THE WEDNESDAY STOPP REPORT

Abortion saves lives? Planned Parenthood seems to think so

On its web site, Planned Parenthood has a regular feature called "Ask Dr. Cullins." People submit questions and Dr. Vanessa Cullins, the vice president for medical affairs at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, offers them her answers.

A recent question posted asks, "Is abortion ever really necessary to save a woman's life?" Without a note of hesitation, Dr. Cullins responded with a staunch "yes." What is most disturbing about this reply though is that she states, "Abortion may be the only way to save the woman's life."

First of all, it is medically inaccurate to say that it is ever necessary that a child be killed to preserve the life of his mother. However, what is even more shocking is that someone who claims to be a "board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist" would be so medically irresponsible.

But this shouldn't be groundbreaking; Planned Parenthood is notorious for promoting its dangerous products and services as "treatments" that do nothing to address the actual condition or illness. On frequent occasions it recommends the use of hormonal contraception to "treat" heavy or irregular periods, mood swings and severe cramping - all the while lying about the danger these drugs pose to developing babies and their mothers. For those seeking genuine solutions to these problems we recommend the work of the Pope Paul VI Institute.

Medical professionals who are serious about the care of their patients know that they must find the source of problems, so that they may sincerely treat and heal and do more than just apply a proverbial band aid. Planned Parenthood's "treatments" may do little more than cover the symptoms of dangerous underlying illnesses and conditions, often at the cost of the health and life of both mother and child.

South Dakota's ban reiterates long known facts

Even though H.B. 1215 in South Dakota enacted a 100 percent ban on medical and surgical abortions, the media has said the law will "ban all abortions except to save the life of the mother." We have no idea where this conclusion came from. In fact the law specifically mentions that both mother and child must be treated equally in regards to health and safety as best a doctor is able:

No licensed physician who performs a medical procedure designed or intended to prevent the death of a pregnant mother is guilty of violating section 2 of this Act. However, the physician shall make reasonable medical efforts under the circumstances to preserve both the life of the mother and the life of her unborn child in a manner consistent with conventional medical practice. [Emphasis added.]

Another way that you can tell that the South Dakota law bans all medical and surgical abortions without exception is to look at S.B. 33, which was passed in Louisiana recently. First, the bill is predicated on the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. Second, the bill there has a copycat ban, nearly word for word what the South Dakota bill stated, but with one major exception, a specific exemption to "prevent the death or substantial risk of death" of the mother. Please remember, as we noted in last week's Wednesday STOPP Report, that these types of exceptions are never necessary and do nothing but allow a loophole for abortion on demand to continue. The legal analysts in Louisiana knew, as we do, that the law in South Dakota is a no-exceptions ban on all medical and surgical abortions.

As we have mentioned before, one of the unique things about H.B. 1215 is that it is accompanied by the research, testimony and findings of a special task force. On page 12 of this report you can read the testimony of several physicians who insist that it is basic ethical practice to protect the life of both mother and child and that intentional abortion is not permissible even in the cases when a mother's life is at risk:

A number of physicians also testified that it has been recognized for some time that the doctor who has a pregnant mother as a patient has two separate patients - the mother and the child - to whom he owes a professional and legal duty.

Dr. Yvonne B. Seger, and Dr. Cynthia Davis, both of whom practice obstetrics and gynecology in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, also submitted statements that explained that the physician who has a pregnant woman as a patient has two separate patients - the mother and the child - and that the physician must make disclosures about the risks and effect any procedure would have on each. (Davis Declaration, Par. 5; Seger Declaration, Par. 5.)

Dr. Byron Calhoun, Maternal-Fetal Medical Specialist from Rockford, Illinois, explained that the unborn child is considered a separate patient in his or her own right. Dr. Calhoun also stated that there is no outcome data to support the idea that the mother's life is put at risk by allowing her to carry to term a critically ill baby.

The findings of this task force are by no means revolutionary. Physicians have known for a very long time that they must do all in their power to protect and heal all of their patients. It is not news that killing the child of an ill or injured woman with the intention of "protecting her life" is a gravely unethical act despite what Planned Parenthood wants you to think.

Protecting the life of the mother

Even though Planned Parenthood continues to spread its lies, American Life League has penned and distributed a document expressing the medical and ethical error of "saving a mother's life" through the use of elective abortion. This declaration, Protecting the Life of the Mother, states the following:

I agree that there is never a situation in the law or in the ethical practice of medicine where a preborn child's life need be intentionally destroyed by procured abortion for the purpose of saving the life of the mother. A physician must do everything possible to save the lives of both of his patients, mother and child. He must never intend the death of either.

There is never a reason in law or in practice to advocate a "life of the mother" exception for abortion. We base this statement on testimony of many pro-life physicians over the years, including John F. Hillabrand, M.D., Herbert Ratner, M.D., and Bernard N. Nathanson, M.D.

Further, we adhere to the following teaching of Pope Pius XII:

Every human being, even the infant in the mother's womb, has the right to life immediately from God, not from the parent or any human society or authority. Therefore, there is no man, no human authority, no science, no medical, eugenic, social, economic or moral "indication" that can show or give valid juridical title for direct deliberate disposition concerning an innocent human life-which is to say, a disposition that aims at its destruction either as an end in itself or as the means of attaining another end that is perhaps in no way illicit itself. Thus, for example, to save the life of the mother is a most noble end, but the direct killing of the child as a means to this end is not licit.

— Allocution to Italian midwives, Pope Pius XII, October 29, 1951

Action Item: To date, nearly 500 physicians have signed this document affirming that real doctors work to protect and heal both of their patients, mother and child. Bring this declaration to the attention of your doctors; ask them to sign on as well so that more people may realize that abortion is never necessary for any reason.

Mark your calendar

Get out your calendar and block out 90 minutes starting at 9 p.m. Eastern (6 p.m. Pacific) on Tuesday, September 12. Over the next few weeks, don't let anything else crowd out that space in your schedule.

Trust us - you won't want to miss this!

On the evening of September 12, American Life League will be providing a select group of individuals a groundbreaking FREE educational opportunity that could galvanize the national effort to stop Planned Parenthood. Watch this report over the coming weeks to learn more and to find out how you can get in on this history-making training.

Back issues of the Wednesday STOPP Report.