Following a 12 day trial, a district court in the state of Washington has issued a resounding decision supporting the conscience rights of pharmacists and pharmacies. The case, Stormans v. Selecky, began after the Washington Board of Pharmacy (“Board”) issued new regulations requiring pharmacies to dispense life-ending “emergency contraception” (both Plan B and ella) regardless […]
Majority of Americans support basic abortion restrictions, but conscience protections misunderstood
On Monday, Gallup published the results of a recent poll demonstrating that “[l]arge majorities of Americans favor the broad intent of several types of abortion restriction laws that are now common in many states, but have mixed or negative reactions to others.” On one level, the results affirmed what AUL has been saying for years: […]
AUL Files Testimony in Support of Washington Pharmacists
Americans United for Life has filed written testimony with the Washington Board of Pharmacy in support of pharmacist freedom of conscience. The Board of Pharmacy is reconsidering rules promulgated in 2007 that require pharmacists to fill prescriptions for “emergency contraception” without regard for conscientious objections. In its testimony, AUL argues that freedom of conscience is […]
Idaho Acts to Protect Conscience
Idaho has become the third state to provide comprehensive protection for health care freedom of conscience. Governor Butch Otter has permitted Senate Bill 1353 to go into effect without his signature. AUL worked with Idaho Chooses Life, a state pro-life policy group, to help enact this important legislation. The new law protects any licensed health […]
Drastic Reduction of Abortions in Michigan Demonstrate the Importance of Incremental Protections
As life-affirming laws in Michigan increase, the abortion rates in Michigan continue to plummet. Michigan state health officials announced last week that the abortion rate in the state have dropped to a record low since record-keeping began in 1979. The current abortion rate shows a 50% drop since the peak in 1987, and a 3.7% […]
Court Watch: Implications of California Supreme Court’s Marriage Decision
In its controversial 4-3 decision on marriage, the California Supreme Court also decided, for the first time anywhere in the United States, that as a matter of state constitutional law, sexual orientation is a “suspect classification” deserving of heightened protection. The legal repercussions of this case are yet to be known. However, we may soon […]
Contemporary Threats To Healthcare Freedom of Conscience
By Denise M. Burke, AUL Vice President & Legal Director Over the last few decades, abortion advocates and others have launched a concerted campaign to force hospitals, healthcare institutions, health insurers, and individual healthcare providers to provide, refer for, or pay for elective abortions, abortifacient drugs, contraceptives, assisted reproductive procedures such as in vitro fertilization, […]
Oklahoma Legislature Overrides Governor’s Veto
AUL’s Oklahoma State Network Affiliate, Maressa Treat sends the following message about activity in her state. Last night Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry vetoed SB 1878, an omnibus pro-life bill, but today pro-life legislators came together and overrode the veto! The Oklahoma State Senate voted at 11:00 am to override Governor Henry’s veto, 37-11. And thirty […]
Pro-Life Legislation Passes Oklahoma Senate
Maressa Treat, AUL’s liaison in Oklahoma, has worked with a coalition of pro-life groups and individuals to pass Senate Bill 1878, a sweeping piece of pro-life legislation. The bill now awaits the Governor Brad Henry’s signature. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oklahoma State Senate Senator Todd Lamb, R-Edmond Pro-Life Legislation Passes Senate State Capitol, Oklahoma City – […]
NY Parental Rights Group Releases TV Commercial against the NY FOCA
New Yorkers for Parental Rights (NYPR) (http://www.nyfpr.com/) have been spearheading the efforts in opposition to ex-Governor Spitzer’s radical abortion bill, “The Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act” (RHAPP), also known as the NY “Freedom of Choice Act” (FOCA). The group has posted anti-RHAPP billboards on 14 major roadways around the State of NY, and released […]
Rights of Conscience and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience . . . Article 18. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes . . . freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, […]
The 2008 Presidential Election
As the 2008 Presidential Election approaches, we find ourselves struggling to determine which presidential candidate will best serve our country and hold fast to the principles and values we hold dear. One factor of increasing importance in this determination is a candidate’s position on abortion and life issues. How important is it for the pro-life […]
Victory: Federal Court Dismisses Challenge to Hyde-Weldon Amendment
On March 18, the Northern District of California dismissed the State’s challenge to the federal Hyde-Weldon Amendment. In the case State of California v. United States, the court granted summary judgment to the federal government. The Hyde-Weldon Amendment prohibits federal funds from being used by any state or local government that forces healthcare providers to […]
Illinois Rights of Conscience Case Heard by Supreme Court
Yesterday, AUL-allied attorney Mark Rienzi argued before the Illinois Supreme Court on behalf of pharmacists Luke and Joan Vander Bleek regarding Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s rule mandating that pharmacies in the state must dispense Plan B (the morning-after pill) or risk revocation of their license. The Vander Bleeks own three pharmacies in rural Illinois and […]
HHS Secretary Calls on Certification Group to Protect Conscience Rights
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, March 14, 2008 Contact: HHS Press Office (202) 690-6343 HHS Secretary Calls on Certification Group to Protect Conscience Rights Unless changes are made, physicians could be forced to refer patients for abortions even if it violates their conscience Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt today expressed disappointment in a new […]
Members of Congress Express Grave Concern over ACOG Policy Threatening Freedom of Conscience
Congress of the United States Washington, DC 20515 March 14, 2008 Kenneth L. Noller, MD, MS, President The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology 409 12th Street, SW Washington, DC 20090-6920 Dear Dr. Noller, We are deeply concerned to learn of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology (ACOG) Committee Opinion #385 which could destroy […]
