on federal funds for Planned Parenthood as an amendment Feb. 18. The roll-call vote was 240-185. The other pro-life provisions were part of the original resolution offered by the new Republican leadership.
"Elections have consequences," Southern Baptist ethicist Richard Land said of the House's pro-life actions. "The American people elected 87 new Republican congressmen, which is 20 percent of the House membership. They are largely responsible for this being the most pro-life Congress during my 22-year tenure at the [Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission].
"This legislation is a direct result of the American people, who are becoming more pro-life with every passing year, electing representatives who are more pro-life. That's the way representative government is supposed to work," said Land, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins commended the spending cuts in the bill, adding in a written statement it "also fights back against the culture of death that has grown even larger under [President Obama]. House Republican [leaders] and all those who voted positively today deserve our sincere thanks."
Planned Parenthood and its abortion-rights allies decried the House's pro-life votes.
PPFA President Cecile Richards called the amendment defunding her organization "an extreme and dangerous piece of legislation."
"It now falls to Senators from both parties to join together to reject this extreme approach, restore common sense and guarantee that Planned Parenthood and the millions of Americans who count on us for health care are protected," Richards said in a written release.
The pro-life provisions in the spending bills are likely to find strong opposition in the Democrat-controlled Senate. If senators pass a continuing resolution that differs from that of the House, which is expected, a conference committee of members of both chambers will negotiate to present a final bill to their colleagues.
The defunding of Planned Parenthood was the most noteworthy of the pro-life victories in the spending debate and vote. It was apparently the first time ever a chamber of Congress has voted to defund the organization, which recorded more than 324,000 abortions at its clinics in 2008, the most recent year for which statistics are available.
PPFA and its affiliates received $363.2 million in government grants and contracts during the 2008-09 fiscal year. Some of that total came from state and local governments.
The continuing resolution also included a provision eliminating funds for both Title X, the federal government's family planning program, and implementation of last year's health care reform law. PPFA is the leading recipient of Title X funds. Although Title X funds do not go directly for abortions, pro-life advocates contend federal money frees up other contributions to Planned Parenthood for the promotion and performance of abortions.
House approval of the amendment to defund PPFA followed nearly three weeks of damaging publicity for the organization. Hidden-camera videos secretly recorded at six of the organization's clinics and released Feb. 1-8 showed employees demonstrating an apparent willingness to aid sex traffickers whose prostitutes are in their early teens.
Live Action -- a youth-driven pro-life organization -- released video footage from secret investigations at clinics in New Jersey, New York and Virginia that showed Planned Parenthood staff signaling cooperation with a self-described pimp in providing birth control, testing for sexually transmitted diseases and/or abortions for his alleged under-age sex workers. An undercover audio from a Planned Parenthood clinic in Washington, D.C., released Feb. 10 revealed a similar response from a staff member.
PPFA had recently issued new rules requiring at least one clinic per affiliate to perform abortions.
The roll call on the defunding amendment sponsored by Rep. Mike Pence, R.-Ind., was largely along party lines. Ten Democrats joined 230 Republicans in supporting the proposal, while 7 GOP members voted with 178 Democrats in opposition.
The Democrats who voted for Pence's amendment were Reps. Dan Boren of Oklahoma, Jerry Costello of Illinois, Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Dan Lipinski of Illinois, Mike McIntyre of North Carolina, Collin Peterson of Minnesota, Nick Rahall of West Virginia, Silvestre Reyes of Texas, Mike Ross of Arkansas and Heath Shuler of North Carolina
The Republicans who opposed the amendment were Reps. Charles Bass of New Hampshire, Judy Biggert of Illinois, Mary Bono Mack of California, Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania, Robert Dold of Illinois, Rodney Frelinghuysen of New Jersey and Richard Hanna of New York.
The roll call on the overall spending bill was even closer to a party-line vote. All 235 votes in favor were from Republicans, while three GOP members joined 186 Democrats in opposition.
Contact: Tom Strode
Source: Baptist Press
Illinois Federation for Right to Life
2600 State Street, Suite E
Alton, IL 62002
Phone: 618-466-4122
Fax: 618-466-4134
Web: www.ifrl.org
E-mail: mail@ifrl.org
Obama administration rolls back medical workers' conscience protections
President Obama's Secretary for Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, issued new regulations on Feb. 17, canceling out numerous conscience protections for health care workers who have moral or religious objections to certain procedures.
The new rules claim to leave in place the protections for health care providers who oppose abortion and sterilization. However, they remove many other protections for caregivers, including those who are morally opposed to providing services such as in vitro fertilization, contraception – including chemical contraceptives that can cause an abortion – and facilitating sexual practices they consider wrong.
In her report describing the changes, Sebelius criticizes the Bush-era regulations, which clarified the rights of many conscientious objectors to opt of procedures, as "unclear and potentially overly broad in scope."
Sebelius acknowledged in the final report that "a substantial number of comments in opposition to rescinding the 2008 Final Rule maintained that Roman Catholic hospitals would have to close, that rescission of the rule would limit access to pro-life counseling, and that providers would either leave the health care industry or choose not to enter it."
In her Feb. 17 report, Sebelius sought to respond to Catholic health workers' concerns by noting that "under this partial rescission of the 2008 Final Rule, Roman Catholic hospitals will still have the same statutory protections afforded to them as have been for decades."
However, it was precisely in order to solidify those decades-old "statutory protections" in significant ways, that the 2008 rule was made in the first place.
"The Department supports the longstanding federal health care provider conscience laws," the secretary continued, "and with this Final Rule provides a clear process to enforce those laws."
The purpose of the 2008 rule, however, was not simply to reiterate the content of existing laws, but to clarify how they should be applied, and to provide explicitly for their enforcement.
For this reason, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops had praised the previous rule as a "much-needed implementation of long-standing laws" – saying it clarified many "undefined terms" that allowed state and local governments to "attack conscience rights as though they do not exist."
With those "much-needed" rules and clarifications gone, Catholic hospitals and health care workers may find themselves facing difficult situations without explicit protections.
Sebelius pointed out that her department would still be willing to receive and consider their complaints.
The portion of the 2008 rule that enables the Office for Civil Rights to investigate complaints from conscientious medical objectors is "being retained," she said.
"Under this Final Rule," she offered, "health care providers who believe their rights were violated will now be able to file a complaint with the Department's Office for Civil Rights in order to seek enforcement of those rights."
Dr. J. Scott Ries, a board-certified family physician and a vice president of ministry at the 16,000-member Christian Medical Association, said the rule change touched on areas of "critical concern for pro-life patients, healthcare professionals and institutions."
"The administration has made changes in a vital civil rights regulation without evidence or justification," Dr. Ries said. He criticized the regulatory action as a move that "diminishes the civil rights that protect conscientious physicians and other healthcare professionals against discrimination."
Contact: Benjamin Mann
Source: CNA/EWTN News
The new rules claim to leave in place the protections for health care providers who oppose abortion and sterilization. However, they remove many other protections for caregivers, including those who are morally opposed to providing services such as in vitro fertilization, contraception – including chemical contraceptives that can cause an abortion – and facilitating sexual practices they consider wrong.
In her report describing the changes, Sebelius criticizes the Bush-era regulations, which clarified the rights of many conscientious objectors to opt of procedures, as "unclear and potentially overly broad in scope."
Sebelius acknowledged in the final report that "a substantial number of comments in opposition to rescinding the 2008 Final Rule maintained that Roman Catholic hospitals would have to close, that rescission of the rule would limit access to pro-life counseling, and that providers would either leave the health care industry or choose not to enter it."
In her Feb. 17 report, Sebelius sought to respond to Catholic health workers' concerns by noting that "under this partial rescission of the 2008 Final Rule, Roman Catholic hospitals will still have the same statutory protections afforded to them as have been for decades."
However, it was precisely in order to solidify those decades-old "statutory protections" in significant ways, that the 2008 rule was made in the first place.
"The Department supports the longstanding federal health care provider conscience laws," the secretary continued, "and with this Final Rule provides a clear process to enforce those laws."
The purpose of the 2008 rule, however, was not simply to reiterate the content of existing laws, but to clarify how they should be applied, and to provide explicitly for their enforcement.
For this reason, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops had praised the previous rule as a "much-needed implementation of long-standing laws" – saying it clarified many "undefined terms" that allowed state and local governments to "attack conscience rights as though they do not exist."
With those "much-needed" rules and clarifications gone, Catholic hospitals and health care workers may find themselves facing difficult situations without explicit protections.
Sebelius pointed out that her department would still be willing to receive and consider their complaints.
The portion of the 2008 rule that enables the Office for Civil Rights to investigate complaints from conscientious medical objectors is "being retained," she said.
"Under this Final Rule," she offered, "health care providers who believe their rights were violated will now be able to file a complaint with the Department's Office for Civil Rights in order to seek enforcement of those rights."
Dr. J. Scott Ries, a board-certified family physician and a vice president of ministry at the 16,000-member Christian Medical Association, said the rule change touched on areas of "critical concern for pro-life patients, healthcare professionals and institutions."
"The administration has made changes in a vital civil rights regulation without evidence or justification," Dr. Ries said. He criticized the regulatory action as a move that "diminishes the civil rights that protect conscientious physicians and other healthcare professionals against discrimination."
Contact: Benjamin Mann
Source: CNA/EWTN News
Illinois Federation for Right to Life
2600 State Street, Suite E
Alton, IL 62002
Phone: 618-466-4122
Fax: 618-466-4134
Web: www.ifrl.org
E-mail: mail@ifrl.org
Drafted Guidelines on Abortion Cover Up Abortion-Breast Cancer Link, Say Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer, Researchers
Putting their wallets ahead of their patients' health much like tobacco executives, abortionists at the United Kingdom's Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) have prepared preliminary, new guidelines on The Care of Women Requesting Induced Abortion that say, "Women should be informed that induced abortion is not associated with an increase in breast cancer." [1]
Illinois Federation for Right to Life "Do they read standard medical texts at the RCOG?" asked Karen Malec, president of the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer. "Increased childbearing, starting at a younger age, and increased duration of breastfeeding sharply reduce breast cancer risk. The woman choosing abortion has a greater risk than the one choosing to give birth.
"The RCOG's guidelines cite a review that says, 'Failure to provide this information is a direct threat to maternal autonomy, diminishing a woman's ability to give informed consent.' [2] The loss of the protective effect is only one of three breast cancer risks associated with induced abortion," said Mrs. Malec.
The guidelines acknowledge a "small increase in risk of subsequent preterm birth, which increases with the number of abortions." [3] Brent Rooney, a researcher in this field, called the RCOG's use of the word, "small," "the language of cover-up."
"Two Americans and three Australians have successfully sued their doctors for failing to warn about the risks of breast cancer and emotional harm," said Mrs. Malec. "It would serve them right at the RCOG to be sued for malpractice."
The closing date for healthcare officials to submit their consultations on the guidelines to the RCOG is February 26, 2011.
International experts on the abortion-breast cancer link have submitted their consultations. They include Professor Joel Brind (Deputy Chair for Biology and Environmental Sciences at Baruch College, City University of New York) and Patrick Carroll (a statistician and actuary from Pension and Population Research Institute in London). Read their submissions and a discussion of the RCOG's preliminary guidelines in the following commentary.
The Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer is an international women's organization founded to protect the health and save the lives of women by educating and providing information on abortion as a risk factor for breast cancer.
References available online at:
www.abortionbreastcancer.com/press_releases/110222/index.htm
Contact: Karen Malec
Source: Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer
2600 State Street, Suite E
Alton, IL 62002
Phone: 618-466-4122
Fax: 618-466-4134
Web: www.ifrl.org
E-mail: mail@ifrl.org
February 18, 2011
U.S. adopting new mindset on adoption
Bethany Christian Services is celebrating a record year for placing adoptive children with new families, but it recognizes that more work needs to be done.
The adoption agency saw a 13-percent increase from 2009 to 2010 as it placed more than 1,900 children with families. That growth is expected to be the result of a number of factors, including the growing acceptance of adopting older children and an increase in international adoptions following the earthquake in Haiti.
"These children are all different types of adoption together," explains ministry spokesman Marc Andreas. "They include some children internationally, they include some children born...here in the United States, and they also include some children adopted out of foster care here in the United States."
But he points out that one of the most heartening figures is the increase in the number of older children who are being adopted, which she says helps ease a "global epidemic."
"A lot of people don't realize [there are] 163 million orphans worldwide, and the most troubling statistic in there is that 95 percent of those children are ages five and older. So, many of those children are the ones who aren't quite as easily interested in, from an adoptive family standpoint," the agency spokesman laments. "So it's our job at Bethany to help promote the needs of those waiting children here in the U.S. and around the world."
But though Bethany Christian Services sees reason to celebrate, they know that adoption is not the only solution to caring for the orphans of the world. So the ministry is actively partnering with church leaders and encouraging them to support foster care, adoption and orphan care within their ministries. Andreas expects 2011 to be another good year because the North American church continues to open up to the global orphan crisis and how believers are called to help meet their needs.
Contact: Charlie Butts
Source: OneNewsNow
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Illinois Federation for Right to Life
The adoption agency saw a 13-percent increase from 2009 to 2010 as it placed more than 1,900 children with families. That growth is expected to be the result of a number of factors, including the growing acceptance of adopting older children and an increase in international adoptions following the earthquake in Haiti.
"These children are all different types of adoption together," explains ministry spokesman Marc Andreas. "They include some children internationally, they include some children born...here in the United States, and they also include some children adopted out of foster care here in the United States."
But he points out that one of the most heartening figures is the increase in the number of older children who are being adopted, which she says helps ease a "global epidemic."
"A lot of people don't realize [there are] 163 million orphans worldwide, and the most troubling statistic in there is that 95 percent of those children are ages five and older. So, many of those children are the ones who aren't quite as easily interested in, from an adoptive family standpoint," the agency spokesman laments. "So it's our job at Bethany to help promote the needs of those waiting children here in the U.S. and around the world."
But though Bethany Christian Services sees reason to celebrate, they know that adoption is not the only solution to caring for the orphans of the world. So the ministry is actively partnering with church leaders and encouraging them to support foster care, adoption and orphan care within their ministries. Andreas expects 2011 to be another good year because the North American church continues to open up to the global orphan crisis and how believers are called to help meet their needs.
Contact: Charlie Butts
Source: OneNewsNow
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Illinois Federation for Right to Life
2600 State Street, Suite E
Alton, IL 62002
Phone: 618-466-4122
Fax: 618-466-4134
Web: www.ifrl.org
E-mail: mail@ifrl.org
Adult stem cell healing powers abound
Adult stem cells continue to make scientific advancements as they have now proved successful in treating burns.
Skin grafts can typically take weeks to work and always pose the threat of complications like infection or rejection of a donor's skin. Dr. David Prentice, senior fellow for life sciences at the Family Research Council (FRC), tells OneNewsNow the latest breakthrough comes from research at the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine in Pittsburgh.
"[They] can take a patient's own adult stem cells, and they literally spray on skin-forming stem cells, kind of like you were spray painting," Dr. Prentice explains. "They've shown that they can use it to regenerate skin and protect after burns."
David Prentice (FRC)And in one case involving severe burns, complete healing took place within four days. Another group in Utah is using a similar technique to spray on skin for diabetic ulcers and non-healing wounds that have taken more than a year to heal.
"[They'll] heal up within just a few days. This is just amazing stuff," the life sciences senior fellow contends. "And again, what they've done is they're taking your own adult stem cells from skin or from bone marrow [and] just spraying them on so that you have a healing coating over these wounds."
Prentice adds that nothing dies with the use of adult stem cells, which currently treat more than 70 illnesses and medical conditions. Meanwhile, research on human embryos, which involves killing tiny human beings, has produced zero results.
Contact: Charlie Butts
Source: OneNewsNow
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Illinois Federation for Right to Life
2600 State Street, Suite E
Alton, IL 62002
Phone: 618-466-4122
Fax: 618-466-4134
Web: www.ifrl.org
E-mail: mail@ifrl.org
Dream Team: Ex-Planned Parenthood director Abby Johnson joins Lila Rose and Live Action
It's pro-life's assemblage of the Chicago Bulls of the 90s, a match made in pro-life heaven against Planned Parenthood.
Live Action today announced former PP abortion clinic director Abby Johnson, author of the bestseller, unPlanned, has joined its team as Chief Research Strategist. As a former PP Employee of the Year, Abby will make a wonderful expert adviser. From the press statement:
"Abby Johnson has seen the abuses inside Planned Parenthood with her own eyes and confirms the danger its clinics pose to women and young girls," stated Live Action President Lila Rose. "She is a courageous trailblazer despite Planned Parenthood's desperate attempts to attack her and silence the truth. We are thrilled and very thankful to have Abby join our team and are confident that her first-hand experience, conviction and guidance will provide invaluable counsel to Live Action as we advance our common goal of protecting women and children from the abuses of PP."…
"I can tell you from experience that PP often turns a blind eye to sexual abuse and trafficking – what you see in Live Action's videos is not a rare occurrence. But ignorance is no defense, especially when it has turned their clinics into a safe haven for those who sexually exploit women and girls. This is not a training problem so much as it is an ideology problem. I am humbled and eager to begin this partnership with Live Action so that together we can expose the serious harm Planned Parenthood poses to the most vulnerable among us."
Contact: Jill Stanek
Source: JillStanek.com
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Illinois Federation for Right to Life
2600 State Street, Suite E
Alton, IL 62002
Phone: 618-466-4122
Fax: 618-466-4134
Web: www.ifrl.org
E-mail: mail@ifrl.org
Euthanasia Update
In Quebec Canada: Quebec will hold hearings on "assisted suicide" during "Suicide Prevention Week". RU kidding?
In Belgium: Another study has been published, which shows the practice of euthanasia for organ donation. People are being pressured to die, in order to provide healthy organs.
In France: The euthanasia debate is ongoing, however, the Senate defeated a bill to legalize euthanasia last week. This will not be the end of the debate.
In Oregon: Death With Dignity released it's 2010 report. Remember assisted suicide is legal in Oregon. So, it is not surprising that the number of assisted suicides have increased. There were 59 reported deaths from the 96 lethal prescriptions, that were written, with an additional deaths from lethal prescriptions from previous years (96 prescriptions & 59 deaths don't add up). Oregon stats continue to indicate that elder abuse is likely. Those who died by assisted suicide indicated that 61 (93.8%) of the people, felt a loss of autonomy, 61 (93.8%) felt a decreasing ability to participate in activities, while 51 (78.5%) of the people felt they had lost dignity.
In Montana: Montana's Court had allowed legalized euthanasia, but Senator Greg Hinkle has introduced Senate Bill 116, that would reverse the court decision and prohibit assisted suicide. The debate continues. The outcome is uncertain.
In Vermont: There is a proposed bill to legalize assisted suicide. The Governor will sign the bill.
In Hawaii: A bill has been introduced to legalize assisted suicide. It is Senate Bill 803. The Hawaii State Senate Health Committee has voted to hold the bill to legalize assisted suicide. It will return.
In Idaho: A bill has been introduced on assisted suicide.
As you can see, the euthanasia proponents are as committed to this issue, as they are to abortion. Abortion is here. Euthanasia though still new, needs to be understood by all pro-lifers, just as they understand abortion.
Source: Lake County Right to Life
Illinois Federation for Right to Life
2600 State Street, Suite E
Alton, IL 62002
Phone: 618-466-4122
Fax: 618-466-4134
Web: www.ifrl.org
E-mail: mail@ifrl.org
Planned Parenthood Staffer Tells "Pimp" He Can Pose As Guardian To Get Tax Payer Funded Services For Underage Sex Workers
When told by a man posing as a pimp that he needs help with girls he manages as young as 14-15 years old, a Bronx New York Planned Parenthood Staffer is unphased and offers to go one better: "We see people as young as 13....everything is totally confidential."
New undercover Live Action footage from inside a Bronx, NY Planned Parenthood clinic for the first time shows a Planned Parenthood Supervisor/Practitioner willing to assist a man posing as a pimp, even offering guidance on how the pimp's underage girls can get insurance through tax payer funded programs to pay for abortions and other services even if the underage girls that are not U.S. citizens..
Click here for the video.
Planned Parenthood Supervisor/Practitioner: I'm one of the practitioners here.
Pimp: Oh, ok. I was wondering, uh, do you have a moment?
Planned Parenthood Supervisor/Practitioner: Mhm
Pimp: I was wondering, um, so like is this still confidential?
Planned Parenthood Supervisor/Practitioner: Yeah.
Pimp: We're involved in sex work-
Planned Parenthood Supervisor/Practitioner: Mhm.
Pimp: We have some girls that are kind of young like, 14, 15, that they might need an abortion-
Planned Parenthood Supervisor/Practitioner: Mhm.
Pimp: And, how is the best way should they could go about it?
Planned Parenthood Supervisor/Practitioner: They just show up, and set up an appointment. Do they have insurance?
Pimp: They don't have insurance, some don't even speak that good of English 'cause you know, they just got here.
Planned Parenthood Supervisor/Practitioner: Right. So we have an interpretation phone, so if they don't speak Spanish that's not a problem. I mean if they don't speak English that's not a problem cause we can have an interpreter -
This is the sixth set of full footage released from Live Action's current ongoing investigation into Planned Parenthood. This latest reel of footage uncovers what organization President, Lila Rose, calls an "institutional crisis in which Planned Parenthood is willing to assist sex trafficking and exploitation of minors and young women."
Live Action has released numerous videos over the past three years offering compounding evidence that Rose says, "unequivocally shows that Planned Parenthood is unsafe and puts underage girls and young women in harm's way."
"Planned Parenthood has shown repeatedly for the past three years of our investigation that they are willing to aid and abet the sexual exploitation of minors and young girls, even girls as young as 13 and here illegally, all under a sick code of 'confidentiality.' For Planned Parenthood, this 'confidentiality' supersedes a zero tolerance for sex trafficking and exploitation of minors and young women," Rose said.
Last week, Live Action released raw footage of five Planned Parenthood clinics, one in New Jersey and four in Virginia, all revealing employees willing to counsel a self-identified sex-trafficker on how to obtain STD testing, birth control and abortions for underage girls that he "manages" in "sex work."
"Today, we are making full footage and transcripts available to New York law enforcement officials and we are calling upon New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to launch a formal investigation as has been done in New Jersey by Attorney General Paula Dow. This footage shows that underage girls and young women are at potentially grave risk when they walk into Planned Parenthood clinics," Rose said.
Additional Findings from the footage:
Prostitute: They just came over, they're workin' with us, and we're helpin' them out -
Planned Parenthood Staffer: Mhm
Prostitute: Just keeping them safe.
Pimp: Could we even sign off as guardians? Could we even sign off as a guardian, is that even possible?
Planned Parenthood Staffer: If you were writing the support letter, yeah, you could say -
Prostitute: Oh good
Planned Parenthood Staffer: that you take care of them, you support them.
Pimp: Cool!
Planned Parenthood Staffer: But nothing here, like, our patients, we don't ask for guardian's signature. Everything is the patient. Like a thirteen-year-old could come in and get the services she needed, by herself.
Pimp: So, how would you recommend for them best to do it? Cause we don't want them getting confused or what not, and it's kind of a sensitive subject, so we don't want you know, them saying the wrong thing, you know getting refused or turned away, so how would you suggest they go about you know being able to get the access even in spite of what they do, you know?
Planned Parenthood Staffer: Yeah, like, like I said everything's confidential, they don't have to tell anybody what it is that they do when they make the an appointment, it's just gonna be between them and the Physician they see.
Live Action has previously released more than a dozen hidden camera videos from ten states. This body of visual evidence shows several alarming patterns of illegal Planned Parenthood activities including cover-up of sexual abuse of minors, the skirting of parental consent laws, citing unscientific and fabricated medical information to manipulate women to have abortions, and Planned Parenthood's willingness to accept donations earmarked to abort African-American babies.
Source: ProLifeBlogs
Personhood Abortion Bans Sweep Iowa, North Dakota, Montana, Texas, and Oklahoma
Personhood measures have been introduced in three states, passed the House in North Dakota, and passed the Iowa House subcommittee.
The subcommittee of the Iowa House approved the personhood bill at a 2:1 vote, sending it to the full committee for the next vote in the near future. The Iowa personhood bill, like all personhood efforts, will recognize the value and dignity of every single human being, protecting every child by law.
In North Dakota, The Defense of Human Life Act, HB 1450, passed in the North Dakota House with an overwhelming majority of 68 - 25. Introduced by Representative Dan Ruby, the text defines: "Human being" as "an individual member of the species homo sapiens at every stage of development."
"The Personhood movement is growing rapidly, and we expect victory in every state. Personhood USA is in it to end it, and as we continue to see new personhood amendments and legislation, we are witnessing a historical movement to finally end the destruction of human lives and to protect women and children at all stages of life," stated Keith Mason, cofounder of Personhood USA.
Montana introduced a personhood amendment, recognizing the personhood rights of all human beings, seeking to make Montana safer for women and children. Introduced by Representative Wendy Warburton, the Montana legislature heard moving testimony from Rebecca Kiessling, a woman conceived in rape. Rebecca's testimony includes, "I may not look the same as I did when I was four years old or four days old yet unborn in my mother's womb, but that was still undeniably me and I would have been killed through a brutal abortion."
Texas has introduced HB 1109, which amends the Texas Health and Safety Code by recognizing that preborn children have "the rights, protections, and privileges accorded to any other person in this state."
Oklahoma has also introduced a Personhood Amendment, introduced by Representative Blackwell and Representative Vaughan. "Protecting everyone, including the preborn, is consistent with the vision of our Founding Fathers," stated Representative Blackwell.
Click here for the Chicago Tribune article.
Click here for the story from KULR8 (NBC Affiliate in Billings, Montana).
Contact: Keith Mason
Source: Personhood USA
Illinois Federation for Right to Life
2600 State Street, Suite E
Alton, IL 62002
Phone: 618-466-4122
Fax: 618-466-4134
Web: www.ifrl.org
E-mail: mail@ifrl.org
URGENT: House votes Friday morning on Planned Parenthood cutoff!
On the morning of Friday, February 18, 2011, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on an amendment that has been offered by Congressman Mike Pence (R-In.), which would deny all federal funds, through September 30, for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., and 102 PPFA affiliates, which are named in the text of the amendment. The House debated the amendment, but did not vote, on February 17.
On February 14, NRLC sent House members a letter urging them to support the Pence Amendment, saying, "PPFA is the nation's largest abortion provider, reporting 324,008 abortions in 2008. It appears that abortion accounts for roughly one-third of the aggregate income generated by PPFA-affiliated clinics. According to press reports, PPFA has recently mandated that all of its regional affiliates must provide abortions by the end of 2013. Recent media reports regarding abuses associated with PPFA-affiliated clinics in multiple states provide an additional justification for the amendment." To read the entire NRLC letter, click here.
Please call the office of your U.S. House member and urge him or her to support the Pence Amendment to H.R. 1. (The Pence Amendment is amendment no. 11.) If you already called, please call again.
Illinois Federation for Right to Life
2600 State Street, Suite E
Alton, IL 62002
Phone: 618-466-4122
Fax: 618-466-4134
Web: www.ifrl.org
E-mail: mail@ifrl.org
February 15, 2011
Alert: House votes this week on de-funding Planned Parenthood!
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February 14, 2011
Pro-Life Legislative Reception
| The Pro-Life Legislative Reception previously scheduled for April 12, 2011, from 5:00 to 8:00 has been cancelled. Please stay in close touch with your senators and representatives in both Springfield and Washington. Action alerts will be posted at www.ifrl.org. Thank you. |
January 28, 2011
HR 3 the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act"
Your immediate help is needed to make sure a bill not only passes but is sent to the Senate with all the force possible behind it.
The bill is HR 3, the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act."
HR 3 will establish a government-wide prohibition on abortion funding and ensure that no program or agency will be exempt, so the abortion lobby can't sneak it in through loopholes.
HR 3 -- only the third piece of legislation called in this session of Congress. This is a great sign that pro-life is a high priority for the new leadership.
The bill is sponsored by NJ Rep. Chris Smith -- our greatest pro-life champion on "The Hill" -- and Speaker Boehner is on board, too. So far 175 Reps have signed on as co-sponsors.
That's a lot of co-sponsors, but it's not enough for THIS bill. The Senate -- controlled by pro-abortion Democrats -- will not pass this bill unless it comes with HUGE support in the House.
That means we need MORE pro-life Congressmen to sign on as co-sponsors of the bill.
You can find out if YOUR Congressman is a sponsor -- and get contact info -- right here:
http://www.capwiz.com/nrlc/issues/bills/?bill=23294546
If your Congressman has NOT yet signed on as a co-sponsor, call them TODAY and ask them to "Please sign on as a co-sponsor of HR 3, the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act."
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Illinois Federation for Right to Life
2600 State Street, Suite E
Alton, IL 62002
Phone: 618-466-4122
Fax: 618-466-4134
Web: www.ifrl.org
E-mail: mail@ifrl.org
Dutch Suicide Advocates Set Up Clinic of Death
The Netherlands is a lovely country where many people have eschewed true compassion–the root meaning of which is to "suffer with"–to promote suicide as the answer to human difficulty. Euthanasia is available via lethal injection for the terminally ill, the chronically ill, people with serious disabilities, and the despairing who are not physically sick. Infanticide is illegal, but allowed. Non voluntary mercy killing by doctors is a routine event, with several a day according to studies. The Dutch Supreme Court approved assisted suicide for a woman who wanted to be buried between her two dead children.
One would think that would at last be enough "compassionate" killing, thank you very much. Nope. Once a culture embraces this brand of nihilism, the appetite for suicide-as-the-answer is never satiated. Now, some Dutch suicide activists–can you imagine?–are setting up a clinic for those whose doctors won't make them dead. From Bioedge:
The Dutch voluntary euthanasia society (NVVE) is planning to open an eight-person clinic in 2012 where people can go to end their lives. It estimates that about 1,000 people a year would take advantage of its facilities. It would cater for people whose doctors have refused to euthanase them. Not only people with an incurable illness, but also people with chronic psychiatric conditions and dementia would be welcome.
Some Dutch doctors are already in the business, compassionately giving their suicidal patients a how to do it yourself guide if they won't do the deed themselves. They even gave it a name: Autoeuthanasia.
The Dutch like to think of themselves as enlightened leaders of society into modern ways. I worry they are right. Culture of death, Wesley? What culture of death?
Contact: Wesley J. Smith
Source: Secondhand Smoke
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Illinois Federation for Right to Life
2600 State Street, Suite E
Alton, IL 62002
Phone: 618-466-4122
Fax: 618-466-4134
Web: www.ifrl.org
E-mail: mail@ifrl.org
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