LifeNews.com Pro-Life News Report
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
| For pro-life news updated throughout the day, visit LifeNews.com. |
Current Headlines
• Obama Signing Reconciliation Health Care Bill With No Fixes for Abortion Funding
• New Catholic Bishops Memo: Abortion in Health Care Despite Obama Order
• USA Today Poll Confirms: Americans Disapprove of Obama, Health Care Bill
• No Reproductive Justice for Women When Prenatal Diagnosis Pushes Abortion
• Pro-Lifers to Challenge Obama's Calling Saving Terri Schiavo a "Mistake"
• Getting Lower Maternal Mortality Worldwide Shouldn't Mean Promoting Abortion
• Nevada Senate Candidate Sue Lowden Gets Pro-Life Women's Group's Backing
• Baltimore Archdiocese Sues City over New Law Targeting Pregnancy Centers
• Missouri House Approves Abortion Waiting Period, Stopping Pressured Abortions
• Idaho Gov Allows Conscience Rights for Pro-Life Medical Staff to Become Law
• Duke University Women's Center Issues Apology to Pro-Life Group After Dustup
• Pro-Life News: Terri Schiavo, Indiana, Planned Parenthood, Iowa, Nevada, Abortion
---> You can use the following donation link to send an online donation to LifeNews.com (if it doesn't work for your email, just go to our web site and click the same image on the left-hand side).
Obama Signing Reconciliation Health Care Bill With No Fixes for Abortion Funding
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- President Barack Obama is signing the reconciliation bill -- the second part of the new government-run health care system that makes changes to the law he signed last week. Although the bill "fixes" problems on unrelated political issues, it does not alter the abortion funding or promotion in the law he signed.
Obama's signing comes as Americans still oppose the pro-abortion health care bill, give him low approval ratings and support lawsuits seeking to overturn it in court.
The "fixes" bill received final legislative approval last Thursday with a 220-207 vote in the House and a 56-43 vote in the Senate. In both cases, some pro-life Democrats joined all Republicans to oppose the bill.
Before the final Senate vote, senators rejected a pro-life amendment that would have denied coverage of the dangerous RU 486/mifepristone abortion drug responsible for killing more than 13 women worldwide and injuring at least 1,100 in the United States.
Senators voted 57 to 42 to kill the Coburn amendment and the vote saw pro-life Democrat Ben Nelson, who came under fire for putting abortion funding in the Senate health care bill, join all Republicans in voting against the motion to table.
Under the health care bill Obama signed, there is no ban on abortion funding. While some states can opt out of funding abortions under the plan, taxpayers in other states will be forced to pay for them. Full story at LifeNews.com
New Catholic Bishops Memo: Abortion in Health Care Despite Obama Order
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The nation's Catholic bishops have released a new detailed legal memorandum analyzing both the health care bill President Barack Obama signed into law and the executive order he issued. The memo says abortion funding is still present in the new law despite the executive order.
It confirms what other USSCB officials and pro-life groups have said about the abortion funding the the failureof the executive order to correct the problems.
Anthony Picarello, General Counsel for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Michael Moses, the USCCB Associate General Counsel, authored the extensive memo.
"Although we wish it were otherwise, we must conclude that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, poses serious problems in these two areas [abortion funding and conscience protection] and that the Executive Order does not correct those problems," they conclude.
They say the health care bill violates both provisions of the Hyde amendment -- which, only pertaining to the federal budget, stops abortion funding and funding abortions in federal health insurance programs.
The attorneys note that, since the bill lacks any specific ban on abortion funding, "federal funds that PPACA appropriates anywhere else, including, at a minimum, Community Health Centers, are unrestricted by Hyde and so must be used to pay for abortions."
"Thus, the stated purpose of this provision of the Executive Order is commendable, but the provision is ineffective apart from the two particular contexts where Hyde-like statutory protections actually apply," they write.
The attorneys say court rulings make it so the federal government is required to pay for abortions if an abortion funding ban is not present in language dealing with health issues. That means the health care bill will fund abortions even without explicit language authorizing funding. Full story at LifeNews.com
USA Today Poll Confirms: Americans Disapprove of Obama, Health Care Bill
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new USA Today poll confirms what others released yesterday show: Americans disapprove of both pro-abortion President Barack Obama and the pro-abortion health care bill he signed. The survey comes after ones from CNN and Rasmussen showing voters upset with Obama and wanting the law reversed.
Nearly two-thirds of those polled by USA Today and Gallup say the new health care law costs too much and expands the government's role in health care too far.
Meanwhile, 50 percent disapproved of the job Obama is doing as president while just 47 percent approved -- mirroring the bad numbers he had in the Rasmussen poll from yesterday. This is the first time his disapproval rating hit 50 percent in the USA Today poll.
When it comes to health care, those who oppose the bill are more likely to say it will impact their vote in the November mid-term elections. While about 30 percent of Americans are more likely to support candidates who oppose the bill, a lower 25 percent are more likely to support candidates who favor it.
Half call passage of the bill "a bad thing" and 47% "a good thing." And 53 percent said Democrats engaged in "an abuse of power" by enacting the measure without any Republican support and employing rarely-used procedural tactics to do it. Full story at LifeNews.com
No Reproductive Justice for Women When Prenatal Diagnosis Pushes Abortion
by Anna Franzonello 
Recognizing that the majority of Americans are not comfortable with our abortion-on-demand jurisprudence, the mantra of abortion advocates is almost always tempered. The former catch-phrase safe, legal, and rare has recently morphed into reducing the need for abortion.
(The Obama Administration made it clear that it was not numbers of abortion that they are looking to reduce.)
Yet, when we talk about making abortion rare and reducing the need for abortion, I always wonder where do the babies who are aborted because of a prenatal diagnosis fit in?
What I have come to realize is, for those that subscribe to this rhetoric, they don't.
A recent AP article announced that, Some of mankind s most devastating inherited diseases appear to be declining, and a few have nearly disappeared, because more people are using genetic testing to decide whether to have children. However, it is not entirely accurate to state that the diseases are disappearing. Full story at LifeNews.com
Pro-Lifers to Challenge Obama's Calling Saving Terri Schiavo a "Mistake"
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Representatives of three Christian groups plan to take the message of the life and death of Terri Schiavo to the White House. They are hoping their stance at the gates will challenge President Barack Obama, who once said his biggest political "mistake" was voting to help save the disabled woman's life.
The Christian Defense Coalition, Faith and Action and Generation Life will pray and leave a single rose on the public sidewalk in front of the White House tomorrow.
They're doing so because it is the fifth anniversary of the euthanasia death of Terri Schiavo, where her husband won a court order to deprive her of food and water, the taking her life following a painful 13-day starvation and dehydration process.
Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition and one of the leaders who worked to save Terri's life in Florida, talked about tomorrow's event.
The participants will hold a news conference to discuss the legacy of Terri's life and death and the impact it has on the current health care debate concerning end of life issues and the controversy over "death panels."
"Terri's life had purpose, meaning and great value. It was tragic that she was brutally starved and dehydrated to death in full view of the America public. We are coming to the White House to honor her life and loudly say never again and pray this Administration embraces compassion for the disabled community," he told LifeNews.com. Full story at LifeNews.com
Getting Lower Maternal Mortality Worldwide Shouldn't Mean Promoting Abortion
by Mary Harned
The term "reproductive justice" took on a personal meaning for me in April of 2008, when I underwent an emergency C-Section. In spite of a flawless pregnancy and topnotch prenatal care, my labor completely stalled my body simply could not do what it was supposed to do.
Fortunately, there was no panic, no fear; in fact, there was never a moment when my husband and I wondered whether we would be able to safely bring our son into the world.
It is difficult to imagine anything more in keeping with reproductive justice defined by one reproductive rights group as the complete physical, mental, spiritual, political, economic, and social well-being of women and girls than for women to have access to all existing means to safely deliver their children.
We have this form of reproductive justice in the United States. Because of the excellent obstetric care we received, our son was born pink and healthy, I was fine, and I should have no trouble bearing more children.
However, one of my nurses told me that this form of reproductive justice is terribly absent in many parts of the world. She explained that while a C-Section performed in a developing nation only costs US$60.00, millions of women do not have access to the procedure. For a woman without access to quality obstetric care, facing a complicated delivery is devastating her baby often dies and if she survives, she is left with empty arms and a serious medical condition called an obstetric fistula. Full story at LifeNews.com
 Abortion Scandal at Catholic College Sign Protest Here: Planned Parenthood and the National Organization for Women are listed on the web site of the University of Detroit Mercy, a Catholic institution, as career resources. Please defend innocent life by signing the online protest to get these removed. |
Nevada Senate Candidate Sue Lowden Gets Pro-Life Women's Group's Backing
Carson City, NV(LifeNews.com) -- The national pro-life women's group Susan B. Anthony List issued an endorsement today for Sue Lowden, one of the candidates seeking the Republican nomination to take on Sen. Harry Reid. He is the top Democrat in the Senate who pushed the pro-abortion health care bill.
Marjorie Dannenfelser told LifeNews.com Tuesday morning that the SBA List is excited to get in Lowden's corner.
"The Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund is proud to endorse Sue Lowden for U.S. Senate in Nevada," she said.
"Sue Lowden is exactly the type of authentic pro-life candidate Americans are hungry for, and that's why the SBA List Candidate Fund is prepared to highlight her race among a handful of priority contests in 2010," Dannenfelser added. "Right now there is a crying need for a pro-life woman's voice in the Senate and Sue Lowden is committed to being that voice." Full story at LifeNews.com
Baltimore Archdiocese Sues City over New Law Targeting Pregnancy Centers
Baltimore, MD (LifeNews.com) -- The Archdiocese of Baltimore filed a federal lawsuit against the Maryland city yesterday over a law that attacks pregnancy centers that help women find abortion alternatives. Last year, the city passed the new ordinance that fines pregnancy centers $150 per day if they don't post a sign saying they do not do abortions.
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, the former city council president who is now the mayor, sponsored the measure that the city council approved on a 12-3 vote.
The council defeated an amendment to the bill that would have required abortion businesses to post a similar sign confirming they do not provide abortion alternatives.
Now, the Catholic diocese has filed suit saying the law violates the free speech rights of the centers and church members.
Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien said the law "is hurting the good people volunteering and giving so much of their resources to come to the help of pregnant women," according to the Baltimore Sun newspaper.
The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Baltimore, says the law unfairly targets the centers rather than applying to medical facilities as a whole. Full story at LifeNews.com
Missouri House Approves Abortion Waiting Period, Stopping Pressured Abortions
Jefferson City, MO (LifeNews.com) -- The Missouri state House approved a bill today that would stop forced abortions and put a 24-hour abortion waiting period in place. The measure is designed to provide women more information than they otherwise receive from abortion centers.
The Special Standing Committee on Children and Families signed off on House Bill 1327 last month and, today, the full House voted 113-37 in favor of the legislation.
The measure requires abortion businesses, orally and in writing, to provide women information 24 hours before an abortion on the development of the unborn child, and long-term medical and mental health problems women can expect from the abortion.
The measure also allows women to find out about abortion alternatives and to see an ultrasound of the unborn child, according to a Missouri Statehouse Examiner report. Full story at LifeNews.com
Idaho Gov Allows Conscience Rights for Pro-Life Medical Staff to Become Law
Boise, ID (LifeNews.com) -- Idaho Governor Butch Otter allowed a bill to become law that will create statutory protections for health care professionals in specific areas of medical practice.
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.
David Ripley of Idaho Choose Life, commented on Otter's actions in an email to LifeNews.com and he was surprised and disappointed by otter not signing the bill outright.
"While that is an admittedly disappointing development, we cannot allow that to take away from the huge pro-Life victory this legislation represents," he said. "Frankly, it is also rather surprising given Otter s strong constitutional orientation. SB 1353 codifies the very spirit of our 1st Amendment s promise of religious and moral liberty." Full story at LifeNews.com
| Looking for a Pro-Life Speaker for 2010? |
| 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. |
Duke University Women's Center Issues Apology to Pro-Life Group After Dustup
Durham, NC (LifeNews.com) -- The Duke University Women's Center has issued a letter of apology after it denied the campus pro-life student group space for an event on motherhood. The center abruptly canceled a Duke Students for Life event on the day of the meeting because it was engaging in pro-life activities elsewhere on campus.
As LifeNews.com reported, a Women's Center representative told Duke Students for Life (DSFL) that "we have a problem" and an ideological "conflict" with the event, which was supposedly canceled to protect Duke women from encountering the event during the group's "traumatizing" pro-life "Week for Life."
The group's president has turned to the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) for help and it contacted university officials.
Now, Ed Morrissey of the HotAir blog has obtained a copy of a letter Ada Gregory, the director of the Women's Center, sent to the group yesterday. Full story at LifeNews.com
Pro-Life News: Terri Schiavo, Indiana, Planned Parenthood, Iowa, Nevada, Abortion
Family Research Council Hosts Lecture on Terri Schiavo and Pro-Life Culture
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Yesterday, we hosted a moving commemoration of the five-year anniversary of the death of Terri Schiavo. Terri was a disabled Florida woman whose husband successfully petitioned state courts to deny her food and water so she would die.
Indiana Becomes 14th State to Challenge Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill in Court
Indianapolis, IN (LifeNews.com) -- Indiana became the 14th state Monday to challenge the constitutionality of the federal health care legislation. After reviewing the sweeping health care reforms, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced he would join a lawsuit already filed jointly by 13 other attorneys general in a Florida federal court.
Planned Parenthood Closes Local Express Clinic in Monticello, Iowa
Monticello, IA (Lifenews.com) -- Planned Parenthood has closed a local express clinic in Monticello, Iowa and that closure will take place in April. Planned Parenthood of East Central Iowa announced the move, saying it wants to close the center, which made abortion referrals, to consolidate its centers.
Iowa Right to Life Spring Book Sale nets $43K for Pro-Life Efforts
Des Moines, IA (Lifenews.com) -- Iowa Right to Life has gone beyond baby steps in its annual Spring Book Sale. The four-day sale, which ran from March 23 to March 27, brought in $43,000! Proceeds will go to pregnancy centers and adoption agencies across Iowa to assist women in need with their pregnancies.
Abortion Advocates Want Personhood Measure Off Nevada November Ballot
Carson City, NV (LifeNews.com) -- Abortion advocates in Nevada have filed legal papers to keep personhood amendments that would target abortion off the state ballots in those states. The measure have mixed support from pro-life advocates with some supporting them and others saying they will fail and add to pro-abortion case law.
West Virginia Woman Gets Medical Care After Hospital Refuses Treatment
Charleston, WV (LifeNews.com) -- An Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) allied attorney secured an agreed-upon court order Friday that extends care for a 40-year-old woman on dialysis at Ruby Memorial Hospital after the hospital originally said it would end treatment on March 27 against the wishes of the woman s family.
Encourage Friends to Sign Up for Free Pro-Life News From LifeNews.com
