MEDIA ADVISORY: AUL Vice President of Government Affairs Dan McConchie to participate in Oklahoma News Conference Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (05/14/12) – Americans United for Life President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest said that the Monday ruling by an Oklahoma judge throwing out commonsense protections for women, protecting them from the dangers of off-label use of abortion-inducing drugs, “evidences the true war on women – a war that puts the agenda of the abortion industry ahead of the needs of women.” Dr. Yoest made her statement after Judge Donald Worthington overturned an Oklahoma law based on AUL model legislation that was enacted last year by an overwhelming majority of the Oklahoma Legislature.
In his ruling, the judge made a “groundbreaking” finding, according to the Associated Press, that the pro-life protections violate “the fundamental rights of women to privacy and bodily integrity, and therefore violate the state constitution.”
“It is unconscionable that the abortion industry would fight to reduce the protections women depend on when it comes to their health,” said Dr. Yoest. “AUL will stand with the courageous leaders in Oklahoma fighting to enact commonsense limits on abortion.”
The Oklahoma law, based on AUL model legislation, offered women real protections from an unscrupulous and profit-driven abortion industry by requiring that, when women are given abortion-inducing drugs, they be cared for by a doctor and that the drugs be given following FDA protocols. Women have died when given abortion-inducing drugs under unapproved protocols championed by the abortion industry.
“It is astounding that the judge would find that allowing abortion facilities to hand out sometimes deadly drugs without regard to the safest protocols is somehow a state constitutional right,” said Dr. Yoest. “Ironically, this isn’t a ‘right’ for women; it is a ‘right’ created for abortion providers, allowing them to perform abortions in any unsafe manner they desire.”
AUL worked closely with Oklahoma State Rep. Randy Grau and State Sen. Greg Treat to pass the law that protected women’s health. A news conference including state leaders along with AUL Vice President of Government Affairs Dan McConchie will be held at 11:30 Tuesday morning in Room 432B of the Oklahoma State Capitol.
