ACLJ Rejects Planned Parenthood's 'Clarification' Over Supporting Killing Infants From Botched Abortions
The American Center for Law and Justice has rejected Planned Parenthood's explanation of its comments about killing infants after they have been born, saying that the "clarification" the organization issued came only after it received media scrutiny.
"What's clear is that Planned Parenthood in Florida clearly articulated what they believe: that Florida should have the 'right' to do what Gosnell did -- kill a child after it's born, if the mother and doctor agree. The Planned Parenthood follow-up 'clarification' came only after their abhorrent position received media attention and publicity," Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ, told The Christian Post via email.
Last month, Alisa LaPolt Snow of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates argued that the fate of a child that is born after a failed abortion should be in the hands of the mother and the doctor.
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"If a baby is born on a table as a result of a botched abortion, what would Planned Parenthood want to have happen to that child that is struggling for life?" asked Rep. Jim Boyd at a hearing over the Born Alive Infants Protection Act.
"Well, we believe that any decision that's made should be left up to the woman, her family, and the physician," Snow replied. "I am not a physician, I am not an abortion provider. So I do not have that information."
After those comments sparked controversy in the media, Lillian Tamayo of the national Planned Parenthood clarified a week later that established medical guidelines should be followed in such cases.
"Medical guidelines and ethics already compel physicians facing life-threatening circumstances to respond, and Planned Parenthood physicians provide high-quality medical care and adhere to the most rigorous professional standards, including providing emergency care. In the extremely unlikely event that the scenario presented by the panel of legislators should happen, of course Planned Parenthood would provide appropriate care to both the woman and the infant," Tamayo said.
The ACLJ, however, note to CP that Planned Parenthood has actively opposed infant protection acts in the past, such as the Illinois Born Alive Act in 2007 that sought protection for newly born babies following a failed abortion procedure.
"Make no mistake about it – Planned Parenthood's policies and actions clearly support a culture of death. That's why it is so critical that efforts continue to defund Planned Parenthood – put an end to the flow of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars that it receives each year," ACLJ stressed.
The law group is currently litigating to hold Planned Parenthood affiliates in California accountable for more than $100 Million in illegal overbilling.
Earlier this month, Planned Parenthood condemned the actions of Kermit Gosnell, a late-term abortion provider in Pennsylvania charged with killing seven babies after they were born. However, the group continues to oppose tighter regulation to protect infants in such situations.
"Planned Parenthood strongly condemns the alleged actions of Kermit Gosnell, and we would condemn any physician or health-care provider who did not follow the law or recklessly endangered the health of others," said Dayle Steinberg, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Steinberg argued, however, that regulations will not stop doctors like Gosnell from committing such crimes, and instead will increase the number of poor women who are forced by circumstances to turn to unsafe options for medical care.
Gosnell, who is currently on trial for running what many have described as a "house of horrors" abortion clinic, can face the death penalty if convicted.
