The newsletter of the Rochester Area Right to Life
1999 March Articles

Abortion Facts

The recent 26^th anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision led to review of some of the myths and deceit used by those who worked to have abortion declared legal.

• Dr. Bernard Nathanson, originally a pro-abortion leader and co-founder of NARAL (National Abortion Rights Action League) has admitted fabricating the number of women allegedly dying as a result of illegal abortions. He said that emphasis was always given to "individual cases". When numbers were used, he said it was always "5,000 to 10,000 deaths a year." Dr. Nathanason acknowledged knowing he was giving mis-information but it was generally unchallenged and served his purposes in working to make abortion legal. Dr. Bernard Nathanson; Aborting America; New York: Doubleday, 1979

• Best statistics available from 1972 through 1975 strongly contradicted the Nathanson claim. 24 women died from illegal abortions in 1972. In 1973, 25 women died; 26 died in 1974 and 29 in 1975. US Bureau of Vital Statistics Center for Disease Control

Abortion was made legal based on false information that large numbers women were dying in illegal abortions. Since becoming legal, abortion has killed at least 37,000,000 children and caused uncounted deaths for women, i.e. at least 215 between 1973 through 1987. After 1987 the government ceased collecting statistics. Numerous news reports have aired confirming maternal deaths in "safe" abortions. http://www.prolife.org

NY State Catholic Conference reported results from an Election Day, 1998 poll of American voters:
73% believe Congress should ban partial-birth abortions
74% oppose the use of federal funds for abortion
85% believe it should not be legal for people to take minors (not their children) across state lines to have abortions.

Dennis Hastert: Speaker of the House

Hon. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill), relatively unknown outside of Washington or his Illinois congressional district, became the House Speaker following Bob Livingston’s resignation.

Human Events, January 22, 1999, described enthusiasm about him from Clare Thorton, Executive Director of Illinois Right to Life and Phyllis Schlafly of Eagle Forum. Ms. Schlafly said: "I’ve known him for a long time. I think he’s a big improvement over both [Gingrich and Livingston]. He’s certainly 100% on all the pro-life issues." He was reported to favor banning abortion except to save the life of the mother.

Former Senator Bill Bradley (D-NJ) is mentioned as a possible candidate, both by himself and others. In the US Senate his voting record was 100% pro-abortion votes.

Bauer, Family Research Council Executive Director has filed papers "with the Federal Election Commission on forming a presidential exploratory committee," He stressed abortion as a major plank in his platform. A "starting point" for him would be banning all second and third-trimester abortions. Ultimately wants to have unborn children granted full Constitutional protection under the 14^th Amendment. Meet the Press, NBC, 1/31

Conservative Conference straw poll results

The 26^th Annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) met 1/23/99. 1,010 attendees were polled. Results were: Gary Bauer, 28.1%; George W. Bush, 23.6%; Steve Forbes 10.3%; Elizabeth Dole, 7.7%; Alan Keyes, 6%; Dan Quayle, 5%; Undecided, 4.7%; John Kasich, 3%; Pat Buchanan, 2.7%; John Ashcroft, 2.2%

Since this poll was taken, Ashcroft and Buchanan have said they will not be running for president in 2000.

John Kasich & Robert Smith also seeking presidency

Rep. John Kasich, a 9 term Congressman from Columbus, Ohio, has filed to run for the office of US President. Kasich has a 100% pro-life voting record. On 2/18/99, Sen. Robert Smith (R-NH) announced his candidacy and reaffirmed being pro-life.

Weekend Magazine with Stone Phillips airs on weekend evenings with a wide topic range. On 2/1/99, at 1 AM, a feature was presented on ultrasound, AKA sonogram testing.

Featuring doctors and citing support from medical associations, the show concluded that ultrasound results are very unreliable. The coverage first showed a woman who was told that she was carrying twins, one of whom had died and needed removal. Health of the other child was suspect. She sought a second opinion. The second test showed that there was no dead baby, had not been a twin conceived and her unborn child was healthy. The woman delivered a normal, healthy baby.

The doctors stated that ultrasound testing can’t assure that a fetus is normal. The test is highly variable and reflects the quality of the reading of the test results. Only doctors can purchase the equipment. Neither they nor their employees are trained to use the machinery. There are no training requirements for testing or interpreting results. No certification or license is required to run the tests and interpret the results.

The program reviewed some conditions treatable in utero. It was not reassuring to then hear that some defects, e. g. heart defects, congenital anomalies and other conditions are routinely missed in ultrasound testing.

Recommendation given was to have an ultrasound only for a specific reason. The training of the person doing the test/interpreting the results and the number of ultrasounds the tester has already done should be asked. Now at least 500 are considered a minimum requirement. Finally, it was suggested that a person with test training and experience would more likely be working in a hospital rather than doctor’s office.

"All about adoption"

Teacher Debbie Moon’s first graders were discussing a picture of a family.   One boy in the picture had a different color hair than the other family members.

One child suggested that he was adopted and a girl named Jocelyn said, "I know all about adoptions because I was adopted."   "What does it mean to be adopted?" asked another child. "It means," said Jocelyn, "that you grew in your mommy’s heart instead of her tummy."   Received from teacher in North Carolina; author unknown

Medicare re-structuring likely in 1999
Continuation from 1/99 LIFE-LINES

National Right to Life and other pro-life groups recommend a "private fee-for-service medicare plan. In these, private insurance companies can offer health insurance plans that cover the same things Medicare covers, but have no limits on the treatments that the doctors and hospitals you choose can order. There are also no government-imposed price controls on the fees the insurance company can pay health care providers. That eliminates rationing. Part of the cost of these policies will be paid by the federal government Medicare payment. The rest will be paid on a monthly basis by the Medicaid beneficiary.

Is paying extra for a private fee-for-service plan similar to getting the "Medigap" private plans older people have often bought to supplement traditional Medicare?

The differences are very important. Under traditional government fee-for-service Medicare, there are deductibles and co-payments. "Medigap" policies can be purchased. They pay for all or most of these deductibles and co-payments; they cover benefits not included in the traditional Medicare, such as prescription drugs.

However, these Medigap policies do not pay for services theoretically covered by Medicare but denied. Denials are made on a case-by-case basis on the grounds that the service is "not medically necessary or appropriate." Actually, such denials occur because of the rationing made necessary by the low amount of money available under Medicare. Thus, purchasing a "Medigap" policy will do little to nothing to protect you from rationing.

What’s wrong with traditional, government fee-for-service Medicare?

Traditional Medicare does provide unmanaged fee-for-service coverage for physician’s service. You pick the doctor and the doctor, not the insurance company, decides on the treatment. But this is not the case for hospital services. You can pick the hospital but Medicare does not reimburse hospitals on a fee-for-service basis. Instead, hospitals are paid according to "diagnosis-related groups" (DRGs). Hospitals are very aware of how they are paid. DRGs will make differences in treatment because they represent different reimbursement levels. Following is short explanation.

Any Medicare-eligible person admitted to a hospital is given a diagnosis, e.g. some sort of kidney problem. The federal government then pays the hospital a set lump sum for each patient admitted with that particular diagnosis. Thus, if the hospital can provide the person with relatively low-cost treatment and quickly release the patient, the hospital makes money. But, if the hospital gives the patient costly and extended treatment, the hospital loses money. Finally, if the patient dies without getting any treatment, the hospital also makes money.

Hospitals being paid by DRGs create a financial disincentive to providing needed treatment if the treatment is expensive, even if the alternative is the patient’s death. This is a "managed care" technique.

Complete NRLN article available at RARTL office where it can be read/copied. Topic is critically important for all to understand. This issue is moving rapidly and needs to be understood by all.  The complete article can also be seen on the NRLN Web page in their newsletter, the December, 1998 issue.

Oratorical contests

Rochester Area Right to Life Committee will again conduct a local contest for high school age juniors and seniors. Participants must research, write and deliver a 5 – 7 minute speech on one of the following topics:

• THE TRAGEDY OF ABORTION
• THE TRAGEDY OF INFANTICIDE
• THE TRAGEDY OF EUTHANASIA

A local contest will be held in April. The winner will join winners from across the state in Albany to participate in the NY State Contest on Saturday, May 15, 1999. Winner of the state contest will then represent New York State in the National Right to Life Oratory Contest on June 26, 1999, at the National Right to Life Committee Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Winner of the RARTL contest will receive coverage for transportation/meals/lodging for him or herself and a family member to go to Albany. State contest winners will receive:

First and second place winners at the national contest will receive prizes of $1,500 and 1,000 respectively; first place winner will present his or her speech at the Convention Celebration Dinner.

For more information and applications please contact Tom Beck @ RARTL office: (716) 621 – 4690. Date and place of local contest will be set by mid-March.

Legislation in Albany

Annually, Family Planning Advocates meet in Albany in late January. On 1/25/99, the NY State Assembly continued its tradition of passing a favored pro-abortion bill as FPAs meet. This year, by 117 to 32, the Assembly passed A 1753, the "Clinic Access bill" introduced by Rochester Assemblywoman Susan John (D-L).

The bill further restricts/prohibits pro-life picketing, sidewalk counseling, literature distribution and demonstrations around abortion clinics. There is already federal legislation restricting activities at abortion clinics; A 1753 is useless.

The bill responds to the killing of abortionist, Dr. Barnett Slepian in his home. The doctor’s killing has no justification. "Protecting" abortion clinic employees’ homes by prohibiting demonstrations at homes is the only "new" issue in A 1753. Few believe this would have thwarted Dr. Slepian’s killer.

It is widely believed that this legislation will limit the first amendment right of free speech and cause false claims and frivolous law suits. A 1753 would impose penalties that are weak compared to existing penalties imposed on anyone convicted of causing physical injury to another. There simply is no need for A 1753. But, as always, our opponents have seized an event and are using it as their current "rallying cry".

What’s to be done?

#1 The Assembly passed this bill by 117 to 32. All but 2 Rochester area Assemblymembers voted for this bill. Assemblymen Joseph Robach AD 134 and Charles Nesbitt AD 137 opposed the bill. Even if you live outside of their districts, AD 134 or 137, both these legislators deserve a note of thanks for their thought and courage in opposing this bill.

Voting in favor of this harmful, redundant bill were George Winner AD 127; Robert Oaks AD 128, Craig Doran, AD129, James Bacalles, AD 130, Susan John AD 131, Joseph Morelle, AD 132, David Gantt, AD 133, David Koon, AD 135, Jerry Johnson AD 136. Your Assemblymembers’ local address is in your telephone book or at your County Board of Election. If you prefer, contact him/her at the Albany office:

Honorable John/Jane Doe
New York State Assembly
Albany, New York 12248;

1- (518) 455 – 4100

#2 Communicate immediately with 3 Senators. Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, Senator Dale Volker, Chairman: Codes Committee (A 1753 sent to Codes after passing in the Assembly) and your own Senator.

The Senate may act on A 1753, S.32: "The Health Care Anti-Violence Act" or S 33: "The Access to Public Places Act". S 32 and S 33 are the Senate versions of the Assembly’s A 1753 bill. Letters or phone calls are needed to your Senator and Senators Bruno and Volker stating your belief that a new bill is redundant and unnecessarily restricts freedom of speech.

Honorable John/Jane Doe
New York State Senate
Albany, New York 12247

1 - (518) 455 – 2800

Legislation in Washington

At time of this writing there was no word of any imminent action on any bills. Should there be anything before the May Life-Lines, it will be placed on our web page and Life-Mail. If you would like to receive RARTL Life Mail, send request to roch_rtl@juno.com

Clinton-Gore propose funding abortion clinics

The Clinton-Gore administration announced their proposal to provide $4.5 million in public funds to abortion clinics for "security equipment." The announcement of the proposal was made on the 26^th anniversary of Roe v Wade, the US Supreme Court that legalized abortion. David O’Steen, Executive Director of the National Right to Life Committee, said:

This is obviously a political ploy by the Clinton-Gore administration intended to draw attention away from the 1.3 million children that die from abortion every year. The abortion industry is a $400 million-a-year industry that can afford to buy its own security cameras and hardware. The American taxpayer should not be forced to contribute to a for-profit industry that many find abhorrent.

The National Right to Life Committee (and its Rochester affiliate, RARTL) unequivocally condemn any acts of violence used by individuals regardless of their motivation. No person who is truly pro-life could commit such an act of violence in the name of protecting unborn children. The pro-life movement works to protect that tight to life and to restore respect for human life. Violence opposes that goal.

TOPS RECEIPTS

Tops Friendly Markets in the Rochester area continue to redeem Tops receipts returned to them by charitable organizations. Many pro-life people have been saving receipts for RARTL; we have been grateful.

Please send your receipts to the RARTL office, maybe monthly, or drop them off at the office. Receipts for any amount are collectible. In addition to your own receipts, perhaps other family members or neighbors would add to your collection. The help is appreciated

License Plate Holder  - LOVE THEM BOTH

to give the message of life to others as you drive. $5.00 includes shipping and handling. Send order to RIGHT TO LIFE Educational Foundation, Inc. P. O. Box 24073; Cincinnati, Ohio 45224

Target has come to the Rochester area. This is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dayton-Hudson Corporation. Dayton-Hudson Corporation is notorious for its long term, substantial support of Planned Parenthood. You may want to consider this as you decide where you do your shopping. RIGHT TO LIFE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION, INC. bulletin; February, 1999

iGive is on our web page: www.righttoliferoch.org. The shopping opportunities are enormous; prices good; delivery prompt + RARTL gets a donation. It’s a win – win!

Sheila Cody, as Executive Director of Faith Haven, skillfully led the ministry through 8½ years of growth. In Summer, 1998, she resigned to join the staff of a church where she will use her St. Bernard Institute training. Sheila’s resignation was accepted with thanks for her outstanding work at Faith Haven.

Tracy Casselbury, MSW, became Executive Director in September. Tracy has a range of experience and has already brought innovations to Faith Haven in her first six months.

The RARTL Board joins Faith Haven and the community pro-life organizations in thanking Sheila for her years of excellent service and warmly welcoming Tracy to the ministry.

Twenty-six years ago, the US Supreme Court legalized abortion. For all the years since that horrific decision, we have known that abortion ends the life of a child. But abortion can also end a woman’s life.

In Arizona, police arrested an abortionist for manslaughter last week after a woman suffered a punctured uterus and died. Her blood pressure fell so low that clinic workers reportedly didn’t believe their instruments. Because of blunders by the staff, paramedics arrived some four hours after the abortion. By then, the woman had already hemorrhaged to death. The abortionist had been investigated five times earlier, and yet this was the second woman known to have died through his practice. He didn’t have a state license, and the state didn’t make him meet general safety standards.

Sadly, this woman’s death is not an isolated case. In Alabama, one legal abortion killed a mother of five children. Because of another abortion, a woman in Florida had to have her legs amputated.

Abortion leaves ugly scars. Those who support abortion claim it helps women. The truth is abortion harms women. Abortion is never the only choice. Life is always a wonderfully healing choice  by Janet Parshall of Family Research Council

Per an Oregon Human Resources (OHR) press release, 15 people have died by assisted suicide in the first year of legalized euthanasia in Oregon. The OHR summary cites the deaths as an exercise in "the importance of autonomy and personal control." But this view is contrary to the true intent of pro-euthanasia activists who intend to impose on Americans a "duty to die."

"The Oregon law is merely a foot in the door," said Burke Balch, Medical Ethics Department at National Right to Life Committee. "Euthanasia proponents have made it clear that they intend to push America into involuntary euthanasia ."

Derek Humphry, founder of the movement to legalize euthanasia, recently wrote "Economics, not the quest for broadened individual liberties or increased autonomy, will drive assisted suicide to the plateau of acceptable practice…Is there, in fact, a duty to die – responsibility within the family unit…?"

After stating his case that older people and people with disabilities are cost-draining burdens, Humphrey concludes: "Economic reality, therefore, is the main answer to the question, Why now?"

"The compassionate answer to people who are ill is to expand the safety net of effective care and to extend more emotional and psychological support," stated Balch. "The answer of Derek Humphry and other suicide proponents is to discard those who don’t meet some arbitrary standard of worth or who are deemed "too burdensome."

1999 PRO-LIFE DATE BAR

Saturday, April 10:    Roman Catholic Diocese 4^th Annual Celebration for Life
Friday, April 23: RARTL Ed. Fund Cabaret Dinner Theater
Saturday, June 19:    RARTL Ed. Fund Family Fun Run
Tuesday, September 14: 3^rd Leo Holmsten Human Life Award
Saturday, October 9    Birthright Walk for Life

Again United Way donors will be able to make campaign contributions to Rochester Area Right to Life Committee, Education Fund. These donations are very important to maintaining/expanding area pro-life education efforts. Money donated to RARTL Education Fund is received monthly; a percentage of the total donations are kept by the United Way to cover their administrative costs.

To support the Rochester Area Right to Life Committee, Inc. Education Fund through the 1997 United Way Campaign:

1. Request a 1999 Donor Choice Designation Form when your employer gives you a pledge card.

2. In the section entitled Other Eligible Organizations you will see Rochester Area Right to Life Committee, Inc. Education Fund, numbered 1087.

3. On the Designation Form, Choice #3 should be completed to identify RARTL by its name and number and the amount you wish RARTL to receive.

4. Return both the Pledge Card and the Designation Card to the person specified by your employer.

We recognize that the United Way Campaign collects and provides funds for many valuable services. We also believe that activities affirming life itself are an essential, fundamental core. In advance we thank pro-life people who direct their donations to support RARTL’s pro-life efforts in the Rochester area.