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.

[Gophack]

Thanks. Sitetest pointed out that I mis-read the information on Tiller's website, that he isn't the Medical Director at HCA. I apologize to all for any confusion.

I still hold that HCA has some explaining to do based on the review by St. Antoninus site that appears to have documented past and recent grants to Planned Parenthood from HCA.

I am willing to give Frist the benefit of the doubt, but I would like a better explanation about the company and their abortion connection. I am a little skeptical about Frist, particularly since Karl Rove loves him so much (Karl Rove, the same guy who tried to get Riordan in California into the Governor's office). If anyone else knows anything, please let me know. Thanks.

[Gophack]

This sounds pretty legit ... I'd be interested in your opinion. The Catholic Financial people didn't exclude many organizations, but it did exclude HCA. Here.

[DAnconia55]

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

Ross Perot elected the Clintons.

The people that voted for the Clintons (and the dead people too) elected the Clintons.

[Salvation]

Thanks for the ping!

[DAnconia55]

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.

Laws against murder aren't fundamentalist.

[Salvation]

**We fight for the unborn, the unwanted, the imperfect, the unconscious and the dying as if -- indeed -- all men were created equal and possessed of human dignity from the moment of conception to natural death.**

Well said.

[Gophack]

I did find one case where an HCA hospital worked to save a premature baby's life over the objection of her parents who would have left her to die. That is commendable. They were sued by the parents.

[mjaneangels@aolcom]

"Thanks. Sitetest pointed out that I mis-read the information on Tiller's website, that he isn't the Medical Director at HCA. I apologize to all for any confusion."

I saw that after I posted. Sorry.

[SoCar]

I saw "one note" Terry Jeffries blasting Frist for his less than stellar position on the only issue he cares about, abortion. Can we please face facts here, the country is not ready to outlaw abortion. Even if we overturn Roe vs. Wade, abortion in some form will remain legal in the vast majority of states. Most people believe in parental notification and PBA, but not a full ban. They understand that forcing women who are young, unstable, and possibly drug addicted, to carry their babies to term with neglect and no prenatal care is folly.

If you believe that all abortion is murder, you have to change people's minds before you can outlaw it. Most of the country does not believe that abortion in the first trimester is equivalent to murder. If all the pro-lifers here truly believed that they would not be for the rape and incest exceptions. I am sick of being told by my own party that people such as myself (and the vast majority) with nuanced positions on abortion are not fit to lead. I am disgusted with the litmus test of those like Jeffries. You can be far right on every other issue, taxes, immigration, affirmative action, hate crimes, defense, etc., but if your'e not 100% pro life, WATCH OUT!!

[sitetest]

Dear Gophack,

Your link didn't work for me.

:-(


sitetest

[justshe]

Howlin wrote: Don't you dare say I don't value human life. I have lost a child and you know it.

Askel responded: Everyone knows it.

Quit pulling out your personal sorrow as trump card.

---

What a low, contemptible thing to say to someone. You must be one bitter, lonely person to make this kind of attack.

I hope you find SOME shred of humanity left in you over the coming Christmas holiday. No one who has ever lost a child deserves your type of poison.

[carlo3b]

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

If you have a retirement plan that owns AT&T, that have phones in Abortion Clinics, should you be disqualified, or have to divest in your holdings? How about GM stock that have sold and continue to sell Chevy vans to Abortion Doctors....Krogers..Walgreens...Water companies...Pet shops...

[justshe]

Sorry....forgot to ping you to my response #571

[Howlin]

Ours is not some self-interested regard for ourselves or individuals that are known, loved and WANTED by us and whose lives necessarily enrich our own in some personal fashion.

No, yours is more like the zeal of the former smoker who now thinks EVERYONE should quit.

[auboy]

I still think the Jeffreys article is,to be kind, flawed. Old Terry can sell more papers if he sturs the pot. And they do love stew inside the Beltway. You give credence to his report, I do not. Terry is good at innuendo, short on connecting his dots. Afraid I feel the same about the sites you provided.

FoxNews reporting that Senator Frist will be elected Senate Majority Leader as early as next Monday. Frist is a good man - a man of conviction - a man of his word IMHO. Since you feel he should divest himself of his ownership in HCA, you should express your concerns directly.

Here is his contact info:

Washington, D.C. Office of Senator Bill Frist
416 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3344
202-228-1264 (fax)

Nashville: Office of Senator Bill Frist
28 White Bridge Road, Suite 211
Nashville, TN 37205
615-352-9411
615-352-9985 (fax)

E-mail contact can be made through his website: http://frist.senate.gov

With his new duties, he will be busier than ever. If he is the man I think he is, he will hear you out. Be civil;-)

[auboy]

You're obviously not from the state of Denial;-)

[auboy]

You're obviously not from the state of Denial;-)

[Salvation]

From the ACU website.

Senator Bill Frist (R)
Tennessee
Republican, Years of Service: 7

ACU Ratings for Senator Frist:
Year 2001	100
Year 2000	92
Lifetime	88

Senator Trent Lott (R)
Mississippi
Republican, Years of Service: 29

ACU Ratings for Senator Lott:
Year 2001	96
Year 2000	100
Lifetime	93

Senator Mitch Mcconnell (R)
Kentucky
Republican, Years of Service: 17

ACU Ratings for Senator Mcconnell:
Year 2001	96
Year 2000	100
Lifetime	89

Senator Don Nickles (R)
Oklahoma
Republican, Years of Service: 21

ACU Ratings for Senator Nickles:
Year 2001	92
Year 2000	100
Lifetime	96

Senator Rick Santorum (R)
Pennsylvania
Republican, Years of Service: 11

ACU Ratings for Senator Santorum:
Year 2001	100
Year 2000	100
Lifetime	86

[Amelia]

You are one sick cookie.

I sure hope that thinking you are so much more moral than everyone else gives you the same sense of satisfaction it gave the Pharisees.

[Barnacle]

Thanks. Merry Christmas to both of you.