Supreme Court May Take Major Case to Decide if States Can Defund Planned Parenthood

Opinion   |   Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. and David Prentice, PH.D.   |   Aug 2, 2018   |   10:12AM   |   Washington, DC

Like so many other pro-lifers, we are thrilled with the prospect of a new day on the United States Supreme Court. While we have been focusing intently on confirming Judge Brett Kavanaugh as associate justice of the Supreme Court, there is another battle we are waging in front of the Court.

In just a few short months, the United States Supreme Court will decide whether to take a case that will have sweeping ramifications for the dignity of human life throughout our country.

Back in 2016, Kansas began withholding state tax dollars from Planned Parenthood in the wake of reports that the organization had been trafficking in human baby body parts.

Actually, “reports” doesn’t do it justice. Like us, you have no doubt watched the videos published by the Center for Medical Progress (CMP) with abject horror as Planned Parenthood execs discuss killing and dismembering babies and selling them for profit.

As a doctor and biochemist, we have reviewed ultrasounds, delivered babies, studied embryology, and lectured on bioethics. We’ve seen newborn babies, who no one gave a chance, thrive. We’ve seen mothers frightened by a scary ultrasound, only to rejoice at their child’s wedding 20 years later. We’ve looked at molecular genetics and their imprint on human lives. So to us, the very thought of Planned Parenthood not only murdering these innocent little ones but also chopping them up and selling their “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14) body parts leaves us utterly appalled.

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In February of this year, the 10th Circuit ruled the State’s actions unconstitutional.  In March, the State of Kansas filed a petition with the US Supreme Court to overturn this terrible ruling.

We are taking this fight to our nation’s highest court to stand for what is right. We were pleased to announce in April that Americans United for Life and a group of 15 other states both filed amicus curiae briefs in support of the Kansas petition.

Rulings on the issue have resulted in divided decisions in multiple circuits around the nation, including an 8th Circuit ruling 2-1 against Planned Parenthood, so we are hopeful that the Supreme Court will take the case.

Kansas has always been at the forefront of protecting life. Our state was founded on the idea everyone has a God-given right to life and liberty. Two of our first laws in Kansas emphasized basic human dignity, prohibiting slavery and abortion.

Like most Kansans, we have been pro-life since the very beginning.  We remember the dark day that Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973. Since then, Kansas has led the fight for life.

LifeNews Note: David Prentice Ph.D. is with the Charlotte Lozier Institute.