Category Archives: General

Low-Income Women Don’t Want Taxpayer-Funded Abortions

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A new abortion group is taking a bus tour this summer to push for taxpayer funded abortions. It’s a bold move, given that most Americans don’t want their taxes to pay for abortions, according to several polls. And the group knows it.

Mom-and-ChildThat’s why the “Be Bold” bus tour is couching abortion in terms of income inequality, an issue that’s more palatable to young Americans especially.

From the article:

“Thanks to the 37-year-old Hyde Amendment, the federal policy that prohibits taxpayer dollars from funding abortion services, the low-income women who rely on the Medicaid program often have no affordable options for ending a pregnancy. Hyde, which has spawned similar restrictions on the state level and in other government programs, ensures that abortion access has been firmly divided along economic and racial lines for nearly as long as it’s been legal in this country.”

The problem – well, one of the problems – is that the group assumes low-income women  want abortions. They don’t. A Rand study showed that 55 percent of low-income respondents oppose taxpayer funding for abortion. It’s actually the wealthy (56 percent) who want taxpayer-funded abortions for the poor, according to the study.

Forcing taxpayers to fund abortions seems like an excuse for not helping low-income families in the ways they want to be helped. Instead of pushing taxpayer-funded abortions on women who don’t want them, we should be offering more resources to help pregnant and parenting moms and their babies.

If someone you know is pregnant and needs help, click here or call the Pennsylvania pregnancy hotline at 1-888-LIFE-AID.

The Overpopulation Debate and Solutions to the World’s Problems

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The other day I listened to a debate about overpopulation with Steven Mosher from the pro-life Population Research Institute and Robert Walker of the pro-abortion Population Institute.

GlobeWomanYou can watch it here. It’s about an hour long, but it’s worth listening to if you have time. Steven Mosher is a very knowledgeable and persuasive debater.

When I used to hear the word “overpopulation,” it always made me think of disappearing rainforests, endangered species, global warming, and poverty. Since I began working in pro-life, though, I’ve realized the scary implications of the overpopulation theory.

How do we stop overpopulation? We get rid of people (abortion, euthanasia). And how do we make it seem ok to get rid of people? By making some people appear less valuable than others (the preborn, the elderly and the disabled).

The heart of the issue really seems to come back to the value of human life. I’m not saying those other issues aren’t important. We need to take care of our planet and the plants and animals that live here.

But, as Steven Mosher argues, people have found innovative ways to solve these challenges, and will continue to do so – without killing other people.

Mosher summed it up very well in his response to Walker: “You see the problem as people. I see the problem as poverty.”

Abortion and euthanasia are the same way. There are better solutions to the world’s problems than killing innocent people. Our world doesn’t need more abortions, more euthanasia, or fewer people. Our world needs more people who will listen, care and treat others with the respect they deserve.

A Lesson from “Charlotte’s Web”

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A few Sundays ago, when I was visiting my family, my little sister pulled out a paperback copy of “Charlotte’s Web” and asked if I would read to her.

CharlottesWebI hadn’t read the book in years – maybe not even since I was 8, the same age as my little sister. We sat down on the sofa, and I turned the pages to Chapter 1:

“Where’s Papa going with that ax?” said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast.
“Out to the hoghouse,” replied Mrs. Arable. “Some pigs were born last night.”
“I don’t see why he needs an ax,” continued Fern, who was only eight.
“Well,” said her mother, “one of the pigs is a runt. It’s very small and weak, and it will never amount to anything. So your father has decided to do away with it.”
… Fern pushed a chair out of the way and ran outdoors. …
“Fern,” said Mr. Arable, “I know more about raising a litter of pigs than you do. A weakling makes trouble. Now run along!”
“But it’s unfair,” cried Fern. “The pig couldn’t help being born small, could it? If I had been very small at birth, would you have killed me?”
Mr. Arable smiled. “Certainly not,” he said, looking down at his daughter with love. “But this is different. A little girl is one thing, a little runty pig is another.”
“I see no difference,” replied Fern … “This is the most terrible case of injustice I ever heard of.”
A queer look came over John Arable’s face. He seemed almost ready to cry himself.
“All right,” he said.

Fern’s words almost seem prophetic, “If I had been very small at birth, would you have killed me?” Today babies in the womb are killed just because they may have a disability or abnormality. Many parents are pressured toward abortion because their baby is imperfect in the world’s eyes. Our society justifies these babies’ deaths with excuses: The baby may suffer, or the baby could be a burden for the family, or the baby may not live long anyway. I think the problem lies with our flawed perspective, not these children’s lives.

I was really struck by Fern’s example. She fought and pleaded for a life who many didn’t see as valuable. She gave up her time to provide the extra care and attention that that life needed.

Fern approached the situation from the simple, untainted logic of a child. She didn’t think twice. She didn’t question whether a life was worth saving, because it never occurred to her to question the value of a life at all. She understood that every life deserves protection, no matter how long they live or how much care they need.

I’m so glad “Charlotte’s Web” is still a classic on children’s bookshelves. We need more heroines like Fern.

State Reports: Philadelphia Abortion Center Not Informing Women of Risks, Alternatives

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A Philadelphia abortion center did not inform women about the risks and alternatives to abortion as is required by law, according to inspection reports from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

imagesThe Philadelphia Women’s Center and all Pennsylvania abortion centers are required to inform women about abortion risks, alternatives, and the approximate age of their preborn baby at least 24 hours prior to the abortion. However, the Philadelphia abortion center appears to be skirting the law.

According to a state inspection report from Oct. 9, 2013, inspectors found the abortionist’s signature was photocopied onto documents that indicate patients have received the information. Three women also didn’t sign the forms to indicate that they had receive the information.

But that’s not all. Records indicated that the abortionist didn’t inform eight other patients either.

This LifeNews.com story details even more deficiencies at the Philadelphia Women’s Center, including:

  • A discrepancy about medications given to a woman who was hemorrhaging and had to be taken to the hospital.
  • A broken fire alarm that the state has warned the facility about five times.
  • Dirty cleaning supplies that were put right next to clean linen.
  • Expired medication, and medication that wasn’t properly stored.

The state Department of Health routinely inspects abortion centers in Pennsylvania, thanks to new abortion center regulations passed in the wake of the Kermit Gosnell discoveries. To view the abortion center inspection reports, click here.

New Bill Would Deny PA Women Information about Abortion Risks

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By Maria Gallagher, Legislative Director

The abortion industry and its allies are lobbing another legislative weapon in their War on Women.

Women Have a Right to Know!The weapon of choice, in this case, is a deceptively named Pennsylvania bill called the “Patient Trust Act.”

House Bill 2303 is sponsored by known abortion advocate Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny County). The Senate version, Senate Bill 1456, is sponsored by a one-time pro-life legislator who is now running for Lieutenant Governor on a pro-abortion platform, Sen. Mike Stack (D-Philadelphia County).

The sponsors, who are being championed by a pro-abortion blog which partners with the nation’s largest abortion operation, Planned Parenthood, claim they are trying to rid politics from the doctor-patient relationship. But the legislation would do exactly the opposite — insert politics where it does not belong.

The bills state that health care practitioners should not be required to provide information to a patient that is not “medically accurate.” The legislation also says that the government should not require a health professional to perform a medical service that is not “evidence-based.”

Who could argue with that? Even pro-life legislators may be deceived into sponsoring it.

But the devil is in the details.

In their quest for legitimacy, the sponsors are pointing to a report by the National Partnership for Women & Families, which claims that a political agenda is “undermining women’s health care.”

One problem here. The group has a radically pro-abortion political agenda of its own. The organization—and the legislation’s sponsors—are upset with common sense protective laws that inform women about the risks of abortion. That is their real aim—to prevent women from obtaining critical information about abortion-related health risks.

And this points to the radical nature of the pro-abortion movement. They want to declare an information blackout in abortion facilities. They want to ignore scientifically-based research showing that abortion can increase a woman’s risk of sterility, substance abuse, depression, and premature delivery of subsequent babies. If a woman knows that, she might think twice about having an abortion—and that could hurt the abortion facilities’ bottom line.

Keeping women uninformed leaves them vulnerable—weak, rather than empowered. Beware of “patient trust” legislation which may be coming to your state. It’s not about good medicine. It’s about preventing the kinds of protective laws which can help women make sound health decisions that positively impact themselves and their families.

Images of Preborn Babies Open People’s Eyes to Truth about Life

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I love seeing people’s faces light up when a preborn baby’s life becomes real to them.

Image of a baby at seven weeks

Image of a baby at seven weeks

It’s hard for us to relate to people we don’t know, people we’ve never seen or talked to. And most of us don’t see a baby until after he or she is born. It can be easy for us to forget about the ongoing tragedy of abortion, because we almost never know the victim.

That’s why we at the Federation emphasize education about human development. We show ultrasound videos and share little fetal models with people. They remind people that this isn’t just a “product of conception” or a “blob of tissue.” It’s a teeny, tiny beautiful human being – somebody’s baby boy or baby girl.

Click here to read more about a baby’s amazing development in the womb. Or watch a video here.

Pennsylvania Girl Gives Hope to Down Syndrome Families with “Chloe’s Law”

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We have a young heroine for life in our state.

Her name is Chloe Kondrich, and she has Down syndrome. The 11-year-old and her family have made it their mission to educate people about the precious value of individuals with Down syndrome. The family received our Pennsylvania Pro-Life Leadership Award in 2011.

Chloe Kondrich joins Gov. Tom Corbett to sign "Chloe's Law" on July 18, 2014, in Harrisburg.

Chloe Kondrich joins Gov. Tom Corbett to sign “Chloe’s Law” on July 18, 2014, in Harrisburg.

On Friday, July 18, Chloe stood with Gov. Tom Corbett as he signed “Chloe’s Law,” a measure that ensures Pennsylvania moms have access to accurate information and support when their preborn baby is diagnosed with Down syndrome.

Sadly, preborn babies who are diagnosed with Down syndrome often become victims of abortion. One study suggests that 90 percent are aborted.

According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

“Kishore Vellody, medical director of the Down Syndrome Center at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC … [said] he sees the necessity of the new law, which will outline physicians’ responsibilities in delivering the news of a Down syndrome prenatal diagnosis.

“‘Published data shows that less than half of people felt like their training was accurate in communicating prenatal diagnosis,’ he said. ‘Even in my med school textbooks, a lot of things we learned about Down syndrome was inaccurate because it takes so long to have them updated.’

“Within the past 30 years, the increase in information and standard medical care has been dramatic and is mirrored by the increase in life expectancy for people with Down syndrome, from 25 in the 1980s to 60 and beyond now.

“‘Our goal in medicine is to make sure people receive balanced and accurate information when they make decisions about health care,’ Dr. Vellody said. ‘That’s why we support endeavors to help expectant parents.'”

Chloe’s parents, Kurt and Margie Kondrich, understand the emotions that families feel when they discover their child has Down syndrome. They believe the new law will help alleviate fears and give hope to the families.

Chloe and her family truly are Pennsylvania heroes, spreading the message to families that there’s always a reason to choose life!

Pennsylvania Senator Votes to Overturn Hobby Lobby Decision

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This week, U.S. Senator Bob Casey Jr. from Pennsylvania voted to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties.

Stop Abortion MandatesThe U.S. Senate failed Wednesday to pass the bill, which aimed to overturn the high court’s decision and force religious people who own businesses to violate their beliefs.

Our Executive Director Michael Ciccocioppo told LifeNews.com that he is disappointed with Casey for supporting measures to overturn the high court’s ruling.

“The U.S. Supreme Court rightly affirmed religious liberty a few weeks ago when it ruled that the families who own Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties can exercise their religious beliefs,” Ciccocioppo said. “The high court agreed that business owners should not be forced to violate their beliefs by providing abortion-causing drugs/devices to their employees.”

“We are disappointed that Sen. Casey has abandoned our nation’s founding principle of religious freedom by trying to overrule the Supreme Court’s decision,” he added. “We agree with Justice Samuel Alito that, had the Supreme Court ruled against Hobby Lobby and Conestoga, business owners could be forced to cover third-trimester abortions and assisted suicide.”

While we gained a victory over the HHS Mandate, we can’t stop working now. There are other abortion-expanding aspects of Obamacare that are still in effect. Read about them here.

Radical Senate Bill Would Protect Gosnells, Force Medical Staff to Perform Abortions

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What would you do if legislators supported a bill allowing abortionists like Kermit Gosnell to keep practicing?

What would you say if the bill would force health care workers to perform abortions Stop Abortion Mandatesagainst their consciences?

What if that same bill would legalize partial-birth abortion again?

Or allow babies in the womb to be aborted just because they are girls? Or take your tax dollars to pay for abortions?

These proposals may seem too radical for thought, but they’re not fiction.

A pro-abortion bill that would allow these drastic, dangerous measures is up for consideration in the U.S. Senate this week. It’s called the “Women’s Health Protection Act,” but our national affiliate has dubbed it the “Abortion Without Limits Until Birth” Act.

The bill is designed to wipe out all protections against abortion for preborn babies and their mothers. Click here for details. It is similar to the “Freedom of Choice Act” that was championed by Barack Obama when he was a Senator.

While the bill is, thankfully, unlikely to pass the U.S. House, it should concern us that pro-abortion forces are going public with a radical agenda that most Americans don’t support. Perhaps they think most Americans won’t find out what’s really in that act.

Please help us expose this dangerous bill for what it is.

At Creation Festival, Young People Learn the Truth about Abortion

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“Did you know that when you were this small, you could already suck your thumb?” I said, holding out one of our tiny 12-week fetal models.

P1060004I watched as their eyes grew wide in surprise, and their hands reached out to hold the little model themselves. They smiled and aww’d at the tiny little baby model in their hands.

Then I picked up our 20-week model and handed it to them. “Did you know that abortion is legal even past this stage in Pennsylvania?”

And I watched as the shock and disbelief came over their faces and the reality of what our society calls “a woman’s choice” set in.

I had hundreds of similar conversations a few weeks ago at our booth during the nation’s largest Christian music festival, Creation. Though I go every year, it always strikes me how critically important it is that we’re sharing the truth about abortion.

Where else do young people see that a preborn baby at eight weeks already looks like a tiny infant? Where else to they learn that abortion is legal through all nine months in some states? Where else do they hear that there is support for moms who choose life?

Public schools and colleges aren’t telling them. The mainstream media isn’t telling them. Our society isn’t telling them.

It’s up to us to educate the next generation about the precious value of every single human life.

To find our volunteers at other fairs and festivals this summer, click here.