“The tremendous gains made at the state, federal and judicial levels in
2011 are only the beginning,” said Dr. Yoest.
“As a former leader within Planned Parenthood, I know just how powerful changes in law and public policy can be,” said Johnson. “At AUL we will continue to expose Planned Parenthood. The American taxpayer should no longer be forced to subsidize the nation’s largest abortion provider. I realize the stakes; I worked there.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. (01-23-12) – Americans United for Life President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest and well-known former Planned Parenthood clinic director Abby Johnson joined forces during Monday’s March for Life, walking together along with thousands to celebrate the hope of a nation in which everyone is welcomed in life and protected in law.
Johnson recently joined AUL as a Senior Policy Advisor, helping to refine and advocate for pro-life public policy at the state level. While at Planned Parenthood, Johnson was a clinic director in the fourth largest Planned Parenthood affiliate in the United States.
“At this critical juncture, AUL’s focus on crafting constitutionally sound and cutting edge model legislation is paving the way for an even better 2012,” said Dr. Yoest. In 2011, 47 states considered more than 460 measures related to abortion and the overwhelming majority of these measures were life-affirming. As a result, more than 70 life-affirming, abortion-related measures were enacted.
Yoest noted that AUL legislative involvement was significant. During the 2011 state legislative session:
At least 86 bills were introduced in 32 states that were based in whole or in part on AUL’s model language and/or on which AUL consulted and advised.
- AUL’s experts testified 21 times, supporting 20 pro-life bills and opposing legislation in Hawaii that would have compromised healthcare freedom of conscience.
- AUL distributed more than 1,600 copies of our model legislation (with accompanying policy guides) to individuals in 47 states, the District of Columbia, and overseas nations.
“In the pro-life family, we are also helping women understand how many choices they really have,” said Johnson. “I saw firsthand the devastation in the lives of women who did not realize how many people were ready to lend a helping hand. And I believe 2012 will provide even more protections for women who need good medical information and loving support when facing an abortion decision. Planned Parenthood takes more than $360 million from the pockets of hardworking Americans to support their profitable industry. It is time for a thorough investigation of Planned Parenthood so that women and girls will be protected and lives can be saved.”
Media Advisory: Dr. Yoest and Ms. Johnson are available for interview by contacting [email protected]
Leading up to the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, AUL released two major reports detailing how life was protected in law and advanced in public policy debates.
AUL released its seventh annual “Life List” – a ranking of all 50 states based on the way each addresses a comprehensive list of life issues – from abortion to euthanasia. For the second time in three years, Louisiana tops the list, followed closely by Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Nebraska and Arkansas. To read more click here.
