No Mention of Abortion in Health Bill "Fix" Package

No Mention of Abortion in Health Bill "Fix" Package

  

The health care reconciliation "fix" package, which was posted on the House Rules Committee website Thursday afternoon, makes no mention of abortion, dashing any remaining hopes that the legislation that the House votes on will not include a vast expansion of abortion funding.

Most analysts had predicted that the "fix" bill would not give in to the demands of pro-life representatives, most notably Rep. Bart Stupak, who have demanded that Hyde-like language be included in the bill. Some, however, had said that they were expecting a last-minute fix that would put up a wall against the abortion-funding embedded in the Senate health care bill.

The Catholic Health Association (CHA), whose endorsement of the bill earlier this week was welcomed with open arms by the Obama administration, had excused their support for the abortion-expanding bill by expressing hope for an abortion "fix" in the reconciliation measure.

In a scheme devised by Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Democrat leaders may hold a vote on the reconciliation package in the House, and, should it succeed, the House will simply "deem" the Senate health bill passed - thus possibly coaxing support from wary Democrats by avoiding a direct vote on the bill.

Leaders now hope to hold a vote by Sunday, although President Obama has already postponed a planned trip overseas that day to see the health care debate to the end.

Click here to view the Reconciliation bill.

Contact: Kathleen Gilbert
Source: LifeSiteNews.com
Publish Date: March 18, 2010
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Colorado Personhood Amendment Submits 46,671 Signatures -- Ensures Spot on 2010 Ballot

Colorado Personhood Amendment Submits 46,671 Signatures -- Ensures Spot on 2010 Ballot



Personhood Colorado, sponsors of the 2010 Personhood Amendment, today submitted 46,671 signatures to the Colorado Secretary of State's office.

On March 4, the Colorado Secretary of State disclosed that 20.63% of the 79,648 signatures submitted by Personhood Colorado were invalid. As allowed by Colorado law, volunteers then had 15 days to replace the invalid signatures with new, valid voter signatures. That translated to over 1,000 signatures per day.

"Over the past few days, the massive quantities of signatures that poured in just amazed us," remarked Gualberto Garcia-Jones, co-sponsor of the Personhood Ballot initiative. "That means that we collected over 2,600 signatures each day, about 2 signatures per minute. Some of our volunteers were working all hours of the day, and that is a testament to what we already knew -- that Colorado citizens recognize the value of human life and have worked extremely hard to see that each human life is protected."

The 700+ volunteer petitioners worked around the clock to gather signatures, frequenting churches, grocery stores,  Tuesday Caucuses, and other  public venues. Many college age church volunteers circulated the petition at Colorado St. Patrick's Day Parades and college campuses.

"We were told that we needed to replace over 15,000 of our signatures," commented Keith Mason, co-founder of Personhood USA. "We knew we could do it, because when you are working on such a critical, life and death issue, volunteers are passionate. We knew it would take a lot of hard work and determination, but we never expected such an outpouring of support. It is clear that the people of Colorado wanted to make a statement -- that every human life should be protected by love and by law. This effort is more alive and vibrant than ever."

"We're so thankful for help from American Life League, Durago-based pro-life group LifeGuard, Personhood USA, and dozens of other pro-life organizations. With their help, we faced a daunting task and succeeded beyond our wildest expectations, glory be to God!" added Leslie Hanks, co-sponsor of the Personhood Amendment. "Now, we're ready to begin campaigning for life and preparing for victory in November."

Contact: Keith Mason
Source: Personhood USA
Publish Date: March 19, 2010
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Federal grant for organ extraction from ‘dead’ emergency room patients

Federal grant for organ extraction from 'dead' emergency room patients



Sliding further down the slippery slope begun by the 1968 introduction of the criterion of "brain death," the US Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $321,000 to two Pittsburgh hospitals to extract organs from emergency room patients who are organ donors but have not yet been declared brain dead.

"Imagine you have a 20-year-old inner-city kid who gets shot. Twenty minutes later, a family member comes in and says, 'What happened?' They're told, 'We tried to save him but couldn't, and he had an organ donor card so we took an organ,'" says bioethicist Arthur Caplan, a proponent of embryonic stem cell research. "You can imagine they're going to think, 'Did you really do everything you could to save him?'"

"When you do this stuff in such close proximity to treating the patient, the people in the emergency room will quickly start to think, 'This is a potential organ donor,' even when they are treating the patient," adds ethicist Michael A. Grodin. "People are going to wonder, if they are being treated in the ER, 'Are the transplant people going to swoop down to get my organs?'"

The Washington Post reports that the practice is not novel.

In 2008, the Children's Hospital in Colorado sparked intense debate with a federally funded DCD pilot project that involved taking hearts from babies 75 seconds after they were removed from life support. After an intensive review, the hospital restarted the program about two months ago but required that surgeons wait two minutes.
The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that "the transplant of organs is morally acceptable with the consent of the donor and without excessive risks to him or her. Before allowing the noble act of organ donation after death, one must verify that the donor is truly dead" (no. 476).

Source: Catholic World News
Publish Date: March 19, 2010
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Annual UN Women's Meeting Closes With Delegations Saying No to Abortion

Annual UN Women's Meeting Closes With Delegations Saying No to Abortion



Last week, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) closed its annual session with delegations defining abortion out of a resolution on maternal mortality.  Over the course of this year's two-week commission, United Nations (UN) member states were embroiled in heated negotiations over "reproductive rights" language which some delegations believe would be used to promote abortion.

The United States (US) delegation introduced the resolution calling for increased political will to tackle maternal mortality.  The US delegate argued that their resolution underscored the importance of guaranteeing all of women's human rights, "including sexual and reproductive health rights."

Based on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's testimony to Congress last year, the current US administration is on record saying that "reproductive health includes access to abortion."

The resolution was adopted by consensus at CSW on Friday, but contrary to an Associated Press article which stated that "abortion was a non-issue during the two-week session," a number of states including Chile, Saint Lucia and Iran, made explanations of position to ensure that "reproductive rights" and other "health service" terms in the text would not be later misinterpreted to include abortion.

Pro-life and pro-family lobbyists who held vigil outside the negotiations were happy to see another split within the European Union (EU) over the reproductive health provisions. Several eyewitnesses told C-Fam's Friday Fax that they had overheard several EU countries bullying the delegation from Malta to drop its objections to the "reproductive rights" provisions in the draft text.

The split within the EU over the abortion issue became public when Poland and Malta made statements to explicitly reject abortion. Poland interpreted "the reference to reproductive and sexual rights and services in the resolution as not constituting an encouragement of abortion."   Malta stated that it did not "consider abortion a legitimate form of family planning or other services."  Going even further, Malta criticized the notion of "unsafe abortion" which was included in the resolution, as it "implies that abortions could be free of any physical or psychological risks and ignored the rights of the unborn."
  
The Holy See delegation reiterated that they do "not consider abortion or abortion services to be a dimension of reproductive health or reproductive health services." The Holy See stated "the suggestion that reproductive health includes a right to abortion explicitly violates the language of the ICPD [International Conference on Population and Development], defies moral and legal standards within local communities and divides efforts to address the real needs of mothers and children."

Many delegates expressed concern over the rushed process and lack of transparency in the negotiation proceedings on the maternal mortality resolution, as well as other resolutions being negotiated simultaneously. Some pro-life delegations complained that they were not receiving copies of the draft text in time to go over them before negotiations and more than one pro-life delegation alluded to high-level calls that were made behind the scenes by the US to pressure countries to drop objections to the resolution. One seasoned observer told the Friday Fax, "In terms of fair negotiations, this was the dirtiest CSW I have ever seen."

Contact: Samantha Singson
Source: C-FAM via LifeSiteNews.com
Publish Date: March 18, 2010
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NEWS SHORTS FOR FRIDAY

NEWS SHORTS FOR FRIDAY

Legislative Updates from Around the Nation...

South Carolina:

No Abortion Coverage in South Carolina's Health Insurance
 
South Carolina lawmakers voted early this morning to remove abortion coverage from the state health insurance plan.

Legislators spent all night debating the budget bill – six hours were spent on the abortion issue alone.

Opponents wanted a broader "life of the mother" exception, but supporters were able to hold firm and get the measure passed.

Click here for more from CitizenLink.


Kentucky:

Kentucky Abortion Regulation Remains Stalled

Abortion opponents have been dealt a setback in pushing a bill aimed at having Kentucky women see ultrasound images of their fetuses before undergoing abortions. A parliamentary move to pull the bill out of a House committee was ruled out of order Thursday by House Speaker Greg Stumbo. There was no challenge to Stumbo's ruling. Republican Rep. Joe Fischer of Fort Thomas said it would have been futile to challenge the ruling because many lawmakers had already left at the end of the House session. The measure would require doctors to show women seeking abortions the ultrasound images of their fetuses.

Click here for more from WLKY.


Missouri:

Missouri Lawmaker wants women to Five Reason for Abortion Before an Abortion

A state senator wants Missouri to collect information from women about why they choose to have abortions. Legislation by Republican Sen. Tom Dempsey, of St. Peters, would require doctors and clinics to ask women about the specific medical, social or economic reasons for seeking an abortion. Women would not have to respond. Dempsey says it would be useful for policymakers to know if most abortions are sought because of relationship problems, finances, health concerns, a desire to limit family size, or a variety of other reasons. Senators briefly discussed the bill Wednesday without taking a vote. The legislation also would expand the information provided to women during Missouri's 24-hour waiting period before abortions.

Click here for more from Kansas City Fox.


Kansas:

Abortion 'Lawsuit Regulation' Proposed in Kansas

Lawmakers in Kansas are pushing a proposal to allow lawsuits against doctors over legally questionable late-term abortions. Three senators and three House members met Thursday to negotiate a new version of legislation that rewrites state laws dealing with late-term abortions. They had been focusing on increasing requirements for doctors to report information to the state about late-term abortions. But the House's lead negotiator, Rep. Melvin Neufeld, an Ingalls Republican, also proposed reviving provisions to allow a woman — or her family — to sue a doctor if there is evidence that her late-term abortion violated the law.

Click here for more from KansasCity.com

Committee Vote on Health Care Rule Change - UPDATE Passed 222-203 with 6 not voting

Committee Vote on Health Care Rule Change - UPDATE Passed 222-203 with 6 not voting
 
Pro-life Democrats confirm they will jump ship.

UPDATE: The 28 Dems who joined Republicans in opposing deem-and-pass:

Adler (NJ) Arcuri Boren Bright Carney Childers Cooper

Costello Dahlkemper Davis (AL) Giffords Herseth Sandlin Holden Kosmas

Kratovil Lipinski McIntyre McNerney Melancon Michaud Minnick

Mitchell Nye Perriello Shuler Stupak Taylor Teague

 

A rules committee was expected to vote Friday on a procedure that that would allow Democrats to pass a rule and declare the Senate's health bill passed in the House but that vote took place today.

Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., who is head of the House Rules Committee, has proposed the lesser-known procedural move.

The rule can be passed by a majority vote in committee, and members will be able to tell voters that they didn't actually vote for the language of the bill that is unpopular with a majority of Americans.

Pro-lifer leaders have expressed disappointment over decisions by two Democrat lawmakers.

Rep. Dale Kildee, D-Mich., and Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., said they changed their minds today, and will vote for the Senate bill after all. The bill includes the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade.  Click here for the roll call.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has criticized the proposal over the life issue.

UPDATE:

Update 2:13pm Eastern. Ok, the vote is happening right now. House GOP source: “House voting NOW. A ‘yes’ vote on the previous question is a vote to authorize Speaker Pelosi to use the Slaughter Solution to ram ObamaCare through the House without an up-or-down vote. A ‘no’ vote on the PQ is a vote against the Slaughter Solution. ”

Update 2:26pm Eastern. Final vote 222-203 with six not voting.  Click here for the roll call.
(Source: Michelle Malkin)

Note: If 222 Democrats voted for this unconstitutional, very-unpopular maneuver, doesn’t that mean that all 222 will also vote for the bill itself? Why vote for this if you’re not going to vote for that?”

The House Reconciliation Healthcare Bill is now online, Click here to view it.

 

 

Illinois Federation for Right to Life

2600 State Street, Ste E

Alton, IL  62002

 

Phone: 618-466-4122

Web: www.ifrl.org

E-mail: mail@ifrl.org

 

Battle for Washington: Pro-Life Coalition Giving Last Full Measure on Health Care

Battle for Washington: Pro-Life Coalition Giving Last Full Measure on Health Care



With what may be the final onslaught of the health care bill coming this weekend, pro-life advocates are giving the last full measure in a battle to defeat the legislation, which would allow federal dollars to subsidize abortion coverage and Planned Parenthood to tap into billions of dollars set aside for community health providers. 

The latest vote predictions say passage of President Barack Obama’s health care reform is too close to call, and pro-life advocates have put their utmost into working – and praying – to hold together a bipartisan pro-life coalition against health care reform in the House of Representatives. The effort itself could become their finest hour in the health care saga.

Americans United for Life has unrolled an aggressive “Life Counts” campaign targeting approximately 40-41 Democrats - whose votes together will be critical to defeating ObamaCare - through print ads, text messages, live phone calls, email-blasts, and the Internet.

Congressmen on Capitol Hill are expected to vote on health care reform before Obama leaves for Indonesia on Sunday, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) are pushing representatives hard to line up behind a vote for the Senate health care bill.

“There’s a lot of pressure on these folks here in Washington,” said AUL’s Vice President for Communications, Matthew Faraci.

“The only voice that is equal to what they are hearing here in Washington is their constituents back home. Their constituents back home are against this bill, and they don’t want to see taxpayer funding for abortion, so we are reaching directly to those constituents.”

Faraci said that pro-life advocates have “got to go to the district office” in order to have the most influence of their Congressman.

“That is what it is all about,” he told LSN, relating his own experience on Capitol Hill. “I think it is valid to send an email, make a phone call, send a fax, all those things I think are very good, but none of those things has the impact of a personal visit.”

The district office director, Faraci explained, will call and report to a member of Congress the number of constituents that made personal visits to his office. The fact that an individual took the time to show up, Faraci said, shows that he feels “very, very strongly” about the issue, and reminds a Congressman that constituents like that could put him out of a job come November.

The National Right to Life Committee emphasized in a recent action alert that timing is of the essence to Pelosi, who is trying to force a vote by this weekend.

“Most political observers agree that if Speaker Pelosi does not succeed in ramming the Senate bill through the House by the time Congress goes into recess for Easter on March 26, the bill is effectively dead," stated NRLC. "Whether she succeeds or not depends on what House members hear from their constituents during the next two weeks."

AUL has launched print ads running in the newspapers of Congressmen’s home districts, featuring a picture of two hands cradling a baby, and addressing the specific Congressman to say: “When it comes to voting for health reform, we know you have your hands full.”

The ad informs readers, “The health care bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives prevents taxpayer-funded abortion. The U.S. Senate health care bill — on the other hand — does allow your tax dollars to pay for abortion. Those are stark differences with serious consequences.”

The first salvo of ads targets the districts of House Representatives Jerry F. Costello (D- Illinois); Joe Donnelly (D-Indiana), Baron P. Hill (D-Indiana), Marcy Kaptur of (D-Ohio), Charles Wilson (D-Ohio), Earl Pomeroy (D-North Dakota), Alan B. Mollohan (D-West Virginia), Nick Rahall of (D-West Virginia).

Susan B. Anthony List has also entered the fray, revealing poll data from 19 key Democratic districts that show their voters are strongly opposed – between 60 to 80 percent – to any federal subsidies that would fund abortion. The polls also showed that between 45 – 65 percent of voters in their respective districts would be “less likely” to vote for them, if health care legislation passed that allowed federal dollars to end up subsidizing abortions.

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, also issued an urgent fax alert to priests and deacons nationwide on Monday urging them to join with Catholic parishioners in contacting their Congressmen to express opposition to the health care bill.

"The lives of millions of unborn children depend on all of us taking action now," said Fr. Pavone.

"The Senate version of the health care bill would expand access to abortion like never before in history. With a decisive vote possible this week in the House, there is no time to waste."

Contact: Peter J. Smith
Source: LifeSiteNews.com
Publish Date: March 17, 2010
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Illinois Federation for Right to Life

2600 State Street, Ste E

Alton, IL  62002

 

Phone: 618-466-4122

Web: www.ifrl.org

E-mail: mail@ifrl.org

 

'American Idol,' StayTeen.Org and Planned Parenthood

‘American Idol,’ StayTeen.Org and Planned Parenthood



While watching “American Idol” recently, a commercial came on that caught my attention. An amateurish-looking home video showed two giddy, laughing teenage girls jumping on a trampoline, acting goofy.
 
Then a voiceover said, “I love my life. I’m not gonna mess it up with a pregnancy.”  And a web site address flashed on the screen: StayTeen.org.



Being the abortion abolitionist that I am, I immediately opened my laptop to check it out. At first, I was pleasantly surprised. The web site, which is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families, strongly advised waiting to have sex.

Among the various messages were myths about sex, lists of compelling reasons why abstinence is best and even a mention of how TV and movies portray sex as having no repercussions. In addition, I was impressed by the fact that the site differentiated between lust and love, and recognized the physical and emotional consequences attached to sex.

According to the site’s bullet points, “not everybody is doing it” [having sex]. Nearly 70 percent of teens wish they had waited to have sex and 94 percent want a strong abstinence message.

But, as I expected, that was the end of the good news. After leaving the “abstinence” section and perusing the rest of the site, I came upon the “help and advice” section. What took the top spot, among the first three resources listed for three separate topics?

Planned Parenthood.

Yes, that bastion of abortion, libertine sex (for the young and old) and the undermining of parents and purity. To appease parents and the general public, Planned Parenthood occasionally uses the word “abstinence” in its propaganda. But it is almost always followed with a “but” and some nonsense about the need to realize how unrealistic abstinence is, thus undermining the whole purpose of promoting it.

It’s disturbingly contradictory for a web site that claims to want to prevent teen pregnancy and promote abstinence to send young people to Planned Parenthood for questions about “sex, protection, contraception …STDs … [and] emergency contraception.”

Once again, our government (and whoever else was involved in this site) fails to grasp the mixed messages they are sending to kids who view such a web site.

A show like American Idol is watched by families with kids of varying ages. Many of them will visit StayTeen.org because of the captivating commercial. Unfortunately, the site perpetuates the false message that “abstinence is good, but since it’s probably not realistic, use contraception.” Until parents start consistently teaching their children and teens the importance of lifelong chastity, the rates of teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and premarital sex at increasingly younger ages will continue to rise.

And no amount of confusing web sites, such as StayTeen.org, will change those statistics. 

Contact: Kortney Blythe
Source: CNSNews.com
Publish Date: March 18, 2010
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Illinois Federation for Right to Life

2600 State Street, Ste E

Alton, IL  62002

 

Phone: 618-466-4122

Web: www.ifrl.org

E-mail: mail@ifrl.org

 

One Abortion Every 11 Seconds in Original 15 EU States

One Abortion Every 11 Seconds in Original 15 EU States

 

Abortion rates in Europe are on the rise, with one child being killed at least every 11 seconds in the original 15 EU states, according to the annual report of the Institute of Family Policies (IPF).

The so-called EU15 countries are those that comprised the European Union prior to the accession of ten candidate countries on 1 May 2004. They are Belgium, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Finland, Luxembourg, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Denmark, Austria, Portugal and Sweden.

According to publicly available statistics, Spain’s abrupt increase in abortion accounts for 87 per cent of the total increase over the last ten years. The report notes that recent changes in Spanish abortion laws have caused the rates there to soar. In the last ten years, the number of abortions in Spain has increased 115 per cent. This means that, as of 2008, nearly one in five pregnancies ends with abortion in the country.

“In as little as 18 years (1980-2008) the number of abortions has grown from representing scarcely 8.47% of the pregnancies in 1990, to representing more than 18.24% in 2008.”

Data from national sources and the European statistical service EUROSAT show that in 2008 about 2.9 million abortions were committed in all of Europe, including the 27 member states of the European Union and 14 non-EU countries. 1,207,646 of these abortions were carried out in the EU states, which represents 42 per cent of the European total.

In the EU15, the rate of abortion is sharply increased over that of the EU overall and has risen 8.3 per cent over ten years. But the IPF notes that the increase in Spain has drastically skewed these numbers. Between 1998 and 2008, the number of abortions overall increased in those countries by 70,941 abortions per year, but Spain accounts for 61,965 of that increase.

This abrupt increase in the rate of abortion in Spain and the other EU15 countries contrasts with the rate in the 27 EU countries overall, where abortion has actually decreased as much as 49 per cent.

Three out of four abortions in the European Union are carried out in the EU15 countries, or about 77 per cent, with a total of nearly one million unborn children killed per year for the last decade. This contrasts with the fewer than 300,000 abortions committed in the rest of the European Union states per year over the same period.

IPF reports that in the last 15 years, approximately 20 million children have been “lost” to abortion in the European Union. The United Kingdom, France, Romania, Italy and
Spain are the countries of the EU with the highest number of abortions, accounting for 775,000 abortions of the 2008 total.

“Each year in Europe abortion eliminates the equivalent of the populations of Estonia, (1.3 million people), Cyprus (0.8 million people), Luxembourg (0.5 million people) and Malta (0.4 million people),” the report said.

Demographers are noting with increasing alarm the low birth rates in most European countries, with few approaching the level needed to maintain a steady population. The IPF report says, “The number of abortions in the 27 member states of the EU in one year (1,207,646) is equivalent to the deficit in the birth rate in Europe.”

The abortion rate accounts for 18.3 per cent of all pregnancies in the EU, and one in seven abortions are carried out on girls under age 20. The UK topped the list for abortions on teens.

The report also notes the aging of the European population and its relation to the abortion rates. While immigration continues to prop up the population overall, the number of people under age 14 continues to shrink. In the EU overall, the population of under 14s dropped from 89 million in 1993 to 78.4 million in 2008, a loss of 10.5 million young people.

Contact: Hilary White
Source: LifeSiteNews.com
Publish Date: March 17, 2010
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Illinois Federation for Right to Life

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Alton, IL  62002

 

Phone: 618-466-4122

Web: www.ifrl.org

E-mail: mail@ifrl.org

 

Students hope to reinstate abstinence ed budget

Students hope to reinstate abstinence ed budget



Students from across the nation met with House and Senate members Wednesday to urge them to reinstate federal funding for abstinence education.

The young people shared their personal stories of how they have benefitted from abstinence-centered programs, and Valarie Huber, executive director of the National Abstinence Education Association (NAEA), reports that they also expressed disappointment with the current administration.

Valerie Huber “Abstinence education on a national level actually got its genesis under the Clinton administration, and then it received a boost under the Bush administration, making this truly a bipartisan issue," she explains.  "However, President Obama sought to break with tradition, and in last year's budget he actually zeroed-out every single penny for abstinence education programs."

Huber adds that Obama did likewise when it came to the 2011 budget.

"But this time, he increased funding for a new teen pregnancy prevention program that he initiated last year, giving over $200 million to a contraceptive-based approach," the NAEA executive director notes.

She says the students' recent visits with members of Congress were done in hopes that the budget error would be corrected.

Contact: Bill Bumpas
Source: OneNewsNow
Publish Date: March 18, 2010
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Phone: 618-466-4122

Web: www.ifrl.org

E-mail: mail@ifrl.org

 

Healthcare bill gives doctors heavy conscience

Healthcare bill gives doctors heavy conscience



David Stevens (CMDA)The Christian Medical Association (CMA) is opposed to the present healthcare reform proposal as it would force physicians to cross a controversial line.

CMA President Dr. David Stevens tells OneNewsNow that provisions in the measure do not protect doctors from being forced to do things that are contrary to their faith.

"It makes it very easy to discriminate against them," he notes. "This is something that should concern everyone because 95 percent of Christian doctors said they would leave healthcare before they violated their conscience."

The bill provides supplements to help people purchase abortion coverage in insurance policies, and at the same time, the measure provides billions of dollars for local health clinics, which could also be used for abortions.

medical doctors checkup “We’re all for community health centers that are really...taking care of the poor in the inner city," Stevens mentions. "But to funnel through a backdoor money to destroy unborn babies in this country is something we very much oppose."

The CMA president adds that part of the reason for reductions in Medicaid payments is the cost of increasing bureaucracy.

"It's estimated one out of every four dollars in healthcare now go to bureaucracy," he explains. "The new healthcare reform bill actually creates 111 new bureaucracies or expands them, which is going to make this problem even worse."

Those bills will have to be paid, and Dr. Stevens says that responsibility will fall on taxpayers.

Contact: Charlie Butts
Source: OneNewsNow
Publish Date: March 18, 2010
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Q&A: Abortion & the health care bill

Q&A: Abortion & the health care bill



Pro-life groups are busy urging their constituents to call the House of Representatives and urge a "no" vote on the Senate health care bill. Following are some common questions, along with answers, about the bill's abortion provisions:

-- Why are most pro-lifers opposed to the Senate health care bill?

Pro-lifers argue that the health care bill 1) changes longstanding policy on coverage of abortion in federally subsidized insurance plans, 2) would lead to a drastic expansion of abortion coverage and 3) could result in federal tax dollars being directly used for abortions.

-- What is the current federal policy on abortion coverage within federally subsidized insurance plans?

Current law prohibits the federal government from funding insurance plans covering elective abortions. The Medicaid program for lower income people is prohibited from covering elective abortions, as are insurance plans for federal employees. Congress' own insurance plans, for instance, cannot by law cover elective abortions.

-- How would the Senate health care bill change current policy?

The Senate bill allows federal subsidies -- that is, federal assistance for lower income people -- to be used to purchase health insurance plans that cover elective abortions. Enrollees would have to make two payments: one for abortion coverage and one for the rest of the premium, and the company would be required to segregate the funds. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D.-Calif., a strong supporter of the bill and of abortion rights, calls it an "accounting procedure." The bill requires "insurance exchanges" in each state to offer at least one insurance plan that covers abortion and one insurance plan that does not, although states would be allowed to opt out and not offer the abortion plan.

-- How would this lead to an expansion of abortion coverage?

Because more women would have abortion coverage as part of their insurance plans, the procedure would become far more accessible and affordable. In other words, women who for various reasons (for instance, financial) currently don't have abortion coverage will have it if the Senate bill becomes law. Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider, said the bill would "significantly increase access to reproductive health care."

-- But doesn't the writing of separate checks prevent federal dollars from going toward funding elective abortions?

Pro-lifers have several objections to this section of the bill. First, anyone in an insurance plan that covers abortion -- even men and elderly women -- must write a separate check for abortion coverage, making them direct contributors to elective abortions. This becomes even more significant if a person's employer offers only this one plan. Second, the federal government would be mandating abortion coverage by requiring not only that at least one plan cover abortion, but that people write a check specifically for it. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops argues, "Saying that this payment is not a 'tax dollar' is no help if it is required by the government." Third, the bill includes a loophole (on page 123) stating that separate checks would not be required and that direct federal subsidies would be allowed for elective abortions if the Hyde Amendment -- which prevents Medicaid from covering elective abortions -- is ever reversed. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi opposes the Hyde Amendment.

-- So, does the Hyde Amendment apply to the Senate bill?

No, although the explanation is somewhat complicated. The Hyde Amendment -- which must be renewed annually -- applies only to Medicaid and a handful of other Health and Human Services Department funding streams and prevents abortion coverage except in the cases of rape, incest and to save the mother's life. The health care bill references the Hyde Amendment only as a way to ensure that federal policy is standard across the board. If the Hyde Amendment is overturned and Medicaid is allowed to cover elective abortions, then federal subsidies for insurance plans would be allowed to cover them as well. In reporting about the issue March 5, the Associated Press said, "The Democratic bills created a new stream of federal money to help working households afford health insurance premiums. And those funds were not subject to the Hyde restrictions."

-- Do pro-lifers have any other concerns about the bills?

Yes, especially as it relates to the bill's $7 billion in funding of the nation's 1,200-plus community health centers. There is nothing in the bill, the National Right to Life argues, to prevent the centers from using tax dollars to pay directly for elective abortions. (The bill's limited abortion funding restrictions apply only to the issue of federal subsidies for enrollee insurance plans, the organization says.) The Senate bill also lacks language protecting health care workers who refuse to participate in providing abortions. National Right to Life calls the entire bill "the most pro-abortion single piece of legislation that has ever come to the House floor for a vote, since Roe v. Wade." The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission says "health care must honor all human life, from 'conception to natural death.'"

Contact: Michael Foust
Source: BP
Publish Date: March 17, 2010
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Illinois Federation for Right to Life

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Alton, IL  62002

 

Phone: 618-466-4122

Web: www.ifrl.org

E-mail: mail@ifrl.org

 

NEWS SHORTS FOR THURSDAY

NEWS SHORTS FOR THURSDAY

Idaho 'Conscience' Bill Passes House, Heads to Guv



The "conscience" bill on abortion, emergency contraception and end-of-life care has won final passage in the House on a 51-18 vote, but it wasn’t a straight party-line vote. Democrats Branden Durst of Boise and James Ruchti of Pocatello voted in favor of the bill, along with most House Republicans; while Republicans Tom Trail of Moscow and George Eskridge of Dover voted against it, along with most House Democrats; Rep. Leon Smith, R-Twin Falls, missed the vote. The measure, SB1353, earlier passed the Senate, so it now heads to the governor’s desk. It permits any licensed health care professional, from pharmacists to nurses, to refuse to provide any treatment or medication that violates their conscience if it relates to abortion, emergency contraception, end-of-life care or stem cells. “They would not have have to provide a service that was not in agreement with their conscience,” said Rep. Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, the bill’s House sponsor.
Click here for the entire article from Spokesman.


Embryonic Stem Cell Research Stalled Despite Obama's Try At Lifting Restrictions



One year after Obama announced he was lifting his predecessor's controversial restrictions on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research, some scientists are complaining that so far the new policy is -- ironically -- more of a burden than a boon to their work. "The situation at the moment is worse than it was under the Bush administration," said Charles Murry, a professor of pathology and bioengineering at the University of Washington in Seattle. "Because of this, we are going to waste a lot of time." At issue is the fate of the 21 "lines of cells" that President George W. Bush said could receive federal funding.
Click here for the entire article from the Washington Post.


Stupak: It's Been 'A Living Hell'



Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) on Thursday was quoted in The Hill as describing the level of pressure upon him and his fellow pro-life Democrats to pass the health care bill as "a living hell."

"How's it been? Like a living hell," Stupak told the newspaper, describing how his district offices have been "jammed" with strong feedback, much of it from non-constituents, over his opposition to the massively abortion-expanding bill.

The vitriol has even affected his home life, said the Michigan Democrat, who described the measures his wife has taken to block out the anger that is being directed at her husband. "All the phones are unplugged at our house - tired of the obscene calls and threats. She won't watch TV," he said. "People saying they're going to spit on you and all this. That's just not fun."

Despite the enormous pressure, the former state trooper indicated he wasn't about to budge. "I'm pretty stubborn," said Stupak.
Click here for the entire article from LifeSiteNews.


Obamacare: Idaho Law Now Requires the Attorney General to Sue



Obamacare would require each and every one of us buy private health insurance unless we are covered by our employers. That sure seems unconstitutional to me.  While the Feds certainly have the power to regulate commerce among the states, I don’t think they have the power to require it.

Laws with suspect provisions generally result in litigation.  (We lawyers always win.)  Such a legal challenge is now certain if Obamacare passes.  Idaho just enacted a law requiring its attorney general to sue to invalidate the must-purchase provision.  If that happens, Obamacare collapses of its own weight.
Click here for the entire article from Secondhand Smoke.


N.J. Governor Chris Christie Proposes Complete Elimination of Funding for Family Planning in the FY 2011 N.J. State Budget



Since the 1970's, NJ family planning agencies run by Planned Parenthood, have been receiving millions of taxpayer dollars from the state budget. The amount of funding these groups received had nearly doubled since 2002. During this same period, the state of New Jersey was assigned the notable distinction of being named one of the top three states in the nation with the highest teen abortion rates.
Click here for the entire article from New Jersey Right to Life.


Democrat Sen. Brown Won't Say If ‘Slaughter Rule’ Constitutional Because He Works in Senate



Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) would not say whether using the Slaughter Rule to pass health care is constitutional because, he said, he works in the Senate and does not "know House rules anymore.”
 
If applied, the Slaughter Rule – named for House Rules Committee Chairwoman Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) – would deem the Senate health care bill passed in the House without an actual vote on the bill as required by Article 1, Section VII of the Constitution.
 
On Capitol Hill on Wednesday, CNSNews.com asked Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), “I want to ask you about the Slaughter Rule that has been proposed to use in the House. Do you think it’s constitutional?”
 
Senator Brown said, “I work in the Senate. I don’t know House rules anymore.”  (click here for the video)
Click here for the entire article from CNSNews.com.

 

 

Illinois Federation for Right to Life

2600 State Street, Ste E

Alton, IL  62002

 

Phone: 618-466-4122

Web: www.ifrl.org

E-mail: mail@ifrl.org

 

Planned Parenthood 1952: Abortion 'Kills the Life of a Baby,' Danger to Mother

Planned Parenthood 1952: Abortion 'Kills the Life of a Baby,' Danger to Mother
 


According to a pamphlet unearthed by the pro-life group Live Action, back in 1952, Planned Parenthood - today the largest abortion provider in the United States - told women that having an abortion was a danger to their lives, health, and fertility, and kills a baby.

Live Action’s investigative journalists have uncovered the pamphlet from Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) that emphatically espoused an anti-abortion position, while explaining artificial birth control: “the use of medically approved methods to postpone pregnancy until you are ready for it."

The booklet is entitled “Plan Your Children for Health and Happiness.” The copy scanned and posted on Live Action’s website indicates it was distributed through Planned Parenthood of Iowa and dated to October 1952.  

The document's "frequently asked questions" section on birth control asked, “Is it an abortion?”

“Definitely not,” Planned Parenthood said. “An abortion requires an operation. It kills the life of a baby after it has begun.”

“It is dangerous to your life and health. It may make you sterile so that when you want a child you cannot have it. Birth control merely postpones the beginning of life.”

The explanation appears to run at variance with Planned Parenthood's current description of abortions prior to legalization in 1973 as dangerous due to illegality - rather than harmful in and of itself to both mother and unborn child.



“The scientific fact that an abortion ends the life of a living human being isn’t so convenient these days for Planned Parenthood,” remarked David R. Schmidt, Media Director for Live Action, in a post accompanying the revealed PPFA pamphlet. 

“They sure had a more accurate understanding of science before their twisted abortion ideology of today took over.”

LifeSiteNews.com attempted to reach PPFA for comment; however, calls were not returned by press time.

The PPFA document also reveals a shift in ideology over the intended consumers of birth control  - rather than unmarried women, the pamphlet addressed women who wished to delay pregnancy until “you and your husband are well and able to take care of them.”

Contact: Peter J. Smith
Source: LifeSiteNews.com
Publish Date: March 16, 2010
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Illinois Federation for Right to Life

2600 State Street, Ste E

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Phone: 618-466-4122

Web: www.ifrl.org

E-mail: mail@ifrl.org

 

Girl Scouts taught how to be 'hot'

Girl Scouts taught how to be 'hot'

Planned Parenthood brochure handed out at 'no-adults-welcome' event



A new campaign by the Girl Scouts, with the help of Planned Parenthood, is offering girls ages 10 to 14 the inside details on how to be "hot."

This week, the World Association of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides held a no-adults-welcome panel at the United Nations in which Planned Parenthood distributed a brochure entitled "Healthy, Happy and Hot."

The distribution happened at the annual United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, which featured events for the "Girl Scouts and Girl Guides." In the United States, the organization is called Girls Scouts of the USA and promotes the traditional promise of "On my honor, I will try to serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law."

The organization, however, effectively has eliminated "God" from the equation by providing that, "The word 'God' can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on one's spiritual beliefs. When reciting the Girl Scout Promise, it is acceptable to replace the word 'God' with whatever word your spiritual beliefs dictate."

Understand Planned Parenthood's agenda. Get "Marketing of Evil: How Radicals, Elitists, and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised as Freedom"

The brochure targets young people and contains graphic details on sex. It also encourages casual sex in many forms.

"Many people think sex is just about vaginal or anal intercourse… But, there are lots of different ways to have sex and lots of different types of sex. There is no right or wrong way to have sex. Just have fun, explore and be yourself!"

It then makes some specific suggestions to "talk dirty."

"Improve your sex life by getting to know your own body. Play with yourself! Masturbation is a great way to find out more about your body and what you find sexually stimulating. Mix things up by using different kinds of touch from very soft to hard. Talk about or act out your fantasies. Talk dirty to them," it suggests.

The international organization boasts it reaches 10 million girls in 145 countries. And not only does it provide suggestions for promiscuous sex, it also defines as acceptable sex while high or drunk.

"Some people have sex when they have been drinking alcohol or using drugs. This is your choice. Being drunk or high can affect the decisions you might make about sex or safer sex," the brochure states.

So what to do?

"Plan ahead by bringing condoms and lube or putting them close to where you usually have sex."

The brochure also tells students that laws requiring HIV-positive people to disclose their status to a partner "violate the rights of people living with HIV" and calls for advocacy to "change laws that violate your rights."

The brochure explains to the young girls, "There are many reasons that people do not share their HIV status. … They may worry that people will find out something else they have kept secret, like they are using injecting drugs, having sex outside of a marriage or having sex with people of the same gender."

The Girl Scouts also have worked in partnership with the YMCA on moderating a young women's caucus that included an "Intergenerational Conversation" side event on "universal access" and "reproductive health." One recent Girl Scout project "aims at securing the right of women, men and adolescents aged between ten and twenty-five, to better reproductive and sexual health."

The CSW finished with a "Joint Statement" from agencies ranging from the Population Fund and Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to the Children's Fund that called for support for programs "that empower … adolescent girls, particularly those aged 10 to 14 years."

The New York Times reported that the U.N. Population Fund had co-sponsored a controversial curriculum with UNESCO that taught children as young as five to be sexually active and trained adolescents to advocate for abortion.

Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women of America, told the Friday Fax, "Governments and NGOs should be aware of Planned Parenthood's insidious plan to work with U.N. agencies and girls' organizations in order to profit from encouraging kids to be sexually active."

Contact: Kathleen Farah
Source: WorldNetDaily
Publish Date: March 16, 2010
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Illinois Federation for Right to Life

2600 State Street, Ste E

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Phone: 618-466-4122

Web: www.ifrl.org

E-mail: mail@ifrl.org

 

House to Consider Bill Incentivizing Embryo Destruction

House to Consider Bill Incentivizing Embryo Destruction



A bill has been introduced to the House of Representatives that would set in stone guidelines developed for the National Institute of Health's embryo-destructive stem cell research. Pro-life sources on Capitol Hill warn, however, that the bill's wording goes farther than the NIH guidelines, providing broad authorization for research on stem cells taken from cloned embryos, and embryos conceived solely to be destroyed in research.

The "Stem Cell Research Advancement Act," HR 4808, was introduced by Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Mike Castle (R-DE) on March 9, the anniversary of President Obama's signing of an executive order to unleash funds for the research.

While guidelines proposed by the NIH ostensibly restricted research to only "leftover" embryos created for in-vitro fertilization, the legislation calls for the Secretary to “conduct and support research that utilizes human stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells” without any limitation regarding the purpose behind the creation of the embryo. 

Another section of HR 4808 directs the Secretary to update stem cell guidelines “as scientifically warranted” - leaving open the possibility that future embryonic stem-cell projects could be carried out against embryos created solely to be killed in research.

In addition, while the bill appears to bar use of the funds "for the conduct or support of human cloning," the language actually allows for the creation of such embryos, as long as they are not permitted to survive. This is because the bill defines "human cloning" as "the implantation" of a cloned embryo - rather than the creation of one - in Sec. 498F (c).

Last Wednesday, Rep. John Fleming (R-LA) commemorated the anniversary of Obama's executive order by denouncing the needless destruction of innocent human life.

"Our research and decisions must be life-affirming," said Fleming, who pointed out that research into adult stem cells - which do not take a human life - has already yielded scores of remedies for previously untreatable conditions. 

Meanwhile, embryo-destructive research, which Fleming called "out of date," has produced no reliable treatments to date.

Contact: Kathleen Gilbert
Source: LifeSiteNews.com
Publish Date: March 16, 2010
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Illinois Federation for Right to Life

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Phone: 618-466-4122

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E-mail: mail@ifrl.org

 

Abortion statement declared 'out of bounds'

Abortion statement declared 'out of bounds'

Catholic newspaper has been hauled into court for its statements about abortion.
 


The Katowice Appeal Court upheld a lower court's verdict against the Sunday Visitor and Fr. Marek Gancarczyk, the paper's editor-in-chief. Joseph Meaney, director of international coordination for Human Life International (HLI), reports the allegation is that the newspaper referred to abortion as "killing" a child.

"It is an amazing legal disrespect for both freedom of religion and freedom of the press," Meaney comments. "The judge actually had the gall to say that Christianity is a religion of love and this is what the language used by the Catholic press should be like. They're not allowed to say that abortion is the killing of a child."

The HLI coordination director finds it interesting that the paper's circulation has doubled since court action began, and people are now rallying to its side.

"The defense was citing what Mother Theresa of Calcutta said, 'If we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another,'" Meaney reports. "In other words, that statement from Mother Theresa would have been declared out of bounds in the Polish press."

The paper has been fined and ordered to publish an apology written by the court, but the case will be appealed. Meaney says neither the publication nor the church is backing down. Freedom-loving citizens are also lodging complaints with appropriate authorities.

Contact: Charlie Butts
Source: OneNewsNow
Publish Date: March 17, 2010
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Phone: 618-466-4122

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'Self-executing' healthcare - unconstitutional

'Self-executing' healthcare - unconstitutional

A congressional analyst says House Democrats would be violating the Constitution if they attempt to approve the Senate healthcare bill without voting on it.

 

The Constitution requires that a bill has to pass both the House and Senate to become law, but House Democrats are planning to simply "deem" that the House has passed the Senate healthcare bill without members even voting on it, and then send it to President Obama to sign.

New York Democrat Louise Slaughter, who chairs the House Rules Committee, may use a "self-executing rule" to say the Senate bill is approved by the House, even without a formal up or down vote on the measure.  The House would then only vote on the "reconciliation" corrections to the bill.

Brian Darling, director of Senate relations for The Heritage Foundation, reports that never in the nation's history has legislation so "monumental" been passed by the "self-executing" rule.

"If the House takes up a bill - the Senate-passed Obamacare - refuses to have a direct vote on it, yet sets up a mechanism to send it to the president and admits as much as Democratic leadership is admitting that the House members do not want to vote directly on the Senate-passed bill, that is a violation of the Constitution, the letter and the spirit," Darling contends. "It's not something that individuals should tolerate.  The courts should get involved in this, hopefully."

A vote on the Senate healthcare bill could take place as early as Friday night in the House, and the congressional analyst believes if the bill does not pass this week, the Democrats' healthcare reform plan may be dead for good.

Contact: Jim Brown
Source: OneNewsNow
Publish Date: March 17, 2010
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Phone: 618-466-4122

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E-mail: mail@ifrl.org

 

'Abortion Changes You' Ads Reach St. Louis Commuters

'Abortion Changes You' Ads Reach St. Louis Commuters
 
Five billboards convey message of hope, support after abortion



St. Louis commuters will view five billboards stating 'abortion changes you' over the next few weeks. The billboards are part of the same outreach appearing this month in New York City subways. The billboards echo some of the experiences of men and women after an abortion. A woman shares, "I thought my life would be the way it was before", while another says, "We made the decision together but I've never felt so alone". An ad featuring a male shares, "I thought I was helping my girlfriend".

The billboards refer viewers to AbortionChangesYou.com. The Web site is a safe place separate from politics, labels, and debate. The site includes an interactive grief and loss healing model developed with the help of psychologists. Men, women, and family members can begin the healing process by journaling, exploring emotions, posting artwork and more. Visitors can also connect with support groups and counseling in their local area through the 'Find Help' section.

"One in three women will have an abortion in the United States -- and many women and men feel isolated and alone after their experience," says Michaelene Fredenburg, creator of the ads and author of Changed: Making Sense of Your Own or a Loved One's Abortion Experience, "When I had my abortion I kept it a secret for a long time because I was afraid of how people would react. Few people know how to talk about abortion in a safe way."

Individuals can experience a range of emotions after their own abortion or the abortion of someone close to them -- from feelings of relief, to confusion, to profound grief. The grief associated with reproductive losses (such as abortion, miscarriage, and stillbirth) is often minimized, denied, and considered to be outside the normal "grieving rules" of society -- especially when it comes to abortion.

"I believe that women, men, and family need a safe place to experience their own range of emotions apart from controversy and debate. That is why I started the Abortion Changes You outreach," says Fredenburg.

The Abortion Changes You outreach images will remain on billboards on the I-207, Highway 367, I-270, US 40, and I-64 through the first week of April.

Contact: Suzanna Kennedy
Source: Abortion Changes You
Publish Date: March 16, 2010
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Phone: 618-466-4122

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E-mail: mail@ifrl.org

 

NEWS SHORTS FOR WEDNESDAY

NEWS SHORTS FOR WEDNESDAY

Morning-After Abortion Pill Does Not Cut Teen Pregnancy In UK



Providing the morning-after pill in advance does nothing to cut teenage pregnancy rates, researchers claim. The use of emergency contraception doubled in just six years, but the latest data shows it has failed to slash rates of conception or sexually transmitted infections. The findings by the respected Cochrane Library Review cast serious doubt over the Government's decision to promote emergency contraception as part of its Teenage Pregnancy Strategy. Ministers hoped easier access to morning-after pills through pharmacies and even schools would bring down rates of unplanned pregnancies and abortions. In 1996, six per cent of women who requested an abortion had tried emergency contraception first. By 2002, this figure had doubled to 12 percent.
Click here for the entire article from the Daily Mail.


Tennessee Killing Regulation Would Require 'Abortion Coercion' Signs



A House committee on Tuesday delayed a vote on legislation that would require abortion clinics in Tennessee to post anti-coercion signs because of concerns from some lawmakers. The state House Health and Human Resources Committee decided to put off the vote for a week to give lawmakers more time to review the measure sponsored Rep. Susan Lynn. The Mt. Juliet Republican said she was expecting House Bill 3301 to move forward. "We ... worked really hard on this bill in subcommittee and really tried to work with everyone involved to make everyone happy," she said. "I am disappointed it was rolled a week, but hopeful next week will be the final week." Any type of coercion to have an abortion is prohibited under current law. But Lynn said some women may not know that and the sign simply spells out what's in the law.
Click here for the entire article from the Tennessean.


Some Black Pro-Lifers Say Abortion Is Genocide



It used to be that the pro-life movement was associated with the white religious right, the most extreme elements of which were bent on saving women from hell and damnation for killing their fetuses. Now as more black women seek abortions, the banner has been taken up by some black pro-lifers. The Root spoke with several pro-life black clergy to find out what's behind the shift. Members of the black clergy say their pro-life message is nothing new, and they have been sounding the drumbeat for over two decades. What is new is that people are finally paying attention to them. That may have something to do with shifting attitudes.
Click here for the entire article from The Root.


Meet Two Babies Saved from Abortion



Over the last few days, I was on a whirlwind tour of Southern California -- from Fresno down to San Diego. In addition to speaking at two pregnancy center banquets, I was able to visit numerous 40 Days for Life sites and meet for dinner with several dozen local 40 Days for Life campaign leaders. It was a very hope-filled trip!

I brought along my pocket camcorder and shot footage all along the way -- and just posted a highlight video online for you (click here for the video)
Click here for the entire article from LifeSiteNews.


Publicly funded eugenics



In motion is a dizzying array of both legitimate and nefarious factors that might sway some votes. But the Democratic pro-life caucus is key, one way or the other.

Pro-abort Democratic leadership stopped trying to strike a compromise with Stu-PAC late last week, finally realizing, as House GOP Minority Leader John Boehner put it, abortion is "one of those issues that, literally, can't split the baby." (Well, pro-aborts wouldn't mind, but pro-lifers do.)

But along the way, pro-abort Democratic leadership apparently engaged Stupak in some interesting conversations....
Click here for the entire article from WorldNetDaily.


Alaskans to Vote on Abortion Initiative
 


The Alaska election board has certified that pro-lifers have enough signatures to put a parental involvement initiative on the state's August primary ballot.

The measure would require parental notification before a minor could get an abortion.

Petition-gathers collected more than 36,000 signatures.  They needed approximately 33,000 to put the measure to a vote. The signatures were certified last week.
Click here for the entire article from CitizenLink.

 

 

Illinois Federation for Right to Life

2600 State Street, Ste E

Alton, IL  62002

 

Phone: 618-466-4122

Web: www.ifrl.org

E-mail: mail@ifrl.org