By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Discovery of a grisly abortion business in West Philadelphia, now known as the “House of Horrors,” has prompted state lawmakers to pass a bill that will hold abortion clinics to the same safety standards that outpatient surgical centers must meet.
The House bill, known as HB574, was introduced by Republican Rep. Matt Baker, and was in direct response to the grand jury indictment against the Women’s Medical Society in West Philadelphia and Dr. Kermit Gosnell. Gosnell’s filthy clinic and the horrifying conditions there caused the death of at least two women during botched late-term abortions.
Other allegations against Gosnell’s clinic included babies being born alive then killed by having their spinal cords snipped by scissors; having medical procedure performed by untrained personnel; and the use of unsterilized tools that spread venereal disease from patient to patient.
Gosnell and several employees have been charged with murder and numerous other offenses. The grand jury additionally found that two state departments repeatedly ignored complaints about Gosnell and the clinic. Prosecutors said state regulators had inspected Gosnell’s clinic only three times since 1979.
HB574 passed 148-43 with a sometimes very emotional voting process. “I’ve listened to the debate of HB 574, sometimes with tears in my eyes,” said Democratic Representative Margo Davidson during the debate. “Mr. Speaker, I respect the sanctity of life, and I respect the sanctity of life of women. I am supporting HB 574 on behalf of my cousin who was killed at the Gosnell clinic.”
In addition to HB574, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed a bill that which will ensure that no taxpayer funds are used to subsidize abortion coverage in any federal healthcare plan. This bill is scheduled to go before the full Senate for a vote on May 23.
Civil liberties and abortion rights advocates have criticized the HB 574, saying it is a thinly veiled attempt at restricting abortions that will force abortion clinics to close because of the expense of meeting the new regulations. A similar bill in Texas caused 18 of 20 clinics to close their doors.
This would certainly come as good news to pro-life groups in the state.
“These two encouraging pieces of news in the ongoing battle to protect life are certainly victories in which we can find hope,” said Colin Hanna, President of the Pennsylvania Pastors’ Network and Let Freedom Ring.
“We applaud our representatives and senators who are willing to stand up for what’s right and for the wishes of the constituents in our state. We can only hope and pray that the passage of these two bills will truly change the way our state handles abortions—until the day when abortion is prohibited altogether.”
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