Judie Brown: “We remain concerned that ACOG will manipulate the truth to suit their political agenda”
WASHINGTON, D.C. (07 April 2008) – Judie Brown, president of American Life League issued a statement regarding the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ethics committee announcement that it is re-examining its position on abortion referrals.
"It is heartening to see that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Mike Leavitt, is concerned about the proposed ACOG policy that would force pro-life doctors to refer for abortion," said Brown. "We are pleased that he is defending the right of a doctor not to perform or refer for abortion. Forcing a doctor to refer for abortion makes him an accessory to murder."
Last November, the ACOG ethics committee opined that physicians who objected on moral or ethical grounds to abortion, sterilization or the prescribing of contraceptives owe patients a timely referral to another doctor willing to provide.
Leavitt submitted a letter in mid-March to leaders of ACOG and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology stating concerns that the ethics committee's position would force physicians to either violate their conscience or risk losing their board certification. In response, ACOG stated that "in light of uncertain and mixed interpretation," it would reconsider the position.
"We recall with some sadness that it was ACOG that redefined pregnancy in 1965 as beginning eight days after it actually begins so that their members would not have to tell women that their birth control pills abort children," continued Brown. "It is for this reason that we remain concerned that regardless of the Secretary’s comments, ACOG will manipulate the truth once again to suit their political agenda. Time will tell."
American Life League was co-founded in 1979 by Judie Brown. It is the largest grassroots Catholic pro-life organization in the United States and is committed to the protection of all innocent human beings from the moment of creation to death. For more information or press inquiries, please contact Michael Hichborn at 540.659.7900.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- Wall Street Journal: Ob-Gyn Group Reconsiders Position on Abortion Referrals (7 April 2008)
- American Medical News: ACOG May Redo Abortion Conscience Policy (7 April 2008)
- American Life League: American Life League Blasts Forced Abortion Referrals (13 Dec 2008)
- "The Limits of Conscientious Refusal in Reproductive Medicine," American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Ethics opinion (November 2007)
Released 07 April 2008