Madison, WI (LifeNews.com) -- Officials with the University of Wisconsin say that a new abortion centers doctors there plan to put together is meant for non-profit purposes. However, the director of a leading pro-life group says she doubts that is the case and says UW is only considering the abortion center to make money.

University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, faculty doctors and Meriter Hospital are behind a proposal to build a second-trimester abortion center that will do abortions at Madison Surgery Center.

The idea has caused considerable controversy in Wisconsin and united pro-life groups in a massive statewide effort to oppose it.

In the latest twist in the debate, the Associated Press obtained more documents from UW about the plans for the abortion center.

The records detail some of the secret planning that went into the proposal and it cited opposition from some UW and hospital employees that may make it difficult to put in place.

The AP-obtained documents also include a Powerpoint presentation with a slide showing "increased departmental revenue" at the top of a list of benefits of putting together the abortion facility.

UW Health spokeswoman Lisa Brunette told AP that the slide is not representative of the desire UW doctors have but was obtained from some abortion advocates in another state who support such centers at university hospitals.

"Although the business arrangements have not been fully worked out, from the information we have now we do not expect the second-trimester procedures to generate revenue above expenses," she said.

However, Barbara Lyons, the executive director of Wisconsin Right to Life, says the documents clearly show the UW plan to be about making money from doing abortions.

The documents "regarding the controversial and horrendous plan for late-term abortions to be performed at the Madison Surgery Center indicates that money and secrecy were the motivators," she told LifeNews.com.

“The power point developed by UW officials detailing the ‘benefits’ of the plan states that ‘increased departmental revenue’ was at the top of the list," she said.

Lyons also condemned the secretive nature of the abortion center plan.

“If this plan is such an important and necessary ‘service,’ as they describe it, why did it have to be kept secret from employees who will be dramatically impacted by adding late-term abortions to their place of employment,” she asked. “Why are employees from doctors to nurses to receptionists so opposed to the plan and fearful of losing their jobs?”

“This plan should and must be defeated for the sake of patients, medical professionals, and the status and reputation of the UW Health community. And, of course, for the unborn children who would be destroyed at the Madison Surgery Center,” Lyons added.

Officials will not publicly name the physicians involved in the new abortion plan, but LifeNews.com learned that UW Health physician Caryn R. Dutton, of the Obstetrics and Gynecology department, will do the late-term abortions.

Dutton is also affiliated with Meriter Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital.

About 8,000 Wisconsin women get abortions every year and 18 percent came in the thirteenth week of pregnancy or later.

ACTION: Contract the Madison Surgery Center at http://www.madisonsurgcenter.org or madisonsurgcenter@uwmf.wisc.edu and urge strong opposition to the new plan to do abortions.

Also contact Donna Katen-Bahensky, President and CEO, UW Hospital and Clinics at (608) 263-6400, Jeffrey Grossman, MD, President and CEO, UW Medical Foundation at (608) 263-7013, and Jim Woodward, President and CEO, Meriter Hospital at (608) 417-6000.

Related web sites:
Wisconsin Right to Life - http://www.WisconsinRightToLife.org

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