ACTION ALERT SB1564 - Health Care Right of Conscience Act

The House is back in session today.  They will be voting on a budget tomorrow in the House and all of the members will need to be present for that vote.  That means the sponsor may have the votes she needs to pass her bill.

NOW IS THE TIME FOR ACTION

Contact your Representative, urge them to vote NO on SB1564.

This bill amends the Health Care Right of Conscience Act, it bill now undermines Healthcare Right of Conscience by requiring pro-life facilities to refer pro-abort services to other facilities thus violating their morals or beliefs.

From the bill text:

Amends the Health Care Right of Conscience Act. Makes changes in the Section concerning findings and policy. Defines "access to care and information protocols" and "material information". Provides that notwithstanding any other law, a health care facility, or any physician or health care personnel working in the facility, may refuse to permit, perform, assist in, counsel about, suggest, recommend, refer for, or participate in health care services because of a conscience-based objection only if the refusal occurs in accordance with written access to care and information protocols designed to ensure that (1) the patient receives material information in a timely fashion; and (2) the refusal will not impair the patient's health by causing delay of or inability to access the refused health care service. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to prevent a health care facility from requiring that physicians or health care personnel working in the facility comply with access to care and information protocols.

This amendment requires a written referral to a facility that will complete the refused services including abortion, contraceptives and family planning.

From the bill text:

...a written document that contains the names of and contact information for health care facilities, physicians, or health care personnel that may provide the patient the particular form of health care service refused...

"Health care" is defined as any phase of patient care, including but not limited to, testing; diagnosis; prognosis; ancillary research; instructions; family planning, counselling, referrals, or any other advice in connection with the use or procurement of contraceptives and sterilization or abortion procedures; medication; or surgery or other care or treatment rendered by a physician or physicians, nurses, paraprofessionals or health care facility, intended for the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of persons...

AGAIN, THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW!

Contact your Representative, urge them to vote NO on SB1564.

Click here to find your Representative's contact information.

Click here for more information on this bill.

Baby saved from abortion after mother changes her mind, seeks abortion pill reversal

When Becky Buell of Sacramento, California, discovered she was pregnant with her second child at the end of her freshman year of college, she was scared and unsure of what to do. With her marriage falling apart, she feared she’d also lose the support of her parents. Becky chose to abort her baby by taking two drugs that cause a chemical abortion. She visited a Planned Parenthood facility and took the first drug, RU 486, while she was there. She was to take the second drug 24 hours later.

But immediately after taking the first drug, she regretted her decision and called the abortion pill reversal hotline (877-558-0333, abortionpillreversal.com) run by Culture of Life Family Services, the family practice of George Delgado, MD. The reversal treatment was successful and her baby was born healthy at full term.

Becky now advocates for women who change their minds, and she’s speaking out about Dr. Delgado’s work. Many women and doctors are unaware that a chemical abortion can be reversed if treatment is started quickly after the first drug is taken. Dr. Delgado and nurse manager Debbie Bradel are spreading the word and gaining the support and help of doctors across the globe. If hearts and minds can be changed in those first few hours following the chemical abortion, thousands of babies could be saved.

Click here for the originating article from Live Action News.

President Obama: ‘We are people who believe every child is entitled to life’ (but not for the preborn)

On Friday, June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling which legalized same-sex marriage across the nation. President Barack Obama, who has supported same-sex marriage since 2012, issued a statement commending the Court.

Most striking is his utterance that “we are people who believe every child is entitled to life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” President Obama’s stance as the most pro-abortion president appears in direct conflict with the values he espouses. Why does Obama not see preborn children as worthy of basic human rights? How can any child “write [his] own destiny” if he has been aborted?

President Obama talks about love. What about love for the preborn? Shouldn’t we respect people, at least enough to allow them to born? Why should it matter if they are still developing inside their mother’s wombs?

Click here for the originating article from Live Action News.

51 pro-life laws have passed this year, saving babies from abortion

As we begin the second half of 2015, some pro-lifers may be discouraged by recent judicial intervention that allows abortion facilities to remain open, or prevents other pro-life laws from passing. But the truth is, the pro-life side is still winning.

This year alone, 51 new pro-life laws have been enacted. As the Guttmacher Institute reports, there have been 282 abortion restrictions since 2010. Guttmacher notes that pro-life laws passed in the first half of 2015 already exceed all of 2014.

The pro-life laws passed take on a variety of aspects, but a few themes prevail: patient safety laws—known as Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP) laws by abortion advocates, medication abortion laws, waiting periods for abortions, and D&E abortions (usually known as “dismemberment abortions”).

Click here for the originating article from Live Action News.

Euthanasia’s Open Season on the Mentally Ill

Helping the mentally ill commit suicide was unthinkable not long ago. Today, it is a growing practice.

In the Netherlands, for example, psychiatrists legally kill their patients with the approval of colleagues and the culture. Indeed, the Dutch Journal of Psychiatry has encouraged psychiatrists to euthanize patients with severe mental illnesses...

Netherlanders responded positively to their “emancipation”: The number of euthanasia deaths of the mentally ill rose from fourteen in 2012 to forty-two in 2013. Not coincidentally, a just-released study  reports that 34 percent of the country’s general practitioners would consider euthanizing a mentally ill patient.

Belgium is even more enthusiastic than the Netherlands about euthanizing those with psychiatric illnesses. The most well-known case is that of Godelieva De Troyer, who was euthanized by oncologist and palliative medicine professor Wim Distelmans. De Troyer did not have cancer; after a lifelong struggle with depression, she consulted with Distelmans (now a famous euthanasia doctor and advocate) for the sole purpose of being made dead.

Click here for the originating article from Wesley Smith.

Health Care Right of Conscience Act Deadline Extended to July 31st

Health Care Right of Conscience Act - SB1564

Sponsor: Senator Biss.

The bill is on the House floor for debate and vote.  The deadline to call the bill for a vote has been extended again to July 31st giving pro-aborts even more of a chance to get the votes this bill needs to pass.  IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE ACTION NOW TO STOP THIS BILL.

Contact your Representative, urge them to vote NO on SB1564.

Click here to find your Representative's contact information.

This bill amends the Health Care Right of Conscience Act:  provides that notwithstanding any other law, a health care facility, or any physician or health care personnel working in the facility, may refuse to permit, perform, assist in, counsel about, suggest, recommend, refer for, or participate in health care services because of a conscience-based objection.  

This bill now undermines Healthcare Right of Conscience by requiring pro-life facilities to refer pro-abort services to other facilities thus violating their morals or beliefs.

From the bill text:

Amends the Health Care Right of Conscience Act. Makes changes in the Section concerning findings and policy. Defines "access to care and information protocols" and "material information". Provides that notwithstanding any other law, a health care facility, or any physician or health care personnel working in the facility, may refuse to permit, perform, assist in, counsel about, suggest, recommend, refer for, or participate in health care services because of a conscience-based objection only if the refusal occurs in accordance with written access to care and information protocols designed to ensure that (1) the patient receives material information in a timely fashion; and (2) the refusal will not impair the patient's health by causing delay of or inability to access the refused health care service. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to prevent a health care facility from requiring that physicians or health care personnel working in the facility comply with access to care and information protocols.

This amendment requires a written referral to a facility that will complete the refused services including abortion, contraceptives and family planning.

From the bill text:

...a written document that contains the names of and contact information for health care facilities, physicians, or health care personnel that may provide the patient the particular form of health care service refused...

"Health care" is defined as any phase of patient care, including but not limited to, testing; diagnosis; prognosis; ancillary research; instructions; family planning, counselling, referrals, or any other advice in connection with the use or procurement of contraceptives and sterilization or abortion procedures; medication; or surgery or other care or treatment rendered by a physician or physicians, nurses, paraprofessionals or health care facility, intended for the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of persons...

Although an amendment has been added to bill, the Federation for Right to Life still opposes this bill.

ACTION ALERT

Contact your Representative, urge them to vote NO on SB1564.

Click here to find your Representative's contact information.

Click here for more information on this bill.

Click here for the full bill text.

Lifesaving Adult Stem Cell Research & Cures Focus of Capitol Hill Hearing

A House panel responsible for advancing and monitoring the nation’s health care and research laws Thursday examined new bipartisan legislation supporting treatment and therapies derived from adult stem cell lines.

Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), author of the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2015 ( HR 2820), said he was encouraged that the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health moved quickly to include the legislation in their hearing entitled: “Examining Public Health Legislation: H.R. 2820, H.R. 1344, and H.R. 1462.” Smith and Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Ca.) introduced the bill only last week with a bipartisan group of lawmakers.

“This important bipartisan legislation will save more lives,” said Smith who also authored the first law (The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005—P.L. 109-129) creating the National Cord Blood Inventory (NCBI) program and continuing the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation program. Smith said “The adult stem cells found in bone marrow and cord blood provide hope not only for curing the diseases and conditions currently known, but they also set the stage for even more cures in the future.”

Click here for the originiating article from National Right to Life.

ObamaCare issue still on the table

On Thursday, the high court upheld the nationwide tax subsidies in the Affordable Care Act. But the justices didn't address the subsidy in insurance exchanges for elective abortions.

"The Government Accounting Office [GAO] said that there are more than 1,000 federally subsidized exchange plans that cover elective abortions," explains Carol Tobias, president of the National Right to Life Committee. "So if a woman decides she wants the abortion, the insurance plan covered by federal subsidies will pay for that abortion."

That would appear to violate the Hyde Amendment, which bars use of federal money for abortions with limited exceptions.

Click here for the originiating article from OneNewsNow.

Supreme Court Decision Underscores Need for No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act

“Federal taxpayer subsidies are helping pay for over 1,000 health plans that cover abortion on demand, and today’s Supreme Court decision underscores that only Congress can put a stop to that,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life.

“This decision again demonstrates the need for enactment of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which would permanently prevent taxpayer subsidies for abortion-covering health plans, both in Obamacare and in other federal health benefits programs,” Tobias said.

In September 2014, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the nonpartisan investigatory arm of Congress, issued a report [www.gao.gov/products/GAO-14-742R] containing information that confirmed predictions by National Right to Life that federally subsidized abortion-covering health plans would become a widespread feature of Obamacare. That report found that more than one thousand federally subsidized exchange plans currently cover elective abortion. Currently, 26 states and the District of Columbia allow coverage of elective abortion in health plans that qualify for the federal subsidies (while 24 states have restricted or prohibited such coverage).

Click here for the originating article from National Right to Life.

The pro-life citizens of Aurora may have their day in court

The pro-life citizens of Aurora, Illinois may have their day in court in an ongoing battle with a Planned Parenthood facility.

Eight years ago, Planned Parenthood began construction of an abortion mega-center in Aurora, moving the permit process under the radar as a business, not the non-profit it actually is.

Peter Breen, special counsel for the Thomas More Society, alleges the facility violated zoning ordinances but City of Aurora officials "side-stepped" the zoning issue.

Breen, Peter (Thomas More Society)When the zoning code declares the area is a commercial district, and the Planned Parenthood operation is a non-profit, "well that clearly doesn't meet the terms of the applicable zoning ordinance," Breen complains.

Click here for the originating article from OneNewsNow.

Prolife attorney warns Illinois of federal funding loss if "right of conscience" bill becomes law

Illinois could endanger federal health care funding if a pending "right of conscience" bill a state law, a prolife attorney told the Republican Assembly of Lake County last week at their monthly meeting.

Dan McConchie of Americans United for Life spoke Thursday, June 18 meeting of the Republican Assembly of Lake County regarding Illinois SB 1564. As amended by Senate Amendment 3 the law would would weaken the conscience protections afforded to healthcare providers. The bill passed in the Senate with two Republican votes. It has not passed in the House yet.

The attack on the freedom of conscience advances a radical ideology and fails to meet any demonstrated need. The refusal of service stories are manufactured by Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers to advance their agenda.

Click here for the originating article from Illinois Review.

Taylor Swift helps fans announce pregnancy

Most everyone we told before we posted on social media found out by us showing them our Taylor Swift picture. It was fun because the reactions were all pretty similar. First “Wow that’s so cool you got to meet her” or “She is really beautiful and tall” then “Wait… what’s that sign say?!”

~ Expectant father Jesse Rasmussen, describing how he and wife Lindsey shared their pregnancy news with the help of Taylor Swift, as quoted by NBCNewYork.com, June 19

Click here for the originating article from Jill Stanek.

“Abortion Drone” scheduled for Launch June 27

Look! Up in the sky! Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

No, it’s an abortion drone, launched by the same folks who brought you the “abortion ship,” abortion hotlines where you can learn how to self-abort, and the “I need an abortion” website where you can order abortifacients: “Women on Waves.”

Before going further, I must emphasize that although the following might sound as if it is a figment of my imagination—how could this possible be true, you might ask– the following is actually in the works, according to multiple media outlets.

The plan is to have a drone carrying abortion pills launch from Frankfurt, Germany, cross the border and deliver mifepristone (RU-486) and a prostaglandin (misoprostol) to women in Slubice, Poland, where abortion laws are highly protective.

Click here for the originating article from National Right to Life.

'Selfie' with contraceptives for extra credit?

A geometry teacher in Alameda, California, has been suspended after suggesting that students who wanted to boost their grades look for their parents' contraceptives and take "selfies" with them. While Encinal High School officials are dismissing the assignment as a joke, at least one student took teacher Wing-Wah Leung seriously. That student's selfie was shown as an example in class.

Valerie Huber, executive director of the National Abstinence Education Association, says even if it was a prank, it's something parents need to be wary of.

"... It's sending a disturbing message to teens, to youths that any kind of sexual experimentation, discussion, and encroaching on privacy, even of parents, is a green light," says Huber. "And that's certainly not the message that our schools and our teachers should be communicating."

Click here for the originating article from OneNewsNow.

“Care Planning Act” Introduced in US Senate

When Sarah Palin (wrongly) said that insurance payments for advance planning under Obamacare were “death panels”–there are other such potentialities in the law, but not that–she killed the provision.

Ever since, politicians of both parties have been struggling to bring it back.

The latest bipartisan attempt–S 1549–has been filed by Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA).

Click here for the originating article.

Tax dollars could be spent to “nudge” older people to agree to premature death under Senate bill

Last week, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) introduced S. 1549, the Care Planning Act of 2015, to use federal tax dollars to pay health care professionals to counsel older people in deciding whether to accept or reject life-preserving medical treatment, food and fluids.

On its face, S. 1549 purports to promote neutral, fully informed “advance care planning” that will assist patients to implement their own values in legally valid directives. Unfortunately, however, there is abundant evidence, documented in the March 2015 NRLC report “The Bias Against Life-Preserving Treatment in Advance Care Planning,” that a combination of cost pressures and the ideological commitment of a significant number of health care providers to hastening death for those deemed to have a “poor quality of life” would in practice lead to many federally funded advance care planning sessions being used to exercise subtle – or not-so-subtle – pressure to agree to reject life-preserving treatment.

Entities conducting such programs openly boast of how much money they have saved insurance companies by inducing patients to reject expensive life-saving medical treatment. Advocates believe it will save Medicare money as well.

Click here for the originating article.

Kids give Pro-Life answers without hesitation

While abortion advocates paint a bleak picture for parents who conceive unintended pregnancies, children see right past the agenda to the heart of the matter: A human Life has been created, and he or she deserves to live no matter what. In fact, the children seem baffled by the interviewer’s insinuation that not having the time or ability to care for a child would justify killing him or her.

“What if you can’t take care of it?” one interviewer asked. “Somebody else could take care of it,” one child quickly responded. “I would send it to a babysitter,” said another.

But, prodding deeper, the interviewers asked: “What if the baby was still in the mommy’s tummy? Is [abortion] OK then?”

Children, again, answered without hesitation: “No.” A little boy who said he wishes for the superpower of “strength to fight bad guys,” said, “Well it is a bad thing to kill a baby, because you would kill somebody.”



Click here for the originating article.

Unlike Illinois, Michigan Gov. Signs Bills Protecting Freedom of Adoption Agencies

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has signed into law three bills protecting the freedom of private adoption agencies to operate in accordance with their beliefs. The Michigan law comes on the same day the North Carolina legislature protected the religious liberty of clerks and magistrates in that state over the governor’s veto.

In 2011, Illinois went in the opposite direction, forcing private agencies to place adoptive children with unmarried, cohabitating couples—including same-sex couples—or be stripped of state contracts. As a result, the Evangelical Child and Family Agency, numerous Catholic Charities affiliates and other faith-based organizations in the state were forced to stop serving over 2,000 children. Similar situations have happened in Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., where the redefinition of marriage—coupled with sexual orientation policies—required all faith-based providers to place children with same-sex couples.

Click here for the originating article.

Illinois abortionist surrenders license for Gary, Indiana clinic

Abortionist Dr. Ulrich “George” Klopfer, has surrendered the operating license for his Gary, Indiana abortion clinic.

“As it stands now, Klopfer can provide abortions only at his South Bend clinic, although he can still see patients at his Fort Wayne clinic,”reports Amanda Gray. “The only other clinic is northern Indiana providing abortions is one in Merrillville, operated by Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky. Klopfer does not practice there.”

Klopfer, who lives in Illinois, will be in front of the Indiana Medical Licensing Board on June 25 for a hearing regarding the status of his medical licenses.

Click here for the originating article.

Assisted Suicide Picture Worth 1000 Words

Actually, not a “slippery slope:” Facts already on the ground as every one of the categories below have been euthanized or assisted in suicide where legal, perhaps with the exception of the “slightly ill.”.

Click here for the originating article.