Christian Doctors Group Launches Renewed Effort Against Military Base Abortions
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 1, 2010
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — A national organization for Christian doctors has launched a renewed effort to stop the Defense Department funding bill because it contains a provision allowing abortions at taxpayer-funded U.S. military bases.
Senate Republicans have already been successful in stopping the bill once with a filibuster, but they may have to vote again during the lame duck post-election session.
Because Senate Democrats have promised to push for another vote on the bill and its pro-abortion provision after the elections, the Christian Medical and Dental Association and its 17,000 members have launched a renewed campaign to stop it.
In an email to LifeNews.com, Dr. Gene Rudd of the CMDA said three concerns stand out to him about the Burris amendment to overturn the policy against abortions at military base hospitals.
"This is another insidious attempt to have all Americans fund abortions," he said.
"Our country is at least equally divided in its approval/disapproval of abortion. Many polls show a majority to be pro-life," Rudd explained. "Nevertheless, the strategy of abortion supporters is to not only claim the right, but also to make those who disagree with them pay for their abortions."
Secondly, Rudd says military women are not being denied abortion currently.
"They simply must seek abortions on their own. The military is very accommodating, allowing ample logistical solutions," he explained. "Therefore, the underlying motive of this amendment is not to resolve an unmet healthcare need; it is to advance the abortion agenda by forcing the public to facilitate."
Dr. Rudd, who received the Gorgas Award for distinguished service in the American military, also said he believes there will be morale and recruitment consequences on the Medical Corps if the abortion policy is approved.
"A crisis will develop when many physicians, nurses and others refuse to participate. Freedom of conscience will clash with military command," he said. "Many will seek an early exit. Young doctors considering careers in military healthcare will have second thoughts when they learn that they will be expected to participate in procedures they find immoral and unethical."
In August, more than 200 physicians who have served U.S. soldiers signed a letter to members of the Senate protesting the Burris amendment and CMDA is working to put more pressure on members of the Senate to oppose it.
"Hopefully the recent failure to advance the Burris Amendment foreshadows its ultimate political doom," Rudd said.
Related web sites:
CMDA – https://www.cmda.org
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