Planned Parenthood Opposes Bill Protecting Babies Born After Botched Abortions

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Mar 28, 2013   |   5:33PM   |   Tallahassee, FL

The Planned Parenthood abortion business in Florida is opposing a bill in the state legislature that would provide medical care and legal protection for babies who are born alive after failed abortions.

This is the same legislation President Barack Obama refused to support during his time in the Illinois legislature and it mirrors a national law President George W. Bush signed after nurse Jill Stanek exposed how her Chicago-area hospital left babies to die in utility closets after botched abortions.

The pro-life, HB1129, measure ultimately cleared the House Criminal justice Subcommittee. The bill would require that medical care be given to newborns, likely to be premature, who survive botched abortions. The care would be given at a hospital and not at the abortion clinic.

“The state has an interest in people who are incapacitated,” said bill sponsor Rep. Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park. “This bill is intended to guarantee all respect and humanity to an infant that’s born alive, regardless of how it entered this world.”

Daniel McConchie, the Vice President of Government Affairs for Americans United for Life, informed LifeNews of a subcommittee meeting yesterday where a representative of Planned Parenthood opposed the measure. He provided a transcript of the portion of the hearing and a video to LifeNews:

Chairman Boyd: “So, um, it is just really hard for me to even ask you this question because I’m almost in disbelief. 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?”

Miss Snow (PP): “Um, well, we believe that any decision is made should be left up to the woman, her family, and the physician.”

Chairman Davis: “I believe you were in the room when I asked Rep. Pigman what happens in a situation where a baby is alive, breathing on a table, moving. What do your physicians do at that point?”

Miss Snow: “Um, I do not have that information. I am not a physician, I am not an abortion provider. So I do not have that information.”

Chairman Davis: “I understand that you are not a physician, but you represent physicians who do perform this activity. And can you tell me what happens when a baby is alive on a table at that point? What do they do with the baby that is struggling to live?”

Miss Snow: “I don’t know and as I referenced earlier, we don’t know how prevalent this situation even is.”

Chariman Davis: “I don’t know how else I can get an answer Mr. Chairman.”

Rep 3: “Along the same lines you stated that a baby born alive on a table as a result of a botched abortion that that decision should be left to the doctor and the family. Is that what you’re saying?”

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Miss Snow: “That decision should be between the patient and the health care provider.”

Rep 3: “I think that at that point the patient would be the child struggling on the table, wouldn’t you agree?”

Miss Snow: “Uh, that’s a very good question. I really don’t know how to answer that…um…I would be glad to have some more conversations with you about this.”

Later:

Rep 4: “What objection could you possibly have to obligate a doctor to transport a child born alive to a hospital where it seems to me they would be most likely to be able to survive?”

Miss Snow: “What about those, and I’m just speaking out here, what about those situations where it is in a rural health care setting, the hospital is 45 minutes or an hour away, that’s the closest trauma center or emergency room. You know there’s just some logistical issues involved that we have some concerns about.”

Video of the full hearing can be seen at:
https://myfloridahouse.gov/VideoPlayer.aspx?eventID=2443575804_2013031292&committeeID=2719