Virginians urged to support conscience bill;
Conscience-free PP opposes proposal

"Planned Parenthood is so hell-bent on killing children that it is fighting a Virginia 'conscience clause' bill," said Ed Szymkowiak, national director of STOPP International, a project of American Life League. "This bill is designed to protect medical professionals' rights to refuse to perform abortions or dispense abortion causing drugs. It is obvious that Planned Parenthood has no conscience; but now it wants to strip others of their freedom to choose to follow their own consciences."

On Feb. 12, the Virginia House of Delegates overwhelmingly passed Lynchburg delegate Kathy Byron's HB 563 by a vote of 79-20. In addition to recognizing that health care professionals may not be required to participate in surgical abortion procedures, the bill says they shall not be required "to dispense any birth-control pill or other medication for the purpose of performing an abortion." Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia opposes the bill.

"The RU-486 abortion pill kills a child after implantation in the mother's womb. Also, oral contraceptives, Depo-Provera, Norplant, and emergency contraceptives (morning-after pills) are designed to kill if they fail to prevent fertilization. If fertilization occurs, these drugs can kill by preventing implantation of the human embryo. Therefore, under this bill Virginia medical professionals would have the right to refuse to dispense any of these," said Szymkowiak.

This bill will likely move to a Senate committee that has been hostile to pro-life bills. "It's very important for Virginians, especially medical professionals, to contact their senators immediately and urge them to support this conscience bill," Szymkowiak said.

Release issued: 15 Feb 02