Pennsylvania Pro-Life Online News

March 1, 2010

A twice-monthly publication of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation
4800 Jonestown Rd., Suite 102
Harrisburg, PA 17109
717-541-0034

If you have trouble accessing any of these stories, you can find them on our website at http://www.paprolife.org/resources/e_news.html. 

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In this issue:

President Obama's Health Care Plan Would Expand Abortion
Have You Signed PA's Petition to Keep Federal Abortion Funding Out of Health Care Reform?
West Philadelphia Abortionist Called a Threat to Public Safety
Pro-Abortion Group Gives PA an "F"
Help Stop Washington's Pro-Abortion Agenda!
"99 Balloons" Shows Worth of a Life
Essay Contest Deadline is Today!
South Central Oratory Contest Set for March 14th
Chapter Information from Around the State


President Obama's Health Care Plan Would Expand Abortion

President Barack Obama's newly-unveiled health care plan would lead to a massive expansion of abortion. According to Douglas Johnson, Legislative Director of National Right to Life:

"If all of the President's changes were made, the resulting legislation would allow direct federal funding of abortion on demand through Community Health Centers, would institute federal subsidies for private health plans that cover abortion on demand (including some federally administered plans), and would authorize federal mandates that would require even non-subsidized private plans to cover elective abortion."

We know from experience that federal funding of abortion results in an increase in the number of abortions. We can't let that happen! Please call your Congressional Representative and urge him or her to vote against the President's health care plan because of its federal funding of abortion and other abortion mandates. You can reach your Representative through the Congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121. Meanwhile, for breaking developments on the health care front, please go to www.nrlactioncenter.com  .




Have You Signed PA's Petition to Keep Federal Abortion Funding Out of Health Care Reform?

If you have not already done so, please show your opposition to public funding of abortion! Sign PA's petition to prevent federal abortion funding in health care reform. Go to http://www.paprolife.org/foca/foca4.htm  to add your signature. Please share the link with your pro-life friends and family members. We want to collect as many signatures as we can so that we can send a strong message to Congress that abortion is not health care.


West Philadelphia Abortionist Called a Threat to Public Safety

From a PA Pro-Life Federation press release

Harrisburg, PA—The Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation has called for a thorough investigation into the tragic death of a woman who underwent an abortion at the office of a West Philadelphia abortionist. The probe of Dr. Kermit B. Gosnell should also focus on whether illegal late-term abortions were performed at his facility.

“This horrendous tragedy raises numerous questions about the safety of the Women’s Medical Society in Powelton Village,” said Michael Ciccocioppo, executive director of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, the state affiliate of National Right to Life. “How many women’s lives have been put in jeopardy at this center and at other abortion centers across our state?”

According to a report from the Associated Press, state authorities suspended Gosnell’s license as a result of “deplorable and unsanitary” conditions at his facility. The bodies of dozens of aborted preborn children were discovered in jars and blood was found on the floor. Under Pennsylvania’s landmark Abortion Control Act, abortions after 24 weeks are illegal in Pennsylvania unless the pregnancy poses a grave threat to the mother.

“State authorities have determined that the continued medical practice of Dr. Gosnell would pose an immediate and clear danger to public health and safety. But how long have these threatening conditions existed inside the walls of his abortion center? And how many other Pennsylvania abortionists are violating the law? The women of the Commonwealth deserve answers,” Ciccocioppo said.

Meanwhile, Rep. Matthew Baker (R—Bradford, Tioga), minority chair of the Pennsylvania House Health & Human Services Committee, questioned whether abortion facilities in the Commonwealth are being properly scrutinized.

“We’ve inspected the Capitol Cafeteria for its health violations, but are we properly inspecting abortion centers? This is a public health issue, and it deserves immediate attention. We can’t run the risk that another woman will die following an abortion at a Pennsylvania facility that is violating the most basic safety standards,” Rep. Baker said.



Pro-Abortion Group Gives PA an "F"

The pro-abortion lobbying group known as NARAL has issued its report card for the states, in terms of their abortion policies. The advocacy organization has awarded Pennsylvania an "F"--what pro-lifers would consider to be a mark of honor. The distinction is largely the result of Pennsylvania's landmark Abortion Control Act, which provides 24-hour waiting periods for abortion, informed consent, parental consent, and a prohibition against abortion after 24 weeks except in the rare cases that involve "substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function." You can read the pro-abortion report on PA at http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/choice-action-center/in_your_state/who-decides/state-profiles/pennsylvania.html  .


Help Stop Washington's Abortion Agenda!

This is a critical time for preborn babies and their mothers. We can stop Washington's abortion agenda, but we can't do it without your support. Please donate now at http://www.paprolife.org/donate/index.html  . Your sacrifice can literally save lives!

"99 Balloons" Shows Worth of a Life

A video entitled "99 Balloons" tells the amazing story of one baby's fight for life. This short film demonstrates that a baby's life is worth saving--even if his life happens to be short. You'll find this moving video at http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=c975d005cd2c4d261f7f  .


Essay Contest Deadline is Today!

March 1st is the deadline for our Pennsylvania Pro-Life Essay Contest. Entries must either be e-mailed to lifelines@paprolife.org  or snail-mailed today. The contest is open to Pennsylvania students in grades 7-12. Students must write a pro-life essay on abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, or stem cell research. Winners will receive cash prizes. Word limits are 500 for grades 7-9 and 750 for grades 10-12. The mailing address for entries is Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation; 4800 Jonestown Rd., Suite 102; Harrisburg, PA; 17109. Each entry must include the student's name, grade, name of school (or the fact that he or she is homeschooled), address, and phone number. Thanks to all who are participating and standing up for life!



South Central Oratory Contest Set for March 14th

The oratory contest for Pennsylvania's South Central region will take place Sunday, March 14th, in Harrisburg. Winners of the regional contest will compete in the state contest April 25th. High school juniors and seniors in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York Counties are eligible to participate. Students must deliver a 5 to 7 minute pro-life talk on abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, or stem cell research. Students interested in competing must contact Education Director Maria Vitale by Monday, March 8th, by e-mailing lifelines@paprolife.org  or calling 717-541-0034. Students can also find out about regional contests in other areas of the state by contacting Maria.


Chapter Information from Around the State


Live in Southeast PA? Contact SE Regional Coordinator Heather Wilson to find out more about joining a chapter in Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware, or Philadelphia County. You can reach Heather by phone at 610-480-8743 or by e-mail at wilson@paprolife.org .

Live in the Southwest? If you'd like to become involved in a chapter, contact Development Director Bryce McMinn, who serves as a liaison with chapters in southwest and midwest Pennsylvania. You can reach Bryce at 74 Oak Spring Road, Suite 101; Washington, PA 15301; Work Phone: 724-228-1162; Cell Phone: 412-835-2812; E-Mail: mcminn@paprolife.org .

If you live in another part of the state and you'd like to get involved in a local chapter, contact Executive Director Michael Ciccocioppo at ciccocioppo@paprolife.org  or by phone at 717-541-0034.

For a complete list of chapters, visit http://www.paprolife.org/chapters/chapters.html  .



The PA Pro-Life Online News is a twice-monthly publication of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation; 4800 Jonestown Rd., Suite 102; Harrisburg, PA; 17109. To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to lifelines@paprolife.org .