Pro-life leaders warn HHS of how the abortion industry is exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic

In a letter signed by pro-life leaders, including Live Action founder and president Lila Rose, the Susan B. Anthony List is urging Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to ensure that emergency response funds for the COVID-19 outbreak are not inappropriately given to the abortion industry. The letter also expresses concern that the abortion industry’s decision to remain in operation as “essential,” even though abortion is never medically necessary, deliberately kills human beings, keeps desperately needed medical supplies from medical teams responding to the pandemic, and can add additional demand to the already overstrained medical system due to potential abortion complications requiring urgent treatment.

The letter opens, “As our country comes together to battle the threat of COVID-19 (coronavirus), Americans are heroically rising to the challenge of social distancing and helping the vulnerable. Aware of the importance not only of such practices as donating personal protective equipment to medical personnel, each of us is responding to the call to examine how we can lessen demands on our health care system for equipment and services needed by those who are ill or at increased risk.”

The letter then points out a notable exception to American’s sacrifices and donation of medical equipment: the abortion industry, which refuses to halt surgical abortions and is demanding the increased use of dangerous abortion pills.

In particular, the letter calls out abortion industry-leader Planned Parenthood, stating, “As an organization responsible for nearly 346,000 abortions in the last reporting year, including both surgical and medical procedures carried out in many locations all the way to 24 weeks of pregnancy, Planned Parenthood is uniquely positioned to change course, freeing up personnel and equipment to combat the coronavirus.” Despite this, Planned Parenthood has kept locations open across the U.S., continuing to commit abortions that can result in potentially life-threatening complications. Women experiencing complications from either surgical abortions or the abortion pill must visit already overtaxed emergency rooms.

READ: Abortion industry attempts to capitalize on COVID-19 pandemic to expand abortion

Abortion Procedures: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Trimesters

The pro-life groups signing the letter urge Secretary Azar to ensure that no emergency response funds end up in the abortion industry, to urge the abortion industry to halt procedures and to donate medical supplies to those saving lives during the pandemic, and to prevent the expansion of dangerous at-home medication abortions. Additionally, the letter asks the Department of Health and Human Services to promote medically accurate information, especially to pregnant mothers, during a time when the abortion industry is exploiting the current crisis to push for expanded abortion. SBA List’s press release notes (emphasis original):

The letter was signed more than 50 pro-life leaders, including Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of SBA List; Chuck Donovan, President of Charlotte Lozier Institute; Brad Mattes, President of Life Issues Institute; Carol Tobias, President of National Right to Life; Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council; Greg Schleppenbach, Associate Director of USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities; Penny Young Nance, President of Concerned Women for America LAC; Donna Harrison M.D., Executive Director of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life; Kristan Hawkins, President of Students for Life America; Lila Rose, President of Live Action; Jeanne Mancini, President of March for Life; Russell Moore, President of Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission; and Jessica Anderson, Vice President of Heritage Action, among others.

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