SALEM, Oregon (BP) – Oregon rolled back one of the only safeguards in the state's assisted suicide law last week. The change does away with a 15-day waiting period if a physician predicts a patient has fewer than 15 days to live. "[Removing] the waiting period makes it even easier for a bad actor to coerce or force someone to end their own lives," Liberty Pike, communications director for Oregon Right to Life, said. "And the number of reasons that somebody might want to do that are … [Read more...]
Planned Parenthood reports more money, fewer services
NEW YORK (WNS) – Abortion giant Planned Parenthood raised more money in 2016 but provided fewer services, including abortions, according to the annual report it released last week. The report struck a tone of defiance against recent pro-life efforts but offered no explanation for the drop in assistance for women not seeking abortions, services political activists claim are vital to the organization’s mission. Students for Life of America president Kristan Hawkins likened the report to … [Read more...]
Fighting taxpayer-funded abortion in Illinois: Lawsuit filed by pro-life organizations and lawmakers could have national implications
(WNS) - Opponents of an Illinois law that would allow state funding of abortion on demand for state employees and Medicaid recipients have filed suit. Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the law, known as HB 40, earlier this year, and the Thomas More Society filed suit last week on behalf of 10 pro-life organizations, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, and eight state legislators filing as taxpayers. The suit, a request to “restrain and enjoin” a misuse of tax … [Read more...]
Rights to life and free speech intersect at Supreme Court
(WNS) - A U.S. Supreme Court case testing the constitutionality of a California abortion law will affect free speech beyond the battleground over unborn lives. National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Becerra, which the high court agreed this month to hear, focuses on whether the government can prescribe a message for groups that disagree with it - in this case, a message that promotes abortion. Pro-life groups that have filed suit against the law are optimistic the court will … [Read more...]
California pro-life centers win fight against abortion promotion law
(WNS) - Pro-life pregnancy care centers in Los Angeles will not be forced to promote abortion after a state trial judge last week halted enforcement of California’s Reproductive Freedom, Accountability, Comprehensive Care, and Transparency (FACT) Act. Riverside County Superior Court Judge Gloria Trask issued a permanent injunction against the 2015 law that required pregnancy care centers to post signs or distribute literature telling women the state offers free or low-cost contraception … [Read more...]
Apple removes pro-life prayer app
(WNS) – Tech giant Apple removed a pro-life prayer app from its App Store following backlash from pro-abortion advocates, another example of bias against Christian groups. Human Coalition’s app, still available on the Google Play Store, displays a list of prayer requests, such as, “Someone considering abortion in Dallas, Texas.” When users signal with a swipe of their thumb that they’ve prayed for the situation, the app updates a daily tally of prayers. The group said Apple removed … [Read more...]
Republican Illinois governor OKs state funds for abortion
CHICAGO, Ill. (WNS) - Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, a Republican, signed a bill on Sept. 28 approving taxpayer funding for abortion and protecting state abortion provisions in the event the U.S. Supreme Court ever overturns Roe v. Wade. “I personally am pro-choice,” Rauner said at a news conference before signing the bill. “I always have been. And I made no qualms about that when I was elected governor. And I have not and never will change my views. I personally believe that a woman should … [Read more...]
California bill threatens freedoms of religion and speech
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (WNS) – California Assembly Bill 569, which would bar employment discrimination based on “reproductive health” decisions, hit Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk last week. Pro-life groups see the bill as a threat to religious liberty and freedom of speech, as it would nullify employee codes of conduct that cover the use of contraception and abortion. California ProLife Council director Brian Johnston said the bill is “really taking rights away from an employer, who they hire, … [Read more...]
CDC report leaves pro-lifers encouraged, cautious
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (BP) -- The number of women and girls undergoing abortions in the United States dropped by one-fifth between 2004 and 2013, a new report shows. While the report shows the abortion rate is the lowest it's been since 1969 when the government started tracking the procedure, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission urged a bit of caution in its news release, The Weekly. While expressing optimism with the report, they also noted the study relies on information provided … [Read more...]