February 2015 Newsletter
Posted By cmbuuck on February 18, 2015
Life Affirming News
You Helped Indiana Rise to 7th Most Pro-Life State in the Nation!
Indiana Right to Life
“We’re pleased that our seventh place ranking shows we are making pro-life progress in the Hoosier state,” said Mike Fichter, President and CEO of Indiana Right to Life. “Indiana is recognized as a state that values the rights of both mothers and unborn children. We thank our legislators for enacting pro-life policies that earned us this high ranking. We also urge our elected officials to keep up the momentum until every unborn child receives a chance at life.”
Judicial Order Allows Chemical Abortions to be Done without Regulation
Indiana Right to Life / Jan. 2015
Legislature Must Fix the Law to Ensure Women’s Health and Safety
Obama-appointed federal judge, Jane Magnus-Stinson, ordered that her December ruling will stand, which states that a 2013-passed state law including chemical abortion facilities in the definition of abortion facilities is unconstitutional. Her order came after Planned Parenthood and the Indiana Attorney General’s Office, which was defending the state law, agreed not to take the case further in the legal system.
The law was passed in 2013 to require chemical abortion facilities to meet the same requirements as other abortion sites in the state. Like surgical abortions, chemical abortions can lead to serious medical emergencies, so abortion facilities and its staff should be prepared to care for women with complications.
“With Judge Magnus-Stinson’s order, the state’s largest abortion business, Planned Parenthood, will continue to do dangerous chemical abortions at a completely unregulated facility in Lafayette,” stated Mike Fichter, President and CEO of Indiana Right to Life. “This order also opens the doors for abortion sites in communities across the state if operators don’t need to adhere to state laws in place to protect women’s health and safety.
“We urge the newly convened state legislature to take strong and immediate action. Chemical abortion facilities should not be able to skirt oversight laws regarding reporting standards, physician oversight, cleanliness standards and building accessibility. Women’s health is on the line.”
Bill Banning Late-Term Abortions Reintroduced
SBA List / Jan. 2015
Congressional bill would impose a nationwide ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, based on scientific evidence that shows preborn babies can feel pain at that time.
On Tuesday, a bill prohibiting abortion after 20 weeks gestation — when an unborn child is capable of feeling pain — was re-introduced by pro-life members of Congress. The measure could save the lives of more than 18,000 babies.
In 2013, the U.S. House passed the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The Senate refused to take the measure up for a vote and the bill died.
Now pro-life legislators in both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have re-introduced the bill that is expected to move ahead for a vote in both chambers. Congressman Trent Franks of Arizona, along with Representative Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, are the lead sponsors of the measure.
“As the 114th Congress is sworn in today, we are encouraged to see our pro-life allies wasting no time in the fight to protect the lives of the most vulnerable,” said SBA (Susan B. Anthony) List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. “Sixty percent of Americans support the legislation …to stop abortion on demand after five months. That’s more than halfway through pregnancy. It is time to move the United States off the list of only seven countries to allow abortion on demand beyond this point.”
Deceased Newborn Found at Eagle Creek Park Raises Awareness of Safe Haven Law
Indiana Right to Life / Jan. 2015
Safe Haven Law Allows Babies to Be Left at Firehouses, Police Stations and Hospitals
The discovery of a deceased newborn Sunday in Indianapolis’s Eagle Creek Park highlights the need to raise awareness of Indiana’s Safe Haven Law. Authorities believe the deceased newborn could be just a day old, though an ongoing investigation may provide more answers.
Indiana’s Safe Haven Law allows caregivers to give up an unwanted baby safely, anonymously and without legal consequence. Babies left at any Indiana emergency room, firehouse or police station will be put into custody of the Indiana Division of Family and Social Services Administration before going to a foster or pre-adoptive home.
According to a July 2013 report in the Purdue Exponent, the Safe Haven Law has only been used four times in Indiana. According to the same article, nationally 2,879 babies have been safely abandoned so they can go to adoptive families. Comparing Indiana’s rate to the national rate, it appears the law is under-utilized in Indiana.
Indiana Right to Life supports efforts help caregivers utilize the life-saving law. Rep. Casey Cox (IN-85) has introduced HB 1016 in the Indiana House. This legislation would allow newborn safety incubators, or baby drop boxes, to be installed around the state. These drop boxes would give caregivers greater anonymity when leaving a baby. When a baby is placed inside the box, a silent alarm is triggered for officials to come retrieve the baby.
“The discovery of the newborn at Eagle Creek Park is a tragedy, and we pray for all involved as officials seek answers,” stated Mike Fichter, President and CEO of Indiana Right to Life. “We hope that reports of this story include information of the Safe Haven Law so all Hoosiers are aware of this option. The Safe Haven Law gives children a chance at life if their mothers feel they have no other options. We support Rep. Cox’s efforts to expand the Safe Haven Law and hope that his efforts will spread the word of this way to legally and confidently give up a baby.”