LifeNews.com Pro-Life News Report
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
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• Obama Admin, Sebelius: Public Option Still Part of Pro-Abortion Health Care
• Pro-Life Women's Group Targets Pro-Abortion Senate Leader Harry Reid
• Pro-Life Columnist Bob Novak Dies, Enjoyed Writing Against Abortion
• Health Care Could Result in 300-600K More Abortions, Scrap Pro-Life Laws
• AARP Loses 60,000 Members by Supporting Pro-Rationing Health Care
• FDA Delays Geron's Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Trials
• Late-Term Abortion Practitioner LeRoy Carhart Faces Nebraska Probe
• Oklahoma Judge Tosses Abortion-Ultrasound on Procedural Technicality
• Mass. Man Arrested, Stabbed Pregnant Girlfriend After Abortion Refusal
• Mexico Sees Pro-Life Attorneys File Suit to Overturn Mexico City Abortions
• New Brunswick Won't Appeal Morgentaler Tax-Funded Abortions Decision
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Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The Obama administration and his health secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, have backtracked and now both say the public option is a part of the government-run health care plan they want Congress to approve. The two appeared to back down from supporting it over the weekend but have reversed course. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Tuesday that, yes, President Obama still thinks a public option ought to be part of the discussion. He insisted in a fiery press briefing that there has been no change. Gibbs insisted that the president has been “consistently dull” in saying that while he prefers the public option. Gibbs presented CNN's Ed Henry with a transcript of the president's town hall meeting in Colorado over the weekend and said the transcript proved Sebelius had not gone off message. When asked, however, how the White House’s refusal to demand a public option might be construed by Congressional Democrats, Gibbs responded: “I'm not a Democratic member of Congress.” Meanwhile, Sebelius is backpedaling furiously from statements she made Sunday regarding Obama's plans for government-run health care. On Sunday, Sebelius stunned many Americans when she said that a public option was "not the essential element" of health care reform. Today, Sebelius' message at a Medicare conference was different. "Here's the bottom line: Absolutely nothing has changed. We continue to support the public option," she said. Full story at LifeNews.com.ACTION: Contact members of the House and Senate and urge strong support for any amendment to exclude abortion and rationing from their health care bills. Ask them to oppose any health care bill that allows abortion funding or rationing. Call 202-224-3121 or go to http://www.House.gov and http://www.Senate.gov for specific contact information.Pro-Life Women's Group Targets Pro-Abortion Senate Leader Harry Reid
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A national pro-life women's group is joining other organizations that are taking on pro-abortion Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, whom polls show may be the most vulnerable Democrat in the 2010 elections. Reid is one of the many pro-life Democrats who appear to have abandoned opposition to abortion. The Susan B. Anthony List is fund-raising to bring in donations to run a new ad in television stations in Reid's home state of Nevada. The ad points out how Reid is no longer voting pro-life and how he is exposing the pro-life position he still claims to adhere to by backing the pro-abortion health care bills in Congress. "Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he's pro-life but he voted to use U.S. tax dollars to fund overseas abortions. He also voted to deny health care to deny health care to unborn children of low income women," the ad explains. "Now Harry Reid is pushing a massive government-run health care system requiring taxpayer funding for abortions. And he won't allow doctors or nurses the right to object," the SBA ad continues. "Harry Reid says he's pro-life, so call him and tell him this time to vote that way." Full story at LifeNews.com.
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A national pro-life women's group is joining other organizations that are taking on pro-abortion Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, whom polls show may be the most vulnerable Democrat in the 2010 elections. Reid is one of the many pro-life Democrats who appear to have abandoned opposition to abortion. The Susan B. Anthony List is fund-raising to bring in donations to run a new ad in television stations in Reid's home state of Nevada. The ad points out how Reid is no longer voting pro-life and how he is exposing the pro-life position he still claims to adhere to by backing the pro-abortion health care bills in Congress. "Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he's pro-life but he voted to use U.S. tax dollars to fund overseas abortions. He also voted to deny health care to deny health care to unborn children of low income women," the ad explains. "Now Harry Reid is pushing a massive government-run health care system requiring taxpayer funding for abortions. And he won't allow doctors or nurses the right to object," the SBA ad continues. "Harry Reid says he's pro-life, so call him and tell him this time to vote that way." Full story at LifeNews.com.Pro-Life Syndicated Columnist Bob Novak Dies, Enjoyed Writing Against Abortion
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Robert Novak, the pro-life syndicated columnist and political television analyst has died after battling brain cancer. His wife, Geraldine Novak, informed his hometown newspaper, the Chicago Sun-Times, that Novak, who was 78 years-old, died at home today. Novak was long known as the host of CNN's "Crossfire" and had been a columnist for the Sun-Times for decades. His columns, which were syndicated in newspapers across the nation, were well-regarded for their investigative qualities and he consistently advocated the pro-life view -- regularly holding abortion advocates accountable for their deeds and misstatements. But Novak wasn't always a pro-life muckraker."When I started out, I didn't have any agenda or tablet of principles at all. But in the course of writing about things and getting exclusive information, I might have helped certain causes," he once said in an interview. "When we started the column, Rowly and I were neutral on abortion, maybe leaning toward pro-choice. I began to read, think about it, and by the time I embraced Catholicism, I was adamantly against abortion. I'm happy that I moved in that direction." Full story at LifeNews.com.Health Care Bills Could Result in 300-600K More Abortions, Scrap Pro-Life Laws
by Maria Vitale
So-called health care reform could become the worst thing to happen to abortion rates since Roe v. Wade. When you hear the phrase “health care reform,” you might think of cutting costs, eliminating arcane rules, and ensuring coverage for the hard-to-insure. Raising abortion rates would not seem to be a logical part of the equation. Yet, consider this quote from one of the primary experts in abortion law, National Right to Life Legislative Director Douglas Johnson: “The Kennedy bill would result in the greatest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade.” That’s because the Senate proposal would result in federally mandates coverage of abortion in nearly all health plans. The feds would also mandate recruitment of abortionists by local health networks—a scary thought. Abortion would be federally funded on a gargantuan scale. We know from experience that taxpayer funding of abortion results in more abortions. It’s been estimated that the health care reform plans now on the table could increase abortions by 300,000 to 600,000 a year because of federal subsidies for abortion. Full story at LifeNews.com.
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The nation's largest organization for seniors is losing members thanks to its support of a health care agenda that includes rationing health care. Although the group has not technically endorsed the House and Senate bills specifically, it has put enough of its imprimatur on them that President Barack Obama wrongly said AARP endorsed the bills in a recent town hall forum. In materials provided to CBS News on Monday, AARP said 60,000 citizens have left its membership rolls in protest over its general support for the government-run health care plan. AARP spokesman Drew Nannis said it is not unusual for the group to lose members when it advocates controversial positions on issues. Full story at LifeNews.com.FDA Delays Geron's Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Trials, Seeks Data
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The Food and Drug Administration is delaying a bid by biotech company Geron to become the first to conduct human trials with embryonic stem cells. The move is drawing applause from pro-life advocates who oppose the use of the cells because they involve the destruction of human life to obtain. Geron officials said today that the FDA is reviewing new data from studies of the therapy, called GRNOPC1, in its use with animals. Scientists and pro-life advocates say human embryonic stem cells are not ready for trial because problems associated with the cells in animals haven't been solved. The embryonic stem cells still cause tumors and have issues with the immune system rejecting the injection of the cells. Geron had planned to begin the trials this summer but said it will halt that pending the FDA review and did not know how long it would take the regulatory agency to conduct its evaluation. The FDA initially cleared the trials in January, which would involve 8 to 10 patients. Embryonic stem cell research has never cured or helped any patients to this point. Only the use of adult stem cells and treatments derived from them have cured or reduced the effects of any diseases or conditions afflicting patients. Full story at LifeNews.com.
Late-Term Abortion Practitioner LeRoy Carhart Faces Nebraska State Investigation
Bellevue, NE (LifeNews.com) -- Nebraska-based late-term abortion practitioner LeRoy Carhart is facing an investigation from state officials. A pro-life group that has been trying to stop Carhart from expanding his abortion business into Kansas to take over from slain abortion practitioner George Tiller informed LifeNews.com of the probe. Operation Rescue officials say they have received written confirmation from the Nebraska Attorney General's office about the investigation. The office says a request for a comprehensive investigation into Carhart's abortion business has been directed to the Nebraska Department of Health and Environment where the progress that agency's investigation will be monitored by the Attorney General's office. "We asked for an investigation, and we are getting one. This alone is a victory," OR president Troy Newman told LifeNews.com. "This is the first step down a road that could lead to the revocation of Carhart's medical license or even criminal charges," Newman added. Full story at LifeNews.com.
Bellevue, NE (LifeNews.com) -- Nebraska-based late-term abortion practitioner LeRoy Carhart is facing an investigation from state officials. A pro-life group that has been trying to stop Carhart from expanding his abortion business into Kansas to take over from slain abortion practitioner George Tiller informed LifeNews.com of the probe. Operation Rescue officials say they have received written confirmation from the Nebraska Attorney General's office about the investigation. The office says a request for a comprehensive investigation into Carhart's abortion business has been directed to the Nebraska Department of Health and Environment where the progress that agency's investigation will be monitored by the Attorney General's office. "We asked for an investigation, and we are getting one. This alone is a victory," OR president Troy Newman told LifeNews.com. "This is the first step down a road that could lead to the revocation of Carhart's medical license or even criminal charges," Newman added. Full story at LifeNews.com.
Oklahoma City, OK (LifeNews.com) -- A state judge in Oklahoma has struck down a pro-life law that would allow women a chance to see an ultrasound of their baby before the abortion begins. An abortion business, represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights, a pro-abortion law firm based in New York, filed suit to prevent women from seeing them. The pro-abortion law firm filed the suit on behalf of Nova Health Systems which operates the Reproductive Services abortion business in Tulsa. In the case of Nova Health Systems v. Henry, the County District Court in Oklahoma struck down SB 1878. Mary Spaulding Balch, the director of state legislation for the National right to Life Committee, told LifeNews.com after the decision that NRLC and its state affiliate, Oklahomans for Life, supported the measure. “The court’s ruling is by no means a condemnation of the commonsense protections provided for in the legislation,” Balch explained. “The court’s decision was based solely on a procedural issue and not the substantive matters addressed in the bill.”Full story at LifeNews.com.Massachusetts Man Arrested, Stabbed Pregnant Girlfriend After Abortion Refusal
Southbridge, MA (LifeNews.com) -- A Massachusetts man has been arrested and is in policy custody following an alleged multiple stabbing which saw him attack his pregnant girlfriend after she refused to have an abortion. Police say they have 18-year-old Alex Santana in custody and he is being held on $500,000 bail. Officials say Santana repeatedly stabbed Leah Diver on Friday afternoon after the two had an argument about her pregnancy. Santana was ordered on bail after entering a not guilty plea through his attorney in Dudley District Court. He faces charges of armed assault with intent to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He is slated to return to court for an initial hearing on September 28. Diver is 28 years-old and is currently in critical condition at a Worcester hospital. Police say her baby survived the attack. Full story at LifeNews.com.Mexico Sees Pro-Life Attorneys File Lawsuit to Overturn Mexico City Abortion Law
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A group of pro-life Catholic attorneys in Mexico have filed a second legal challenge to the recent law in Mexico City that legalized abortions. The federal district's legislative assembly, in April 2007, approved a bill that legalized abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. While legal abortions in very limited cases such as rape and incest occur in various parts of the country, Mexico largely prohibits abortions. The Archdiocese of Mexico City’s weekly newspaper, Desde la Fe, said in April that 23,000 abortions that have been done since legalization and notes that at least 14 women have died from legal abortions in just two years. A prior legal challenge filed at the nation's top Supreme Court that pro-life advocates said was a partial victory because it did not establish abortion as a constitutional right that would affect all states and jurisdictions in Mexico. Now, the College of Catholic Lawyers of Mexico has filed a legal complaint with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. The group contends the abortion law violates Article 1 of the American Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Man. Full story at LifeNews.com.New Brunswick Won't Appeal Morgentaler Tax-Funded Abortions Decision
Fredericton, Canada (LifeNews.com) -- The Canadian province of New Brunswick will not appeal a Court of Appeal decision that unanimously ruled against the province on taxpayer funding of abortion. New Brunswick has been fighting with infamous abortion practitioner Henry Morgentaler on paying for abortions through the health care program. Last November, the provincial government appealed a court decision allowing Morgentaler to sue to require it to pay for abortions at his business. The Court of Appeal upheld the ruling of Court of Queen's Bench judge who said Morgentaler could sue. His bid to make citizens fund abortions at his private abortion business, at a cost of $750 each through the medicare program, dates back to 2003. The Liberal government's decision paves the way for the actual lawsuit to move forward and Health Minister Mary Schryer announced today that the province will accept the court's decision that Morgentaler has legal standing. "The legal case will continue to move forward. The position of the province of New Brunswick has not changed in respect to this issue. As the larger legal matter remains before the courts, I will not make further comments," she said. Full story at LifeNews.com.
Fredericton, Canada (LifeNews.com) -- The Canadian province of New Brunswick will not appeal a Court of Appeal decision that unanimously ruled against the province on taxpayer funding of abortion. New Brunswick has been fighting with infamous abortion practitioner Henry Morgentaler on paying for abortions through the health care program. Last November, the provincial government appealed a court decision allowing Morgentaler to sue to require it to pay for abortions at his business. The Court of Appeal upheld the ruling of Court of Queen's Bench judge who said Morgentaler could sue. His bid to make citizens fund abortions at his private abortion business, at a cost of $750 each through the medicare program, dates back to 2003. The Liberal government's decision paves the way for the actual lawsuit to move forward and Health Minister Mary Schryer announced today that the province will accept the court's decision that Morgentaler has legal standing. "The legal case will continue to move forward. The position of the province of New Brunswick has not changed in respect to this issue. As the larger legal matter remains before the courts, I will not make further comments," she said. Full story at LifeNews.com.Encourage Friends to Sign Up for Free Pro-Life News From LifeNews.com
