Posted on 11/11/2009 9:27:53 AM PST by EternalVigilance
Montgomery County Council favors forcing crisis pregnancy centers to provide govt-approved message
by Steve Schulin, Maryland Independent Party
Maryland - Seven of the nine members of Montgomery County Council have co-sponsored a resolution which will require pregnancy centers to provide government-approved information. The proposal is characterized as a consumer protection measure to remedy, in the words of Council member Duchy Trachtenberg, the "misleading and medically inaccurate information that's being provided to young women at these centers".
The actual text of the resolution does not appear to be posted on the Council's web site yet, but here's how The Washington Post described it this morning: "A regulation proposed by Montgomery County officials Tuesday would require pregnancy centers run by abortion opponents to give women a disclaimer so they don't mistake the centers for medical clinics and so they understand the source of the information given to them. The centers can appear to be abortion clinics and often bill themselves as places to get information on the procedure, but they seek to dissuade women from ending their pregnancies."
The various press accounts also indicate that the crisis centers will be required to recommend to their customers that they consult with a health care provider before "making a decision".
In an article Sunday, The Washington Examiner cites Rockville Pregnancy Center Executive Director Gail Tierney as saying this type of legislation singles out anti-abortion pregnancy centers to score political points. "I just kind of find it strange as a medical clinic to make us list things we don't do," Tierney said. "It's like having Home Depot having to post a sign saying: We don't sell dresses."
The Washington Post article cites Jacqueline Stippich, executive director of the Shady Grove Pregnancy Center, as questioning the constitutionality of the regulations. "My question is, why are they singling us out?" she said. "Do you think it's constitutional for the government to single out one type of organization over another and to regulate what they are going to say?"
The proposal requires the government-mandated information to be provided in both English and Spanish language.
The resolution entails the Council acting as the County's Board of Health in this matter. A hearing on the proposal is scheduled for December 1 starting at 7:30 pm (Hearing re: "Board of Health Regulation requiring a disclaimer for certain pregnancy resource centers"). To sign up to testify at the hearing, you must call the Council in advance at 240-777-7803.
Among those who have said they support the resolution the Council will be considering are NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland, Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, the D.C. Abortion Fund (DCAF), Potomac Family Planning, NARAL Pro-Choice America, the National Abortion Federation and the National Institute for Reproductive Health. In addition, the measure is supported by Susan Wood, who is an associate professor of Health Policy and of Environmental and Occupational Health for the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services and the executive director of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health, and Terry O’Neill, president of the National Organization for Women.
Refs:
* Montgomery County Council current agenda (shows sheduled hearings, etc) -- http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/council/pdf/agenda/col/cu...
* Washington Examiner story, November 8, 2009 -- http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/MontCo-legislation-would-ta...
* Montgomery County Council press release, November 10, 2009 -- http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Apps/Council/PressRelease/PR_deta...
* Washington Post story, November 11, 2009 -- http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/10/AR2...
ping...
I'll tell you a true story. Several years ago, a 14 year old high school classmate of my daughter went to Planned Parenthood and got birth control pills. No one told her parents or her doctor. She had a reaction and was afraid to tell her parents what had happen. Her mother had to take her to the emergency room and spend several hours there. Only then did she find out her daughter had been taken had been taken the birth control pills. Unfortunately, the girl had a hormonal problem(I don't know the details). Her doctor said that the type of birth control pills they had given her were dangerous. Planned Parenthood took no responsibility.
It's simple: abortion is a cash cow. Providing more women with accurate information means that fewer "unwanted" pregnancies occur, and fewer abortions result. This means less income for the abortionist (who, coincidentally enough, probably donates generously to Democrat politicians), and less tax revenue for the government at all levels.
I recomend Pro Life Freepers who attend the next Council mtg do two things:
1) Ask for examples of misleading or inacurate information and ask who on the council has ever stepped foot inside a “Crisis Pregnancy Center”, where does their info come from?
2) Distribute Liturature from the CPC’s to the council and the audiance.
Expose that there is no factual basis and that they are mearly mouthing pro-abortion slogans.
Good ideas!
Except for my good old brother, of course!
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
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