Frist a Major Shareholder in Reputed For-Profit Abortion Provider

Human Events ^ | 12-20-02 | Terry Jeffrey

[The Old Hoosier]

Frist a Major Shareholder in Reputed For-Profit Abortion Provider
By Terence P. Jeffrey

Bill Frist (R.-Tenn.), reportedly the White House choice to succeed Trent Lott (R.-Miss.) as Senate majority leader, is a major shareholder in HCA, a for-profit hospital chain founded by his father and brother. HCA reportedly provides abortions to its customers.

So now Republicans face this question: If it is disqualifying for their Senate leader to make offensive remarks interpreted as endorsing an immoral policy that denied African-Americans equal rights, is it also disqualifying for their Senate leader to make money from a hospital chain that denies unborn babies the right to life?

Frist has deposited his major stockholdings in a "blind trust" chartered Dec. 28, 2000. A schedule of the original assets in this trust filed with the Senate showed holdings in 16 companies. Frist reported the value of these assets, as per Senate rules, within broad ranges (e.g. $1,001-$15,001). If the lowest possible value is assigned to each holding, Frist at that time had invested a minimum of $566,015 in 15 other companies, while investing at least $5,000,001 in HCA.

That would mean that approximately 89% of his holdings were in this company.

Furthermore, on its face, the trust agreement appears structured to allow the administrators to maintain this heavy concentration in HCA stock. It also specifically instructs the administrators to inform Frist if they divest entirely from any holding, including HCA. And, finally, it gives Frist the power to directly order the administrators to divest from HCA or any other holding that Frist determines "creates a conflict of interest or the appearance thereof."

HCA does not trumpet its reported involvement with abortion. But, in April, Catholic Financial Services Corporation (CFSC), a mutual fund company, announced that it was starting an S&P 500 Index Fund that would "exclude companies on the abortion issue"—and that HCA was one of only six companies on the index that would be excluded on these grounds. A spokesman for the mutual fund explained to me last week that the company excludes hospital chains that perform abortions and pharmaceutical companies that deal in drugs that induce abortion.

On December 18 and 19, I placed several calls to HCA corporate spokesman Jeff Prescott, to ask him directly whether abortions were performed in HCA facilities, or whether the company refuted CFSC’s determination that they were. I left him voice messages to this effect, and repeatedly told his secretary my questions. At 5:00 p.m. on the 19th, as press time approached, the secretary left me lingering on hold with no answer. When I hung up and called back, I got Prescott’s voice mail again and left him one last message. He never returned my call.

I also spoke with Sen. Frist’s spokesman, Nick Smith. I explained to Smith my understanding that the terms of Frist’s "blind" trust allowed the administrators to maintain a heavy concentration in HCA, while allowing Frist to order the sale of this stock, and while also compelling the administrators to inform Frist if they divested entirely from HCA or any other holding. I cited the specific passages in the trust to this effect. I also asked Smith to clarify Frist’s position on abortion—which has confounded pro-lifers over the years—and why Frist would not divest, since he apparently could, from a company that reportedly performs abortions.

When Frist first ran for the Senate in 1994, the Nashville Banner reported that he "frequently" said he "does not believe abortion should be outlawed." In a May 1994 radio interview, the Banner reported, Frist said, "It’s a very private decision." One of Frist’s Republican primary rivals, Steve Wilson, the Banner said, "demanded that Frist sell his millions of dollars in stock in the Hospital Corporation of America [HCA], which Frist’s family founded. Some of the hospitals in the chain perform abortions."

Tennessee Right to Life PAC Director Sherry Holden, however, told the Banner that Frist had told her organization he was pro-life. "He said he’s against abortion, period—no exceptions, except rape and incest," said Holden.

Yet, an Oct. 10, 1994, Memphis Commercial Appeal report on a debate between Frist and incumbent Sen. Jim Sasser (D.-Tenn.) said: "There were some topics on which the candidates agreed—both said they’re personally opposed to abortion but don’t think the government should prohibit abortions."

I asked Smith whether Frist wanted to prohibit abortion either by constitutional amendment or by over-turning Roe v. Wade and enacting prohibitions in the states, including Tennessee.

Smith responded by faxing me a statement. The White House, pro-life Republican senators, and their grassroots supporters can decide whether it is responsive:

"These two issues [the HCA investment and abortion] are separate and distinct," wrote Smith.

"On his own accord, by placing his assets in a federally qualified blind trust, Sen. Frist took a step above and beyond to ensure there is no conflict of interest," wrote Smith. "He believes this was the proper and responsible thing to do. He has never been employed by, or served on the board of, HCA or any of its hospitals.

"As a U.S. senator who acts on public policy each and every day, his record on abortion is clear," Smith continued. "He is opposed to abortion except in the instances of rape, incest and when the life of the mother is threatened. He is opposed to federal funding of abortion. And in the Senate, he led the fight against partial-birth abortion."

His Senate website includes a statement saying, "No one can deny the potential human cloning holds for increased scientific understanding. But . . . I am unable to find a compelling justification for allowing human cloning today."

As Bill Clinton might say, that doesn’t rule out tomorrow—when he may be Senate majority leader.

[Howlin]

Well, this didn't take long, did it?

[P-Marlowe]

Frist has deliberately chosen to live in a country in which Abortion is legal!!!!!!

Boy, we'd better not let anyone like that in the Senate, huh?

[america-rules]

The GOP eats its own face so it can't see the rest of it's body !

[relee]

...is a major shareholder in HCA, a for-profit hospital chain founded by his father and brother...

Imagine that, he has a share of the family business.

[Bella_Bru]

Imagine that, he has a share of the family business.

Just shocking I tell you.

[Howlin]

He must divest
to pass "our" test!

[Howlin]

ROFLMAO.

[dead]

My next door neighbor has a sister that knew a girl who had an abortion.

I guess I shouldn't hope to be majority leader either.

[Bella_Bru]

Well, I for one want every Senator and Representative whose health plan is connected to a hospital that provides abortions out now. < /single issue rant>

[Bella_Bru]

You're screwed.

[Howlin]

Well, thanks a damn lot. Now that WE'VE all read your posts about (you know), we can't be the leader either!

[P-Marlowe]

I think I once drank out of a water fountain that was connected to a building that was owned by a man who knew someone who hired a lawyer who thought that Roe v. Wade was actually a good judicial decision. Am I in trouble?

[Mister Magoo]

Chicago economist links abortion to falling crime rates
By Amy Rust
News Office


Presented at seminars at the University, Stanford and Harvard but not yet published, “Legalized Abortion and Crime,” Chicago economist Steven Levitt’s recent study that links the legalization of abortion to the country’s falling crime rate in the 1990s, already is receiving national attention.

The study, co-authored by Levitt, Professor in Economics at Chicago, and Stanford University’s John Donohue III, suggests legalized abortion may be responsible for approximately half of the crime rate’s recent fall.

According to the researchers, the decline of the U.S. crime rate may be the result of two mechanisms related to legalized abortion. First, following the Roe vs. Wade decision in 1973, more women at risk of having children who could later engage in criminal activity––teen-agers, those living in poverty or those with unwanted pregnancies, for example––opted for abortion. And second, improved maternal, familial or fetal circumstances may have led to better environments for raising children.

Levitt and Donohue stress that their findings do not carry an endorsement of abortion. “We do not take a position on abortion, and the study was not undertaken as a study of abortion, but crime,” said Levitt. “Neither is the study about race or class. Many studies have shown that children who are born unwanted have unsatisfactory outcomes, including involvement in crime.”

As evidence for their findings, the researchers point to data regarding the timing of the crime drop: the first generation of pregnancies terminated under legalized abortion would have otherwise resulted in children who reached the peak ages for criminal activity, 18 to 24, in the early 1990s. Increases in 1970s abortions by high-risk mothers may have lowered the number of potential criminals coming of age in the 1990s.

The study also reports that states such as California and New York, which legalized abortion before 1973, experienced a drop in their crime rates before the rest of the nation. Furthermore, empirical evidence suggests states with higher abortion rates have seen more dramatic decreases in crime since 1985, and those drops in crime have been concentrated among individuals under age 25 in 1997––precisely the group possibly affected by abortion legalization in 1973.

While many explanations have been given for the dramatic decline of crime during this past decade, the authors maintain in a study abstract that “each of them has difficulty explaining the timing, large magnitude, persistence and widespread nature of the drop.” The researchers also predict crime rates will continue to fall slowly for 15 to 20 more years as the full effects of legalized abortion continue.

“A better understanding of the reasons for declines in crime helps policymakers as they formulate programs to reduce crime. For instance, with lower future crime rates, there may be less need to build prisons,” Levitt said.

[Bella_Bru]

P-Marlowe, you cannot even be a dogcather now.

[The Old Hoosier]

Should Republicans in the Senate be led by a man who profits from abortions? I think that's something conservatives should seriously consider.

[goody2shooz]

As a doctor he probably believes abortion should be legal and rare. There are reasons for abortions - namely to save a woman's life.

My sister had four tubal pregnancies before having a normal pregnancy. These would have killed the babies and her for sure. Talk about crying an ocean of tears!

I would prefer abortions performed solely in reputable hospitals for valid therapeutic reasons, where a doctor can make a descision based on medical necessity, rather than in abortion clinics where it is the only procedure and done for pure profit.

[The Old Hoosier]

Should Republicans in the Senate be led by a man who profits from abortions? I think that's something conservatives should seriously consider.

[The Old Hoosier]

Should Republicans in the Senate be led by a man who profits from abortions? I think that's something conservatives should seriously consider.

[Salvation]

BTTT!

[deport]

..Well, this didn't take long, did it?....

---

Howlin this is the results of not slapping the last bunch of racist pimps down and telling them to go fly a kite. They were left to run free. It is gonna be like this till Bush and a few others get some stones and decide to step up to the plate. imo.

[The Old Hoosier]

Ping

[Bella_Bru]

Should you consider trying any harder to not be a single issue voter? His FATHER and BROTHER started the company. If you are going to hold each and every person in Congress accountable to their families, you'd better be ready to oust many of them.

[Salvation]

Meet Bill Frist: Senator championed confirmation of pro-abortion Satcher

[koax]

i'm so tired of one-issue politics, and black and white thinking.

that's what elected the clintons. the pat robertsons and jerry falwells stayed home and didn't vote for bush senior.

[The Old Hoosier]

He makes millions of dollars off of this. It has nothing to do with his family. If he's seriously pro-life, as he claims to be, then he should. If not, then he's a liar. Take your pick.

[The Old Hoosier]

Ross Perot elected the Clintons.

[The Old Hoosier]

What I meant to say is, "he should divest."

[beckett]

A shameless, slimy hit piece, and I say this as a longtime, vocal opponent of abortion.

[The Old Hoosier]

How is this a slimy hit piece? Where is it wrong? The man is an abortion profiteer.

[P-Marlowe]

I bet I can prove that you somehow profit from abortions.

I think if you want to prove that Frist will be worse for the Pro-Life agenda that Lott has been, then you are going to have to do better than this. Lott has done nothing to advance the pro-life cause. He couldn't hold a Majority in the senate long enough to get a single pro-life judge appointed to even a Federal Magistrate position.

The battle for abortion can only be fought in the courts. Lott's record in getting conservative judges on the bench appears to be a big fat zero.

[Salvation]

**Should Republicans in the Senate be led by a man who profits from abortions?**

Plain and simple and loud. NO!

[Maynerd]

"Frist a Major Shareholder in Reputed For-Profit Abortion Provider "

Oh please. Give us an effing break. Is this author a refugee from the Buchanan Brigades ?

[Bella_Bru]

Buchanan Brigades

You can smell 'em a mile away.

[koax]

ross did his part, but many of the christian righteous stayed home because they were pissed at bush.

[PianoMan]

Boy, the one-issue pro-lifers sure have a rapid response team!

[Mo1]

No it didn't

[truth_seeker]

So what is the big deal? Now that the media has conspired with the clever dems to destroy Lott, it appears to be time for single-issue interests to smear another Republican.

Frist is the choice of the White House, for SML. That is good enough for me. What motivates an article such as this?

Just as I oppose islamist-mullah-dictatorships, run by sharia law, I would suppose it should be okay to oppose running the USA under fundamentalist Christian laws, too.

[The Old Hoosier]

Lott is worthless. No argument there.

But there is a big difference between material cooperation in evil--which everyone does without knowing it--and doing what Frist does, which is to knowingly keep stock that helps him profit from abortion.

If you believe that Clinton was bad just because of his total shallowness and lack of character, then you should have some questions about a senator who makes money off abortions and claims to be pro-life, in spite of his own statements during his 1994 election campaign.

[BillyBoy]

All this "Frist is pro-abortion" revisionist stuff is being delibrately put out by Lott supporters as a last ditch effort to save their guy. Frist's record speaks for itself. 100% rating from National Right to Life, which places him a lot higher on their list than other conservative icons like Fred Thompson and Sam Brownback. Zell Miller, incidentally, is 100% pro-abortion, but that doesn't stop a ton of freepers from fawning over that guy's "leadership" and talking about how he's such a "conservative" Democrat.

If Frist is leader, he's push hard to begin restricting abortion, starting with partial-birth; and for solidly pro-life judges to get on the courts (this is more than I can say for other "pro-life" Republicans like the Sununu's) Lott is in such a weakened position that it'd be almost impossible for a solidly pro-life judge to win with his support, such as Judge Pickering.

Anyone who belives Frist is pro-abortion must be delusional. I'll be more than happy to oppose a pro-abortion Republican for the Leadership, but it doesn't look like Olympia Snowe will throw her hat into the ring anytime soon.

[TLBSHOW]

You will owe me an apology when this is all said and done. You know what I think about death.

[relee]

Look here for a list of hospitals run/owned by HCA. They look like serious hospitals and not a chain of abortion mills.

[Howlin]

What I meant to say is, "he should divest."

You are kidding, right?

[Willie Green]

Well, this didn't take long, did it?

You're not surprised, are you?

[The Old Hoosier]

Actually, I'm more surprised by the overwhelming pro-Frist response. I'm a strong Bush supporter, as my posts will prove, but I don't like unthinkingly following the party when there's a chance to influence it and lead it in a better direction, like McConnell.

Do all the RINOs come out at night here or something?

[beckett]

How is this a slimy hit piece? Where is it wrong? The man is an abortion profiteer.

The author employs several journalistic sleights-of-hand --- it is slimy. I'm not going to waste my time parsing it all out for you. Believe it all if you like.

This kind of attack piece while the party is looking to resolve a deepening crisis with Lott is extremely petty and counter-productive.

[Howlin]

I will never, ever owe you an apology.

[Howlin]

Heck, no. I knew it would be some conservative that came after him, "him" being whoever takes Lott's place.

So fitting that it's a conservative, don't you think?

[Bella_Bru]

I've been to Good Samaritan in San Jose. And I paid my bill.