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Filed: Timeline
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A proposed bill promising major changes in the U.S. abortion landscape has Roman Catholic bishops threatening to close Catholic hospitals if the Democratic Congress and White House make it law.

The Freedom of Choice Act failed to get out of subcommittee in 2004, but its sponsor is poised to refile it now that former Senate co-sponsor Barack Obama occupies the Oval Office.

A spokesman for Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., said the legislation "is among the congressman's priorities. We expect to reintroduce it sooner rather than later."

FOCA, as the bill is known, would make federal law out of the abortion protections established in 1973 by the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe vs. Wade ruling.

The legislation has some Roman Catholic bishops threatening to shutter the country's 624 Catholic hospitals — including 11 in the Archdiocese of St. Louis — rather than comply.

Speaking in Baltimore in November at the bishops' fall meeting, Bishop Thomas Paprocki, a Chicago auxiliary bishop, took up the issue of what to do with Catholic hospitals if FOCA became law. "It would not be sufficient to withdraw our sponsorship or to sell them to someone who would perform abortions," he said. "That would be a morally unacceptable cooperation in evil."

But even within the Catholic community, there is disagreement about the effects FOCA might have on hospitals, with some health care professionals and bishops saying a strategy of ignoring the law, if it passes, would be more effective than closing hospitals.

Ilan Kayatsky, Nadler's spokesman, said he anticipates that the bill's other original sponsor, Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., will introduce FOCA in the U.S. Senate. "We expect it to be more or less the same bill with some minor tweaks," Kayatsky said.

Boxer's office declined to comment.

Rep. William Lacy Clay, a Roman Catholic, and Rep. Russ Carnahan — both St. Louis Democrats — were co-sponsors of the legislation. Neither responded to requests for an interview. Bishop Robert Hermann, acting head of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, was unavailable for comment.

In its last incarnation, FOCA defined abortion as a "fundamental right" that no government can "deny" or "interfere with." That language, FOCA's opponents warn, would help overturn abortion restrictions such as parental notification, laws banning certain procedures and constraints on federal funding.

Some abortion rights groups say a friendlier Congress and White House makes FOCA less of a priority for them, and they say religious conservatives who oppose abortion rights are using FOCA as a scare tactic.

"Anti-choice groups know that there are not enough votes to move the Freedom of Choice Act, yet they continue to engage in a divisive campaign demonizing FOCA to distract the public from their opposition to birth control and accurate sex education," said Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America.

The nation's Catholic bishops have been among the most vocal opponents of FOCA and Obama's abortion-rights positions. In the days before the November elections, one called Obama "the most committed" abortion-rights supporter to head a presidential ticket since Roe. Obama had promised during his campaign he would sign FOCA if he were elected.

Along with the 11 Catholic hospitals within the Archdiocese of St. Louis, the Catholic Health Association of the United States says there are another seven in the St. Louis area within the borders of the Belleville and Springfield, Ill., dioceses.

According to the CHA, Catholic hospitals make up 13 percent of the country's nearly 5,000 hospitals, and employ more than 600,000 people. CHA says one of every six Americans hospitalized in the United States is cared for in a Catholic hospital.

Not all bishops or Catholic health care professionals see closing down hospitals as a realistic option. Bishop Robert Lynch of St. Petersburg, Fla., a member of CHA's board of trustees, wrote on his blog last month that "even in the worst-case scenario, Catholic hospitals will not close. We will not comply, but we will not close." Instead, he advocated a strategy of "civil disobedience."

Sister Carol Keehan, president and CEO of CHA, said in an interview that she did not believe the language in the most recent version of FOCA — despite its definition of abortion as a fundamental right — would force Catholic hospitals to perform abortions. But she also said that if it did, the church would look to the historical example of racial segregation as a model for civil disobedience.

"From the other side we hear consistent talk about being pro-choice," Keehan said. "If FOCA passes, the concept of being pro-choice will not be incompatible with our position — our choice would be not to participate."

Seven of the 11 hospitals in the Archdiocese of St. Louis are run by SSM Healthcare. In a statement, the company said it opposes FOCA "because it attempts to increase access to abortion and remove restrictions to abortion."

If FOCA were to become law, it continued, "We do not believe our Catholic hospitals would be forced to participate and we would advocate strongly for our right of conscience to refuse to provide abortion services."

While the Catholic Church has been most vocal on the FOCA issue, it's not alone. As Obama prepared to take the oath of office in January, the National Right to Life Committee warned its members that congressional Democrats were poised to work with the new president "to push an expansive pro-abortion agenda."

"The pro-life movement," the organization declared in its monthly newspaper, "is bracing for battle."

Pam Fichter, president of Missouri Right to Life, called FOCA "a top priority" for her group, which is working to pass a resolution in both houses of the Missouri Legislature that urges Congress to reject FOCA. The resolution has passed the Missouri House and is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate, and Missouri Right to Life is holding its Pro-Life Action Day in Jefferson City on Tuesday .

FOCA opponents have been discouraged by two moves made by Obama's administration in recent weeks. In January, the administration repealed a Bush policy that restricted federal dollars for international groups that perform or promote abortion overseas.

And this week, Obama nominated Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Sebelius is a Roman Catholic who has been chastised by Kansas City, Kan., Archbishop Joseph Naumann for her positions supporting abortion rights. Naumann called Sebelius' nomination this week "troubling."

After Sebelius' nomination, HHS hinted that it would soon repeal another Bush administration rule — enacted in December — that allowed health care professionals to opt out of providing abortion or birth control procedures on moral grounds.

In order to combat what its sees as inevitable, the Catholic Church launched a "Fight FOCA" postcard campaign aimed at Congress in January. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo., who participated in an anti-FOCA rally last month at St. Anthony's Catholic School in Sullivan, said he has received "thousands" of postcards over the last month including "a stack 2 feet high" Wednesday.

"People have worked 30-some years to protect the rights of the unborn and FOCA would undo many of their efforts," Luetkemeyer said.

Keehan said shutting down Catholic hospitals would tear the fabric of the American health care system.

"Catholic health care plays such an important role in communities across this nation," she said, that Americans are "not going to sacrifice their health care facility, which employs so many, cares for so many, and has been part of their community for many years by forcing them to do abortions."

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stor...57?OpenDocument

Freedom of Choice Act

This is language excerpted from the bill introduced in the 110th Congress, which died in subcommittee. Its sponsor says he will refile the bill this session.

— a. Statement of Policy — It is the policy of the United States that every woman has the fundamental right to choose to bear a child, to terminate a pregnancy prior to fetal viability or to terminate a pregnancy after fetal viability when necessary to protect the life or health of the woman.

— b. Prohibition of Interference — A government may not deny or interfere with a woman's right to choose to bear a child; terminate a pregnancy prior to viability; or terminate a pregnancy after viability where termination is necessary to protect the life or health of the woman.

— c. Civil Action — An individual aggrieved by a violation of this section may obtain appropriate relief (including relief against a government) in a civil action.

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline
Posted

In California minors can get abortions, but they can't see R rated movies, can't drink beer, can't drive and can't get out of school early without parental consent.

Haha.... wondering how that makes any sense but it is true. A 14 year old with braces still on her teeth wants an abortion, she can have it in the morning and return home that afternoon without her parents ever knowing and it is legal!!!! WOW!!! A surgery on a minor is okay as long as it is an abortion, but she can't have a tooth pulled by her dentist without parental consent. WOW AGAIN!!!!

Posted
In California minors can get abortions, but they can't see R rated movies, can't drink beer, can't drive and can't get out of school early without parental consent.

Haha.... wondering how that makes any sense but it is true. A 14 year old with braces still on her teeth wants an abortion, she can have it in the morning and return home that afternoon without her parents ever knowing and it is legal!!!! WOW!!! A surgery on a minor is okay as long as it is an abortion, but she can't have a tooth pulled by her dentist without parental consent. WOW AGAIN!!!!

:rofl:

I'm immune with weirdos.

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Russia
Timeline
Posted
In California minors can get abortions, but they can't see R rated movies, can't drink beer, can't drive and can't get out of school early without parental consent.

Haha.... wondering how that makes any sense but it is true. A 14 year old with braces still on her teeth wants an abortion, she can have it in the morning and return home that afternoon without her parents ever knowing and it is legal!!!! WOW!!! A surgery on a minor is okay as long as it is an abortion, but she can't have a tooth pulled by her dentist without parental consent. WOW AGAIN!!!!

Nor her ears pierced or a tattoo.

They can shut down their hospitals. :clock: We'll see the effect. :bonk:

If the numbers quoted in the story are anywhere close to being true..... you are right we will see the effect.

<<<Catholic hospitals make up 13 percent of the country's nearly 5,000 hospitals, and employ more than 600,000 people.>>>

type2homophobia_zpsf8eddc83.jpg




"Those people who will not be governed by God


will be ruled by tyrants."



William Penn

Posted
In California minors can get abortions, but they can't see R rated movies, can't drink beer, can't drive and can't get out of school early without parental consent.

Haha.... wondering how that makes any sense but it is true. A 14 year old with braces still on her teeth wants an abortion, she can have it in the morning and return home that afternoon without her parents ever knowing and it is legal!!!! WOW!!! A surgery on a minor is okay as long as it is an abortion, but she can't have a tooth pulled by her dentist without parental consent. WOW AGAIN!!!!

It's Obama's fault.

R.I.P Spooky 2004-2015

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Colombia
Timeline
Posted

Practically all hospitals in WI are part of the ministry heath care, all Catholic, none of them perform abortions. But a hospital actually doesn't perform abortions, a doctor does, so are they going to throw a doctor in jail if he refuses to do so? They do however perform D&C's in cases of rape or underage sex. We only had one doctor in Madison, that would perform a trimester, but he retired, nobody took his place.

They will however give prescriptions for birth control pills or devices. I really do not know what they do if the mother is a drug addict, could ask. Roe versus Roe was only another infamous 5-4 decision, they should be looking into that. Plus the motivation for a 14 year old illegal to have a USC kid. Heard if another case where a young illegal was staying with her uncle and he knocked her up, but didn't hear the follow through. But these are the problems that should be addressed.

Filed: Timeline
Posted
Practically all hospitals in WI are part of the ministry heath care, all Catholic, none of them perform abortions. But a hospital actually doesn't perform abortions, a doctor does, so are they going to throw a doctor in jail if he refuses to do so? They do however perform D&C's in cases of rape or underage sex. We only had one doctor in Madison, that would perform a trimester, but he retired, nobody took his place.

They will however give prescriptions for birth control pills or devices. I really do not know what they do if the mother is a drug addict, could ask. Roe versus Roe was only another infamous 5-4 decision, they should be looking into that. Plus the motivation for a 14 year old illegal to have a USC kid. Heard if another case where a young illegal was staying with her uncle and he knocked her up, but didn't hear the follow through. But these are the problems that should be addressed.

Actually, Roe v. Wade was a 7-2 majority decision. Certain tenants of the decision changed under the Casey decision (moving from the trimester test to the Undue Burden test). Though you are correct that the make up of the Court today would make it a closer decision.

Here are some considerations one might contemplate when thinking about the effects this will have....

The majority of women who will be adversely affected by the decision to close hospitals are either poor, young, minority or some combination of the three. They cannot afford to travel to another state (or another country) to get treatment.

Alas, abortion is one of those issues where people are absolute in their convictions and it's likely impossible to get agreement from all sides (or even some of the sides) - the Supreme Court often notes this unhappy situation.

It's a great shame too that the issue has become so politicized in this country.

Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Egypt
Timeline
Posted
In California minors can get abortions, but they can't see R rated movies, can't drink beer, can't drive and can't get out of school early without parental consent.

Haha.... wondering how that makes any sense but it is true. A 14 year old with braces still on her teeth wants an abortion, she can have it in the morning and return home that afternoon without her parents ever knowing and it is legal!!!! WOW!!! A surgery on a minor is okay as long as it is an abortion, but she can't have a tooth pulled by her dentist without parental consent. WOW AGAIN!!!!

It's Obama's fault.

:P

Don't just open your mouth and prove yourself a fool....put it in writing.

It gets harder the more you know. Because the more you find out, the uglier everything seems.

kodasmall3.jpg

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Argentina
Timeline
Posted
Well then, why not start a non-religious hospital.

There should be places for both, and religious hospitals should not be obligated to perform abortions.

Fight FOCA! :angry:

Saludos,

Caro

***Justin And Caro***
Happily married and enjoying our life together!

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Colombia
Timeline
Posted

Checking my dating record banks, only dated two woman that had abortions, that were confessed to me with major tears. One was botched up and she could no longer have children. Not good for a guy that wanted kids, the other became very frigid, isn't sex suppose to be a part of marriage? But both had deep guilt complexes, a bit more than I was prepared to deal with. Some reading on this subject, these are common problems, and those that do not have these problems aren't very good wife potential either.

Just a lot more than legal affairs to deal with abortions and I am not referring to nine year old girls that were raped. Sexual abuse is also a major problem that affects a person for life, but really don't want to go into that. Can certainly run into a bunch of weirdos that either made poor choices or were victims and we sure don't need laws that augment this kind of behavior regardless of religious beliefs, that is only secondary. With little thought about sexual freedom, I killed my own baby is not easy to deal with.

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Russia
Timeline
Posted

It's a pity that "pro-choice" politicians will not give Doctors and private Hospitals freedom of choice in this matter.

These totalitarian laws (thats what they are), tend to harm the very people they want to help.

Consider the Adoption laws in Mass, I think it was, it forced a new law with no exemption for faith based agencies to place children with Homosexual couples. The end result was the Catholic agencies closing their doors to this important work after years and years of wonderful service.

These people refuse tolerance in their laws, even at the expense of the children.

type2homophobia_zpsf8eddc83.jpg




"Those people who will not be governed by God


will be ruled by tyrants."



William Penn

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Colombia
Timeline
Posted
Well then, why not start a non-religious hospital.

Exactly. Heck if the Church wants to close its hospitals let them. The real estate will be bought likely (at this economy's lower prices) by non-imposing organizations, and reemploy those medical staff willing to provide health care without imposing their views unto their patients.

It's a pity that "pro-choice" politicians will not give Doctors and private Hospitals freedom of choice in this matter.

These totalitarian laws (thats what they are), tend to harm the very people they want to help.

Consider the Adoption laws in Mass, I think it was, it forced a new law with no exemption for faith based agencies to place children with Homosexual couples. The end result was the Catholic agencies closing their doors to this important work after years and years of wonderful service.

These people refuse tolerance in their laws, even at the expense of the children.

Totalitarian and intolerant. Is that like limiting freedom of choice Danno or is that just you making things up aligned with your particular limitation to understand choice is a woman's right and not yours to impose?

Wishing you ten-fold that which you wish upon all others.

 

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