🔊 Play By Maria Gallagher, Legislative Director

A Philadelphia abortion facility has failed to ensure parental consent for some abortions, a clear violation of the long-standing Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act.

PA Health Department inspectors found that, in half of the ten pediatric medical records reviewed, the Philadelphia Women’s Center neglected to obtain parents’ permission before administering chemical abortions.

The RU-486 abortions took place in February, May, June, July, and November of last year, without the parental oversight required by state law.

The health inspection report states that a “request was made…on February 12, 2020, for a policy that addressed parental consent for medications that are included in the termination of a pregnancy for pediatric patients. None was provided.”

In case after case, the health department documents that “there was no parental or legal guardian consent” for the use of Mifepristone and Misoprostol, the drugs used in RU-486 abortions.

Lack of parental consent for abortions in Pennsylvania is egregious under any circumstances and violates a key provision of the 1989 Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act, which was the basis of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling known as Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Other provisions of the landmark law include a 24-hour waiting period for abortions and informed consent, meaning that a woman must be told the risks of abortion and alternatives to abortion prior to an abortion taking place.

Ironically, the Health Department report also shows that the Philadelphia Women’s Center “failed to establish a patient safety committee, as required by the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Act of 2002.”

In addition, Health Department inspectors found in February that the abortion center “failed to establish an infection control committee.”

Given the crisis ultimately created by the COVID-19 pandemic, this omission is all the more alarming—especially in Philadelphia, which is now considered a Coronavirus hot spot.

I’ve been fascinated lately by the innovative medical work being developed at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to help preborn babies.

The other day, I found out that PBS is running a mini-series about the hospital. It’s called “Twice Born: Stories from the Special Delivery Unit.”

I have not watched the series yet, but Kathy Ostrowski of Kansans for Life recommends it:

“Twice Born” focuses on treating serious medical problems detected in the womb, including invasive tumors, spina bifida, and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. The first show was well-paced and personalized the staff, particularly one physician whose daughter has a degenerative disease.

But beyond the pathos of the medical conditions depicted, and beyond the admiration for the dedication and compassion of the medical staff, a deliberate feeling kept rising in me: THIS is what medicine naturally aspires to…how marvelous…how noble! This is what physicians SHOULD be doing!

The Philadelphia hospital has performed more than 1,250 operations on babies in the womb. I can’t help but join Kathy in thinking about the stark contrast between this hospital’s work and the abortion industry.

While Philadelphia is making amazing medical advances to save preborn babies, that same city also is killing them at an alarming rate. In 2013, almost half of all abortions (15,986) in Pennsylvania were performed in Philadelphia.

What a contradiction! Some preborn babies are treated as human beings worthy of medical attention and advancements, while others are mercilessly being killed.

Let’s hope that the work at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia will help more people to see that all preborn babies deserve life.