Groups: Planned Parenthood Abortion Centers Should be Scrutinized More 
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 24, 2007
Overland Park, KS (LifeNews.com) — Because a Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Kansas has been charged by with more than 100 counts of violating state abortion and health laws, pro-life groups say Planned Parenthood centers nationwide need more scrutiny. Both the Christian Medical Association and Operation Rescue called for more oversight.
Dr. David Stevens, the head of the CMA, says the case raises larger questions about how government regulates abortion businesses.
"Why does the abortion industry remain the most unregulated medical operation in this country? Is political correctness stifling investigations and enforcement of the law?" he asked.
"If just 29 records from one Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in Kansas have produced 107 criminal charges, isn’t it possible that similar abuses are also occurring at other of the 860 Planned Parenthood facilities nationwide?" Stevens added.
"With our tax dollars supporting Planned Parenthood, the public has a right to know," he said.
Operation Rescue president Troy Newman agreed and his group is calling for an emergency suspension of Federal funding to all Planned Parenthood organizations nationwide in light of the charges.
"All Planned Parenthood organizations are required to adhere to standardized policies and procedures," he explained. "If there have been 107 criminal charges after reviewing just 29 records from one year, then it is reasonable to have concern that others are also violating the law."
"Taxpayers should not be forced to fund an organization that is operating outside the law," he added.
Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri was charged last week with 23 felonies and 84 misdemeanors.
Johnson County Attorney Phill Kline accused it of submitting false information to the government, doing abortions, and failing to determine viability for late-term abortions.
These charges were based on 29 patient’s abortion records obtained from 2003 and there could be more violations regarding other women in more recent years.
A coalition of pro-life groups is scheduled to submit a citizens’ petition in the next few days that would compel Johnson County, Kansas to convene a grand jury to further investigate Planned Parenthood on additional allegations of illegal activity over the past five years.
"These questions need to be addressed much more forcefully, with oversight hearings by state and federal legislators," Dr. Stevens concluded, "and also with increased scrutiny and recommendations for reform by medical oversight organizations."
