LifeNews.com Pro-Life News Report
Thursday, March 18, 2010
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Current Headlines
• Democrats Want Saturday Vote on Pro-Abortion Health Care, Don't Have Votes
• Republicans to Try to Stop Slaughter Rule for Pro-Abortion Health Care Thursday
• New Poll: Opposition to Pro-Abortion Health Care Highest Yet, Democrat Misleads
• Poll Reveals 46% of Doctors Would Quit if Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill Passed
• Planned Parenthood Centers Using Dangerous Abortion Drug More, Survey Shows
• Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill Would Get Lawsuit From Virginia if Approved
• Former Co-Chair of House Pro-Life Caucus, Oberstar to Back Pro-Abortion Bill
• Dale Kildee Draws Pro-Life Scorn for Backing Pro-Abortion Senate Health Bill
• Planned Parenthood Claims Stupak Would Ban Insurance Coverage for Abortion
• Pro-Life Group Heads to New Mexico to Take on Late-Term Abortion Practitioners
• New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Wants to Cut Planned Parenthood Funding
• Idaho Sends Bill for Conscience Rights for Pro-Life Medical Staff to Governor
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Democrats Want Saturday Vote on Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill, Don't Have Votes
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- House Democrats are still looking for a vote on the pro-abortion health care bill this weekend. Though they picked up momentum today with more members saying they would support the legislation, they still don't appear to have enough votes to pass the measure and its abortion funding and promotion.
Majority Whip James Clyburn, the number three Democrat in the House, said today that he expects a weekend vote.
"I think it will happen by this weekend," Clyburn said on MSNBC.
I think so, he said about having enough votes by Saturday. I'm closer than I was yesterday. And I'll be closer tomorrow than I am today.
Clyburn said earlier this week that the vote could be pushed back to the April 4th Easter holiday, but Democrats received some momentum today.
Giving credence to some of the skepticism on the vote, Rules Committee Chairwoman Louise Slaughter said today, "I don't expect to meet until Saturday -- if then."
Rep. Dennis Kucinich, the former presidential candidate and Ohio congressman who upset pro-life advocates when he switched from a pro-life to pro-abortion position, flip-flopped on the bill after arm twisting from President Barack Obama and will change his no vote on the House measure to yes on the Senate bill. Full story at LifeNews.com
--> ACTION: Contact your member of Congress to oppose the pro-abortion health care bill by going to http://www.House.gov and then tell every pro-life friend and family member to do the same. Urge opposition to the Senate bill, the companion measure and the Slaughter Rule.
Republicans to Try to Stop Slaughter Rule for Pro-Abortion Health Care Thursday
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- House Republicans plan to attempt on Thursday to stop Democrats from using the Slaughter Rule, a procedural motion that would allow the House to pass the pro-abortion Senate health care bill by a procedural motion "deeming" it passed without actually taking a vote on it.
GOP lawmakers hope to force a vote tomorrow on a motion that would say Democrats can't use the Slaughter Rule to bypass a direct vote.
While they would likely have not have the votes to force the issue, some Democrats may not want to go on record as supporting a controversial plan to pass the Senate bill without actually voting on it.
Alabama Rep. Parker Griffith, a Republican who recently switched parties, will sponsor the resolution.
The idea would also give Republicans a bit of a public relations advantage as Democrats would have to explain to Americans why they would prefer passing the bill without allowing a vote on it directly, says David Freddoso of the Washington Examiner.
"Process stories don't usually get legs outside of Washington, but the health care bill is being watched by so many people that any attempt to pass it without a vote will probably exacerbate Democrats' plight," he said.
"They're trying to defend themselves against the talking point that they voted for the corrupt elements of the Senate bill," Freddoso added. "But in doing this, they're also opening themselves up to another talking point -- namely that they tried to evade responsibility for their unpopular health care bill by avoiding a vote on it." Full story at LifeNews.com
New Poll: Opposition to Pro-Abortion Health Care Highest Yet, Democrat Misleads
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new Wall St. Journal poll finds opposition to the pro-abortion Senate health care bill at its highest levels yet, but a top Democrat misrepresented the poll. The new WSJ survey follows a recent Rasmussen poll showing a majority of Americans oppose the bill that will fund and promote abortions.
The Wall St. Journal poll found that opinions have solidified against the government-run health care legislation, with 48% calling it a "bad idea" and 36% viewing it as a "good idea."
The 48 percent saying the bill is a bad idea is an all-time high for the WSJ poll dating back to its first survey on the issue in April 2009.
Those saying it is a good idea are down from its high in September and October, when 38-39 percent of Americans said so.
Despite the clear split among Americans in opposition to the pro-abortion health care bill, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, the number two Democrat behind Nancy Pelosi, misrepresented the results.
"Since the President addressed the nation on health care, the support has gone up 18 points," Hoyer said on ABC's Good Morning America. "And a Wall Street Journal poll that just came out shows a majority of those responding indicate they're for the bill." Full story at LifeNews.com
Poll Reveals 46% of Doctors Would Quit if Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill Passed
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new poll that should cause significant concerns for backers of the pro-abortion Senate health care bill finds nearly half the nation's physicians would consider quitting if the bill becomes law. The New England Journal of Medicine survey indicates 46 percent of doctors would consider leaving their practice.
The poll finds 46.3% of primary care physicians (family medicine and internal medicine) feel that the passing of a public option will either force them out of medicine or make them want to leave medicine.
Doctors also seem to understand the impact that will have as 72% of physicians feel that a public option would have a negative impact on physician supply, with 45% feeling it will decline or worsen dramatically and 27% predicting it will decline or worsen somewhat.
The medical journal issued an editorial saying it didn't think that many doctors would quit but did worry about the adverse impact.
While a sudden loss of half of the nations physicians seems unlikely, a very dramatic decrease in the physician workforce could become a reality as an unexpected side effect of health reform," it said.
Another 62.7% of physicians feel that health reform is needed but should be implemented in a more targeted, gradual way, as opposed to the sweeping overhaul that is in legislation. The respected medical journal also found 41% of physicians feel that income and practice revenue will decline or worsen dramatically and 30% feel income will decline or worsen somewhat with a public option. Full story at LifeNews.com
Planned Parenthood Centers Using Dangerous Abortion Drug More, Survey Shows
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A national survey of Planned Parenthood abortion centers finds a higher number are giving women the dangerous RU 486 abortion drug that has killed at least 13 women worldwide and injured more than 1,100 in the U.S. alone. The increase comes as one woman received attention for live blogging her abortion.
Yesterday, the American Life League released its annual survey of Planned Parenthood locations.
The pro-life group tells LifeNews.com that the number of locations dispensing the dangeorus abortion drug has risen 130 percent since its last national survey, even though the overall number of Planned Parenthood centers is on the decline.
Rita Diller, national director of ALL s Stop Planned Parenthood project, commented on the results.
While we are thrilled to see the number of Planned Parenthood affiliates and facilities declining, we are extremely dismayed to see Planned Parenthood continuing to build its abortion business by increasing the number of facilities administering deadly abortion pills, she told LifeNews.com.
The drug has killed eight women alone in the United States because Planned Parenthood previously told women using it to use the drug vaginally instead of orally. That causes the introduction of bacteria that resulted in lethal infections causing their deaths. Full story at LifeNews.com
Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill Would Get Lawsuit From Virginia if Approved
Richmond, VA (LifeNews.com) -- The pro-abortion government-run health care bill would find itself the subject of a lawsuit from Virginia officials should Congress approve it and Obama sign it into law. A lawsuit from the state could join another potential suit if Democrats use the Slaughter Rule to pass the bill without voting on it.
Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, a pro-life Republican, made the comments about the potential lawsuit in an address to the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday.
He said the Healthcare Freedom Act awaiting Gov. Bob McDonnell s signature would will give us more basis to challenge the legislation, he said, according to the Martinsville Bulletin newspaper.
Although federal law typically trumps state law, if McDonnell signs the Virginia measure, Cuccinelli said I intend to file suit to challenge the law s constitutionality."
Virginia's General Assembly voted 80-17 Wednesday to accept Senate amendments to the bill that bans mandatory health insurance coverage. The bill would exempt the state's citizens from any federal requirement that they purchase health insurance against their will. Full story at LifeNews.com
Former Co-Chair of House Pro-Life Caucus, Oberstar to Back Pro-Abortion Bill
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Minnesota Rep. James Oberstar, a longtime pro-life advocate who was once the co-chairman of the House Pro-Life Caucus before Rep. Bart Stupak, says he will vote for the pro-abortion health care bill. Meanwhile, undecided Rep. Marcy Kaptur is still leaning no and talked about a recent Catholic endorsement.
Oberstar said today, according to Politico, that he will support the bill after reviewing the abortion language in the Senate health care bill.
Despite unanimous opposition from pro-life groups to the abortion language, that allows both taxpayer funding and promotion of abortion, Oberstar says he's a yes vote.
"I wanted to see the language, understand it better, have conversations with Sen. Nelson," Oberstar said Wednesday. "On balance, it does what we need to do."
While he talked with Nelson, the Nebraska Democrat who lost his standing with pro-life advocates for authorizing the pro-abortion language, Oberstar said he has not talked with Stupak about supporting the bill.
The congressman said he was not influenced by outside groups, like the Catholic Health Association, which have opposed or supported the bill. Full story at LifeNews.com
ACTION: Contact Jim Oberstar - http://oberstar.house.gov
Dale Kildee Draws Pro-Life Scorn for Backing Pro-Abortion Senate Health Bill
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Congress Dale Kildee used to be able to consider himself one of the pro-life Democratic champions until today. For leading pro-life groups, he removed his name from the list of pro-life luminaries by endorsing the pro-abortion Senate health care bill that funds and promotes abortions.
Thought to be part of the Stupak coalition of pro-life Democrats joining Republicans in opposition to the pro-abortion measure, Kildee announced today he will vote for it.
Kildee downplayed the problems in the Senate bill and went as far as claiming it will not fund abortions and using religious terms to support his decision.
"I am convinced that the Senate language maintains the Hyde Amendment, which states that no federal money can be used for abortion," Kildee added even though the Hyde amendment doesn't apply to the bill.
Kildee's decision drew strong condemnation from pro-life advocates back home in Michigan.
"Today, Rep. Dale Kildee announced he will support the Senate-passed health care bill. This statement from Rep. Kildee is disappointing coming from a person who calls himself pro-life," Right to Life of Michigan president Barb Listing told LifeNews.com. "The Senate health care bill would expand the role of the federal government in abortion procedures because it excludes the language of the Hyde amendment," she explained. Full story at LifeNews.com
ACTION: Contact Dale Kildee at http://www.house.gov/kildee
Planned Parenthood Claims Stupak Would Ban Insurance Coverage for Abortion
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The Stupak amendment is no longer on the table for discussion in the health care bill, but that hasn't stopped Planned Parenthood from railing against it. The abortion business is emailing its membership with wild-eyed clams that somehow it or the Senate health care bill would ban insurance coverage for abortion.
Although the House version of the bill contains the Stupak amendment, that bill isn't up for consideration as the House is planning a vote on the Senate measure (or a procedural rule to "deem" it approved).
In an amazing claim today, Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards says the Stupak amendment would ban private insurance companies from covering abortion.
"Now that Congressional leaders and the White House are pushing for a final vote on health care reform, Congressman Bart Stupak and his allies - including the National Conference of Catholic Bishops - are threatening to bring down the entire bill unless it eliminates private health insurance coverage for abortion," Richards claims.
Neither the House nor the Senate bill contain any language banning abortion coverage in private health insurance. Full story at LifeNews.com
Pro-Life Group Heads to New Mexico to Take on Late-Term Abortion Practitioners
Albuquerque, NM (LifeNews.com) -- A national pro-life group that focused its attention and energy on holding late-term abortion practitioner George Tiller accountable for botched and illegal abortions is responding to the latest news that some of his former staff have gone to New Mexico to do late-term abortions there.
As LifeNews.com reported yesterday, a Los Angeles Times story shows Curtis Boyd, an Albuquerque, New Mexico abortion practitioner, came out of retirement to start doing late-term abortions.
Two former Tiller abortion practitioners, Susan Robinson and Shelley Sella, will do the abortions with him.
Operation Rescue president Troy Newman emailed LifeNews.com today about the development.
"We knew about this arrangement well before the LA Times printed their story on Tuesday, and have been in contact with local pro-life leaders in Albuquerque to offer what assistance we can to their efforts to expose the horrific nature of late-term abortions and pray for those involved," he explained.
With the need to monitor these horrific abortions, Newman said his group is making moves to begin monitoring Boyd's outfit. Full story at LifeNews.com
| Looking for a pro-life speaker for your next banquet, conference or convention? LifeNews.com editor Steven Ertelt is a low-cost speaker who can entertain and educate your audience as well as help you with a fundraising pitch if necessary. He can also speak on any pro-life topic. For more information, email news@LifeNews.com. |
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Wants to Cut Planned Parenthood Funding
Trenton, NJ (LifeNews.com) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is drawing applause from pro-life advocates for suggesting in his new state budget that taxpayers shouldn't be forced to fund the Planned Parenthood abortion business. Since the 1970's, state family planning agencies run by Planned Parenthood, have been receiving millions of taxpayer dollars.
Governor Christie delivered his 2011 budget address yesterday and he proposed eliminating the $7.6 million in family planing dollars, most of which goes to the abortion business.
The money, which doesn't directly funds abortions but supports birth control, clearly hasn't been effective in reducing abortions as New Jersey has the second highest rate of teen abortions in the nation.
Marie Tasy, the president of New Jersey Right to Life, told LifeNews.com her group supports the move and hopes the state legislature will sign off on it.
"For years, Planned Parenthood has been part of the problem and not the solution," she said. " Planned Parenthood promotes abortion and refers minors for abortion without parental involvement."
Though the money doesn't pay for abortions directly, she says the state budget has essentially allowed Planned Parenthood to be refunded for doing them. Full story at LifeNews.com
ACTION: Contact Governor Christie at http://www.state.nj.us/governor/contact to thank him.
Idaho Sends Bill for Conscience Rights for Pro-Life Medical Staff to Governor
Boise, ID (LifeNews.com) -- The Idaho state legislature put the finishing touches on a measure that would create statutory protections for health care professionals in specific areas of medical practice.
House members passed the bill 51-19 on a mostly party line vote with Democratic Rep. Branden Durst of Boise and James Ruchti of Pocatello joining GOP lawmakers.
Only two Republicans voted against the measure (George Eskridge of Sandpoint and Tom Trail of Moscow).
The measure makes it so pro-life health care workers don't have to fear for their jobs if they decide they don't want to dispense drugs that could be used to cause abortions or kill patients at the end of their life.
The House sponsor for the legislation, Rep. Tom Loertscher, refuted opposition from AARP saying that the bill doesn't deny people health care or make health decisions for them. Full story at LifeNews.com
ACTION: Contact the governor to support the bill at
http://gov.idaho.gov/WebRespond/contact_form.html
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