NEW BUFFER ZONE: 35 HEROES

The New Buffer Zone, with its potential to be worse than the one that went down 9 - 0, will be signed into law this week.  The Senate passed it unanimously.  The House had a role call.  The stalwarts, who stood up for a woman's right to receive hope, help, and love, deserve our thanks.

1.  Please check the list to see if your representative is a Hero.  If so:
2.  Call to say "thank you!"
3.  Remind a few neighbors to call.

NB: Only representatives are on the list.
~For roll calls, all the Democrats are listed in alphabetical order then all the Republicans, so I have listed them that way.
~All the phone numbers are 617-722 followed by the individual number.  Given my poor typing skills, I have listed only the last four numbers next to the Representative's name.
~You may notice that some of the Reps have the same phone number.  They share offices and numbers.  Just ask for your person.
~The asterisk (*) means the person spoke and/or offered amendments on our behalf.  It is good to mention that in your message.

The most important thing we can do is to thank legislators who vote with us!

Thank you!

Anne

Brian Ashe, 2090
Bruce Ayers, 2230
Stephen DiNatale, 2676
Paul Donato, 2040
Colleen Garry, 2380
Wayne Matewsky, 2090
Jim Miceli, 2460
Thomas Petrolati, 2255
Angelo Puppolo, 2430
John Rogers, 2092
Dennis Rosa, 2396
Walter Timilty, 2230
Matthew Beaton, 2488
Nicholas Boldyga, 2810
Leah Cole, 2430
* Vinnie deMacedo 2100
* Geoff Diehl, 2810
* Shawn Dooley, 2810
Peter Durant, 2060
Ryan Fattman, 2460
Kimberly Ferguson, 2263
*Paul Frost, 2489
* Sheila Harrington, 2305
Brad Hill, 2100
Randy Hunt, 2396
Brad Jones, 2100
Kevin Kuros, 2460
* Marc Lombardo, 2460
* Jim Lyons, 2014
Shaunna O'Connell, 2305
* Keiko Orrall, 2090
George Peterson, 2100
Betty Poirier, 2100
Todd Smola, 2240
David Vieira, 2230

Arizona Botched Execution Caused by Doctor-Prescribed Suicide Drug!

When I heard about the execution in Arizona that took two hours of suffering, I knew they used the same drugs that the pro-death lobby is pushing for Doctor-Prescribed Suicide but I couldn't believe that was true.  You probably had the same reaction.  Well, sure enough, it is - the drugs over which the press and courts are having conniptions are the same as the "death with dignity" drugs!  Wesley Smith confirms this in a brief, very useful article, http://www.nationalreview.com/human-exceptionalism/383690/another-cruel-and-unusual-death-dignity-wesley-j-smith

I plan to use this information the next time DPS comes up (or any time I can bring it up)

Anne

Press Release: Arizona "Botched" Execution Uses Same Drugs as Doctor-Prescribed Suicide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Arizona "Botched" Execution Uses Same Drugs as Doctor-Prescribed Suicide

Charlestown, MA - July 25, 2014   

Contact Anne Fox, 781-449-1774

The recent "botched" execution in Arizona used the same drugs as those recommended for doctor-prescribed suicide. We now know that they do not cause "death with dignity" but what appeared to be an agonizing, prolonged death of almost two hours.

In 2012, Massachusetts voters defeated efforts to legalize doctor-prescribed suicide. Advocates filed a bill in the 2013/2014 legislative session and will bring it up again in 2015.

"We urge the legislature and the general public to remember this 'cruel and unusual punishment' when considering doctor-prescribed suicide again and not inflict it on the most vulnerable of Massachusetts' citizens." stated Anne Fox, President, Massachusetts Citizens for Life, the state's oldest and largest pro-life organization.

###

Press Release: Senate President Misspeaks on Abortion Facilities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Senate President Misspeaks on Abortion Facilities 

Charlestown, MA - July 25, 2014

Contact: Anne Fox, 781-449-1774

Senate President Therese Murray falsely claimed in a WATD-FM interview yesterday that "…abortion services…they're few and far between"  at the facilities covered by the new Buffer Zone replacement law, according to the State House News Service.  Murray was discussing the New Buffer Zone Bill when she made the statement that these facilities "...are not abortion areas."

The facts contradict her claims.  In 2012, Planned Parenthood facilities alone performed 11,870 abortions in Massachusetts.  Their clinic in Boston, which has been the focus of most of the testimony and discussion concerning the bill, performed 6,899 of those.  The Boston clinic does abortions three days a week.  That is more than 44 abortions each of those days - one abortion every ten minutes.  Forty-four abortions a day in one facility is hardly "few and far between."

Planned Parenthood in Worcester, Springfield, and Women's Health Services in Brookline each perform about 16 abortions per day every abortion day.  Approximately 5,228 other abortions performed in Massachusetts in 2012 were done in hospitals or other free-standing clinics impacted by the Buffer Zone, such as Four Women in Attleboro, which performed 2,018.

According to Anne Fox, President of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, "President Murray has every right to advocate for a bill.  As an elected official, particularly as the leader of the Senate, she has an obligation to stick to the facts.  Massachusetts Citizens for Life calls on Senator Murray to issue a correction admitting that the new bill is designed to protect abortion clinics and only abortion clinics."

 Massachusetts Citizens for Life is the oldest and largest pro-life organization in the state.  An affiliate of National Right to Life, MCFL has been working to restore protection to life at all stages for more than forty-one years.

###

New Buffer Zone: House Vote

The House voted 116 - 35 in favor of the New Buffer Zone.  House members, led by Jim Lyons, worked valiantly to amend/delay the bill but the juggernaut was in.  Kudos to Jim, Keiko Orrall, Vinnie DeMacedo, Geoff Diehl, Paul Frost, Shawn Dooley, Sheila Harrington, and Marc Lombardo. I'll let you know as soon as we have the roll call. Let's see how fast the other places that have/had Buffer Zones follow Massachusetts over the Constitutional cliff.  Anne

Boston Magazine, Decent Coverage of Buffer Zone and MCFL Billboard!

	I think you will find this article worth reading.  Anne http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2014/07/15/buffer-zones-legislation-filed-billboards/ -

New Buffer Zone Law - What Happened Yesterday

Yesterday: the hearings at the State House on the proposed new Buffer Zone, the Judiciary committee reported it out favorably, and the Senate passed it!

For the first four hours we heard:
Places that do abortions are "health centers."
"Reproductive rights" are a primary constitutional right.
All pro-lifers are violent and threatening.
The lovely counselors who spoke are aberrations.

Planned Parenthood employs a huge number of people in the state who all drone on about their abuse by pro-lifers.  No legislator picked up on the pro-lifers' demands for pictures or videos of the alleged incidents.

When the pro-lifers had a chance to speak:
Eleanor McCullen - and all the counselors who were there - did an outstanding job, explaining that it would be counter-productive for her to behave badly.  Other impressive counselors were on Bill Cotter's panel.  Rod Murphy, Nancy Clark, and Lee Crowley all from Worcester, Jean Healey, and Eric Anthony all spoke eloquently about counseling.  Faith Tendo also came from Worcester to tell about her experience being helped by Problem Pregnancy.  Maureen Vacca and Rita Russo testified.

Phil Moran, the local lawyer for the McCullen win, compared the new zone to the penalty box where the counselors would always be.  State Representatives Jim Lyons and Marc Lombardo spoke.  Jim pointed out that these same people say "The Supreme court has spoken" about Roe v Wade.  Now they have no use for the Court.  Marc stated that this proposed law is so outrageous that it will definitely be appealed and cited the costs in time and money that will be associated with the appeal - the McCullen case has already cost many millions.

Pat Stewart, MCFL Executive Director, gave impressive testimony citing 20 actual laws that already cover blockading, harassing, etc.

Committee Members Keiko Orrall and Sheila Harrington asked excellent questions.  They and Colleen Garry were the only committee members who voted against sending the proposed legislation to the Senate.

As fast as they can get it through the House and signed, Massachusetts will have a law which is worse than the old Buffer Zone.  It effectively creates a 25-foot zone and the penalties are scary - $50,000 and three years in jail.  The legislature is in the process of disrespecting the Supreme Court and penalizing law-abiding citizens.  I do think all the other places that have suspended their Buffer Zones will pass laws like this one.  At least Massachusetts will have company in its foolishness.

Thank goodness I got to go to our Summer Academy afterwards (more in another email).  The wonderful speakers and students restored me.

Anne


Click on the picture to donate.

 

New Buffer Zone hearing TOMORROW!

Late afternoon yesterday, Planned Parenthood's new Buffer Zone bill, (SD) 2106, was filed.  The Judiciary Committee will take testimony tomorrow, Wednesday, at 10 am in Gardner Auditorium.  We expect testimony will not go much past three.  Obviously, they will vote to report it out as soon as the testimony is over. We need to prepare to testify.  This bill is worse than the one just overturned.  Our lawyers say that, in order to appeal successfully, we need a lot of testimony on the record.  That is where we come in. We need to say the law is not needed, that Massachusetts has not arrested anyone outside a clinic in at least 20 years.  Most of all we need to say that this new law is so scary we would be afraid to go near a clinic to try to help a woman.  You can read the law at  http://masscitizensforlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/New-Buffer-Zone-Bill.pdf                If I "detain" a woman to give her literature, I could face big fines and jail.  Who decides if I am detaining?  It looks as though the people in PP could decide.  The state looked dumb when it passed the unconstitutional Buffer Zone.  It will look totally deranged when it passes this new one. Please plan on 10 am in Gardner Auditorium. For once it will be okay to arrive a bit late. Individuals have three minutes to speak and members of panels (3 or 4 people) have two minutes each. I will let you know any new developments.  If you are not able to testify in person, please prepare something written to email to the House Committee Chair before 9 am in the morning, Christopher.Markey@mahouse.gov As always, mighty thanks! Anne

NO NEW BUFFER ZONES: CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS

Don't you feel like saying, "What about 9-0 don't you understand?"

As you know, the AG, the Governor, and Planned Parenthood (or the other way round) plan to pass new laws.  The fact that the Supreme Court said there are already laws on the books, that Massachusetts was forced to admit at SCOTUS testimony that they have not had to enforce these laws; that new laws will probably end up at the Court again wasting much time and taxpayer money, doesn't seem to matter because these people are demagoging.

Each of us must call our State Senator and our State Representative ASAP!  The message is:
The Supreme Court ruled against the Buffer Zone 9-0
There are already laws on the books to keep driveway, sidewalks, and entrances clear.
If a person defies the laws, an injunction can already be brought against him or her.
There is no need for any new laws. 
Please do not spend your time and our taxes on unnecessary laws that will most likely just end up before the Supreme Court again

To make the calls:
After you are on:  http://masscitizensforlife.org/get-informed/legislation/
If you know the names of your State Senator and State Rep, click onto State Senate and State Representatives for their phone numbers

It you do not know the names of your legislators click onto Look Up Your Legislator and Contact Information.
We have bowled them over with calls before.  We can do it again! 

Anne

NB: When you call, be sure to give your name and the fact that you are a constituent!
Calls or personal visits are the way to go - emails can be ignored


Click on the picture to donate.

Press Release: MCFL Billboard Campaign to Defeat New Buffer Zones

For Immediate Release      Contact Anne Fox, 617-242-4199
Boston, July 14, 2014








Statement by Anne Fox, President, Massachusetts Citizens for Life:

"These MCFL Billboards on the corner of Cambridge and Bowdoin Streets, in the middle of many government buildings, which are viewed by 60,000 people every day, remind the legislators and their constituents that the Supreme Court ruled unanimously (9 - 0) that the Massachusetts Buffer Zone was unconstitutional. 

"There are already laws against blocking driveways or entrances; there are laws against harassment, and injunctions are available against persons who violate existing laws.  Massachusetts does not need any new laws.  During testimony before the Court in January, Jennifer Miller, Assistant Mass. Attorney General, admitted that the state has not enforced any of these laws for more than a decade.

​"Massachusetts Citizens for Life urges the legislature to let law enforcement apply existing laws before writing any new ones.  Let's not waste the time of the legislators and the tax money of the citizens to end up before the Supreme Court again."

The Best Gift My Grandson Ever Gave Me

	Ray Flynn just sent out this article - in the Huffington Post, no less.  It is a wonderful read.  We are so fortunate to have Ray on our team! Anne http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ray-flynn/handicapped-grandchild-_b_5567517.html?utm_hp_ref=fifty&ir=Fifty Click on Billboard picture to donate

MCFL Billboards Just Went Up Near the State House!

Corner of Cambridge and Bowdoin Sts.

We are so excited!

I won't be sending out the press release until Monday but I couldn't wait to tell you!

Through a series of wonderful people, especially a generous donor, we have these billboards for the rest of July.  They are 900 square feet each. They have been up for minutes and we have already had a call complaining!

The legislature plans to vote on new buffer zone-type legislation before they adjourn on July 31st.  All of them and everyone else going up the other side of Beacon Hill, as well as those driving by (60,000 a day), will see them.

The billboards are at the bottom of Beacon Hill at the corner of Cambridge and Bowdoin Sts.  The building on the top left in the first picture is the John W. McCormack Bldg. at One Ashburton Place and it is adjacent to the eastern side of the Massachusetts State House.

So, our letter went last Monday to every legislator and was picked up by the media in Boston and nationwide.

The billboards are up now.

Next Monday, we will begin the phone campaign.  I'll be calling and emailing you about that.

SCOTUS said there are laws in place, which Massachusetts admits to not having used, to take care of potential harassment, blocking entrances and sidewalks.  We do not want the state to pass new laws which are not needed and which will be challenged and overturned again.  They would be such a waste of our tax dollars and the legislators' time!

It is going to be a lovely weekend for a drive down Cambridge Street!  Let me know what you think.

Anne

Save the Date!

Save the Date

Massachusetts Citizens For Life will be Hosting its Annual Fundraising Banquet

Thursday, October 23, 2014

6:00 pm Reception      7:00 pm Dinner
​

Tiffany Ballroom at the Four Points by Sheraton, Norwood
​

 Registration starts August 20^th

Contact Matt at 617-242-4199 ext. 221

Consider hosting a table for your group.

Ryan Bomberger

Keynote Speaker

To see Ryan's expertise in action, be sure to check out this interview on MSNBC following the March for Life in Washington.      

Ryan has a rather unique perspective of the innate nature of purpose. His biological mother was raped yet courageously chose to continue the pregnancy, giving him life. He was adopted as a baby and grew up in a loving, multi-racial Christian family of 15. With siblings of varying ethnicities, he grew up with a great appreciation for diversity. Ten of the thirteen children were adopted in this remarkable family. His life defies the myth of the "unwanted" child as he was adopted, loved and has flourished.

Today, he is an Emmy® Award-winning Creative Professional who founded The Radiance Foundation (TRF), a life-affirming 501(c)(3) organization, along with his wife, Bethany.

Ryan and his organization have been featured in the New York Times, USA Today, LA Times, CNN, MSNBC, the Associated Press, Washington Times, FOX News ABC World News with Diane Sawyer, and, seemingly, the entire blogosphere for exposing the disproportionate impact of abortion in black communities. He has taken on the NAACP for its pro-abortion actions which lead to an unprecedented number of black, unborn babies being aborted.

Ryan has spoken to hundreds of thousands of pro-life activists using his award-winning, multimedia presentations that are sure to impress. We are excited to have Ryan as our keynote speaker at this year's fundraising banquet. For a chance to meet Ryan in a private VIP reception, please consider being an MCFL Investor for this year's event.

Press Release: MCFL Letter to Legislators Opposing New Buffer Zone-Type Laws

 

For Immediate Release   Contact Patricia Stewart, Esq. 617-242-4199

Charlestown, July 8, 2014

 

Massachusetts Citizens for Life has sent the following letter to every member of the Massachusetts Legislature urging them to respect the First Amendment rights of people outside abortion facilities.

Dear Representative, Senator:

Seven years ago, at the urging of the Attorney General, the Legislature passed the so-called Buffer Zone Act, and the Governor signed it into law despite warnings that it violated the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and would not withstand a challenge to its constitutionality.

Last week, the United States Supreme Court in a unanimous 9-0 decision vindicated critics of the act (which included the ACLU) and ruled that the law violated the First Amendment and, therefore, was unconstitutional. McCullen, et al v. Coakley Attorney General of Massachusetts, et al, 573 U.S. ___ (2014).

Now in a rush to judgment, the same Attorney General and Governor are asking you to support new legislation that in all likelihood will lead to more litigation due to infringement on the right of citizens to use the public sidewalk for the two primary methods of communicating their message to persons entering abortion clinics: close personal conversation and distribution of literature. As the Court noted, those forms of expression have historically been closely associated with the transmission of ideas. It stated, "[c]onsistent with the traditionally open character of public streets and sidewalks, we have held that the government's ability to restrict speech in such locations is 'very limited.'" McCullen, at ___. Pointing to its decision in Schenck v. Pro-Choice Network of Western N.Y., 519 U.S. 357, 377 (1997), it reminded us that "[l]eafletting [sic] and commenting on matters of public concern are classic forms of speech that lie at the heart of the First Amendment." The Court then cautioned, "[w]hen the government makes it more difficult to engage in these modes of communication, it imposes an especially significant First Amendment burden." McCullen, at ___.

As you consider voting on the Attorney General's new proposal, please think carefully as to whether or not the latest version will pass constitutional muster. Remember, she convinced you before that her bill would do so, and she was dead wrong.

Thank you for any consideration you may give these matters.

Very truly yours,


Anne C. Fox                             Patricia D. Stewart                             Eva Murphy
President                                   Executive Director                             Legislative Director


​

You have until midnight!

	This is the last day to make a contribution for your Walk beneficiary.  I hope the pregnancy resource centers will have more women needing their help as a result of the Buffer Zone ruling.  They really need your support at this important time! If you have not already given, please go immediately to http://respectlifewalk.org/ Thank you for making such a difference in the world! Anne ​

Good News From NRLC Convention and NJ

On Tuesday (24th), pro-lifers across the country won all five U.S. Senate and Congressional primaries, one special election and one runoff!  Also, National Right to Life (NRLC) is making calls to members.  They say it sounds like 2010 - very encouraging! Yesterday the New Jersey Assembly (House) was supposed to vote on DPSuicide.  The proponents did not have the votes, so it appears to be off the table for now. Anne

New York Times Outdoes Themselves

New York Times accepts a full-page ad today using a picture of Margaret Sanger to viciously attack the Roman Catholic bishops over a Supreme Court case involving a family of Evangelical Christians.  Disgusting birthday present for our country! 

Anne

​

 

Walk to Aid Mothers and Children - Participate Through This Weekend!

At the Walk, we celebrated "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"; we celebrated the Buffer Zone decision.  Most of all we celebrated our greatest resource: our children.  We have kept the Walk website through this weekend, July 7th, so that you may sponsor the beneficiary group of your choice.  If you were not able to attend the Walk and have not yet participated, please take a moment now. Just think, with the Buffer Zone gone, there may be more women going to the Pregnancy Resource Centers so the Centers will need your help more than ever! Thank you, Anne

Very Successful Walk! You May Still Participate.

Yesterday on the Common were the nicest people, the best weather, and all good things. We were so fortunate to have Ryleigh's mother, Courtney Silvani and Fr. Eric Cadin, one of the plaintiffs in the Buffer Zone case, speak to us.  You can read about it in the Boston Globe. The three reporters were very respectful and the picture is beautiful. /story.html?utm_source=14%2F06%2F30+%28ACLU+%2B+Choose+to+Be+Nice+%2B+FL+Pol+Almanac%29&utm_campaign=20140630ML&utm_medium=email

You will notice that the Globe missed the point of the Walk (being fixated on the Buffer Zone decision as almost-the-end-of-the-world).  I sent the following Letter to the Editor because it is important that we have had this Walk for many years to aid mothers and their precious children:

Letter to the Editor,

I write to thank the Globe and to point out a serious omission in your article, "Anti-abortion activists march on Common" (June 30, 2014).

This was the 27th Annual Walk to Aid Mothers and Children. 

Massachusetts Citizens for Life sponsors the Walk whose purpose is to allow groups like pregnancy resource centers to raise money for their work.  Besides the people who are there walking, many, many others across the state support the Walk financially.  Mass. Citizens is proud to be able to provide this opportunity for the beneficiaries.

Of course, the win at the Supreme Court in McCullen vs. Coakley, the "Buffer Zone," is exciting, but the purpose of the Walk remains to provide the opportunity for these helping groups to raise much needed finds for their vital work.
​
Sincerely,
         
Anne Fox, President, Massachusetts Citizens for Life.

If you have not donated for a beneficiary group, please go immediately to http://respectlifewalk.org/

Many thanks to all who worked, who walked, who donated and who will donate! 

Anne

Great Job, Bridget!

I was at National Right to Life last week.  I just learned that Bridget Fay, one of our Mass. Citizens Board members and a lawyer appeared last Thursday on Greater Boston to discuss the Buffer Zone win.  She was great.  Here is the link http://wgbhnews.org/post/why-free-speech-trumped-right-avoid-harrassment   That makes at least two Suffolk Law professors who are on the Planned Parenthood Board! ​

Summer Academy Starts July 9th - Register Now!

We are running the Summer Academy again this year.  It is a wonderful, free opportunity for students.  Thomas, who was a student in '12, is an intern with us this summer.  Contact Janet at jcallahan@masscitizensforlife.org or 617-242-4199 ext. 230.  Please encourage your children, grandchildren, neighbors to come. 

Anne
​

 2014 Massachusetts Citizens for Life Summer Academy, 2014

Rising High School Students – Methuen
​

The goal of the sessions is to form and engage high school students as workers in the pro-life movement. More specifically and immediately, we intend these students to become Ambassadors of MCFL in their respective schools, churches, or homeschooling communities during the 2014-2015 school year, as both leaven and liaison in their respective pro-life clubs.
​

• So that we may provide a thorough formation, our preference is for students who can and will commit to attending all, or at least most, of the sessions.
• An award certificate will be conferred during the last session, which will also serve as a "commissioning ceremony" for these MCFL Ambassadors.
• In order to present a thorough overview of the main life issues, the pro-life movement, and the various ways that these students can and should get involved, we will hold six weekly sessions. With the exception of the last, sessions will normally consist of an expert presentation of content, and interactive workshop, with 30 minutes allotted at the beginning for informal fraternizing over pizza and soft drinks.

            
Dates:              St. Monica School, Methuen, Wednesdays, July 9 – Aug 13
​
Time:               6:00 p.m. To 8:00 p.m. (6:00 – 8:30 p.m. for last session)

Tuition:             Free for pro-life high school students

                                                SUMMER ACADEMY, 2014 

July 9,   Fetal development and how to discuss the issue with your friends, Linda Thayer
              Scientist and Educator

July 16, Post Abortion Problems, Cori Connor Morse, Post-Abortion Survivor
              Help available at Pregnancy Resource Centers,  Anne Magnus, Pregnancy  Care                       
              Center, Haverhill

July 23, Representative Jim Lyons and
               What Roe really did, Helen Cross, Editor of the MCFL Quarterly Magazine

July 30,  End of Life Issues: current scientific, legislative developments, Patricia Stewart, Esq,
               end-of-life expert and Executive Director, MCFL

Aug. 6,    Student Presentations
                Moral and scientific questions in the area of life and reproduction, Dianne Hunt,
                 Humanae Vitae Family Healthcare

Aug. 13,  Commissioning Ceremony and showing of October Baby – open to families and the
               general public
       
​                                                                                                                    

Alveda King on 50 Years of Civil Rights and Great News From Burlington Vermont

Today is the 50th anniversary of Civil Rights. Dr Alveda King has spoken a number of times in Massachusetts and last week at the National Right to Life Convention.  This is what she has to say, " When we said we would no longer sit at the back of the bus, a place was being reserved for us down at the abortion clinic."

The numbers in Massachusetts bear out her statement.  According to the 2010 Census, Blacks make up 7.02 % of the population in the Commonwealth yet 30% of abortions are perpetrated on black non-hispanic women.  That is somewhat higher than the national average.

We know that Margaret Sanger intentionally set up her clinics in minority areas to wipe out those she considered undesirable.  Her evil influence still pervades the industry.

Vermont Right to Life just informed us that the Burlington City Council has lifted the ordinance requiring a 35-foot Buffer Zone around Planned Parenthood.  More good fruits of McCullen vs. Coakley!

We are working on a very exciting project.  Expect some amazing pictures tomorrow.

Anne


It's not too late to help....
​

Hobby Lobby Decision Underscores Deeper Abortion-Expanding Aspects of O-Care

The experts at National Right to Life have produced this analysis of the Hobby-Lobby decision.  It is the most comprehensive, accurate and pertinent to us that I have seen.  See why it is a "moderate victory."

Anne

National Right to Life Analysis:

Narrow Supreme Court decision in Hobby Lobby
underscores deeper abortion-expanding aspects of Obamacare 

The National Right to Life Committee, the nation's oldest and largest pro-life organization, today released the following analysis of yesterday's U.S. Supreme Court decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby. Any part of the following analysis may be attributed to National Right to Life.

​The ruling provides a modest victory for religious conscience rights. However, as explained further below, the ruling does not truly correct any of the major abortion-expanding problems created by Obamacare.

​The five-justice majority rejected the Obama Administration's attempt to force family-owned for-profit corporations to directly purchase health insurance covering certain drugs and devices that violate the employer's religious and moral beliefs. The Court held that this application of a provision of Obamacare violates a federal statute, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The Court's majority recognized the gravity of the moral and religious objections raised by Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties in this case.

However, the Court left open the possibility that those objections might be satisfactorily resolved by a government mandate ("accommodation") that these employers' insurance carriers pay directly for the same drugs and devices. This leaves unresolved the status of many entities (including religiously affiliated schools, charities, and hospitals) with sincere religiously based objections to providing specific drugs and devices, who regard a federal mandate that requires them to take action to require their insurance carrier to carry out the same ends as differing only in form and not in substance from the original mandate.

​Moreover, regardless of how the scope of the "accommodation" is defined by future rulemaking and litigation, it is difficult to discern what would prevent HHS from issuing a further expansion of its "preventive services" mandate to require that most employers also provide coverage for surgical abortions, or for doctor-prescribed suicide, that would be just as expansive as the contraceptive mandate.

In short, even with respect only to the "preventive services" component of Obamacare, the Court's ruling in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby comes nowhere near to correcting the heart of the problem, which is the overly expansive authority that the Obamacare law itself provides to HHS to define "preventive services." The other major abortion-expanding provisions of Obamacare, including the massive tax subsidies that will assist millions of Americans to purchase health plans that cover elective abortion, were not even issues in the cases just decided.

Only comprehensive legislative reform can cure the multiple abortion-expanding components of Obamacare – and such reform can only be accomplished with new leadership in the U.S. Senate and in the White House.

During the congressional debate over Obamacare, National Right to Life continuously warned against the abortion-expanding and health care rationing provisions of the bill. An archive of documents related to the abortion-expanding provisions of Obamacare is available here: http://www.nrlc.org/federal/ahc/obamalaw/. In March, National Right to Life's Robert Powell Center for Medical Ethics issued a report on how Obamacare is rationing access to life-preserving medical treatment, "The Affordable Care Act and Health Care Access in the United States" which is available here (with other supporting materials): http://www.nrlc.org/communications/healthcarereport



It's not too late to help.....