White House to Enforce Abortion-Fetus Law

[gilliam]

Something else the Dems would never do:

The Bush administration said Friday that it would enforce a nearly 3-year-old federal law that requires doctors to attempt to keep alive a fetus that survives an abortion. In making the announcement, the Department of Health and Human Services Department said it was an attempt to educate the public about the little-known law. Officials said they didn’t know how often a fetus survives an abortion and would not say whether there have been any complaints about a lack of enforcement.

“As a matter of law and policy, the (department) will investigate all circumstances where individuals and entities are reported to be withholding medical care from an infant born alive in potential violation of federal statutes for which we are responsible,” HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said in a statement.

“We will also take proactive steps to educate state officials, health care providers, hospitals and child protection agencies about their obligation to born-alive infants under federal law,” Leavitt said.

The Born-Alive Infant Protection Act of 2002 amends the legal definitions of “person,” “human being,” “child” and “individual” to include any fetus that survives an abortion procedure. Those who meet the definition of “individual” are entitled to certain protections under federal law. In particular, hospitals can’t refuse to treat them. HHS spokesman Kevin Keane said the department’s action was not politically motivated. He said Leavitt had been asked about the issue at his confirmation hearing.

story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=544&ncid=703&e=3&u=/ap/20050422/ap_on_go_pr_wh/abortion_fetus

 

[gnjsdad]

gilliam:

Something else the Dems would never do:

The Bush administration said Friday that it would enforce a nearly 3-year-old federal law that requires doctors to attempt to keep alive a fetus that survives an abortion. In making the announcement, the Department of Health and Human Services Department said it was an attempt to educate the public about the little-known law. Officials said they didn’t know how often a fetus survives an abortion and would not say whether there have been any complaints about a lack of enforcement.

“As a matter of law and policy, the (department) will investigate all circumstances where individuals and entities are reported to be withholding medical care from an infant born alive in potential violation of federal statutes for which we are responsible,” HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said in a statement.

“We will also take proactive steps to educate state officials, health care providers, hospitals and child protection agencies about their obligation to born-alive infants under federal law,” Leavitt said.

The Born-Alive Infant Protection Act of 2002 amends the legal definitions of “person,” “human being,” “child” and “individual” to include any fetus that survives an abortion procedure. Those who meet the definition of “individual” are entitled to certain protections under federal law. In particular, hospitals can’t refuse to treat them. HHS spokesman Kevin Keane said the department’s action was not politically motivated. He said Leavitt had been asked about the issue at his confirmation hearing.

story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=544&ncid=703&e=3&u=/ap/20050422/ap_on_go_pr_wh/abortion_fetus

This is why I voted for Bush, despite my being so tough on him over Iraq.

 

[gilliam]

gnjsdad:

This is why I voted for Bush, despite my being so tough on him over Iraq.

cool!

 

[SWTHRT]

Yea for Bush!

Karen

 

[geezerbob]

It’s not much, but at least it’s something. Keep on going.

 

[John_19_59]

Its meaningless - how on earth do you enforce that?

Doctors will just ensure the unborn child is dead before extraction anyway.

Its another empty gesture from George Bush who hasn’t in reality changed a single thing about abortion in America.

Talking the talk but not walking the walk - as they say.

 

[geezerbob]

Empty gesture by Bush? I thought congress passed the laws. You’re right about it being meaningless, though. He’s trying to make a little political hay out of it, but the fact that it has no real teeth still goes bact to the congress, not Bush.

 

[Zooey]

Let’s not be too negative, folks. It is true that there will be people that will simply work harder to be sure that these babies die…BUT–this is still a message to the proponents of the culture of death, that they are being watched.
If even one child’s life is spared, will that not be a wonderful thing?? God values each individual life…
It is easy to be cynical. But we need to see this as a sign that, however slowly, the tide may be turning.
I say, God bless these folks that are willing to stand up & declare that these little ones have a right to live. Any effort is commendable. Every advance is a victory.

 

[mlchance]

gilliam:

The Bush administration said Friday that it would enforce a nearly 3-year-old federal law that requires doctors to attempt to keep alive a fetus that survives an abortion.

It’s about damn time.

The Bush Administration dropped the ball on this way from the get go. It ought not take 3 years to recover a fumble.

– Mark L. Chance.

 

[mlchance]

John_19_59:

Its meaningless - how on earth do you enforce that?

Doctors will just ensure the unborn child is dead before extraction anyway.

Its another empty gesture from George Bush who hasn’t in reality changed a single thing about abortion in America.

Please take a moment to educate yourself about this issue, both President Bush’s failures and the ways the law can and should be enforced. Click here and read carefully.

– Mark L. Chance.

 

[John_19_59]

Empty gesture by Bush?

Yep!

If he ever did anything concrete it would split the Republican party.

And that’s a fact!

He’s not going to split the Republican party.

“W” is a politician.

 

[otm]

John_19_59:

Its meaningless - how on earth do you enforce that?

Doctors will just ensure the unborn child is dead before extraction anyway.

Its another empty gesture from George Bush who hasn’t in reality changed a single thing about abortion in America.

Talking the talk but not walking the walk - as they say.

Enforcement comes through education. Don’t assume that the doctors will kill the infant, and don’t assume that the nurses will ignore what the doctor does.

The issue is a bit wider than this; it also has to do with children who are born with severe deformities, and the treatment that may be accorded them prior to a natural death. Prior to the law, most were simply put in a room to die as soon as possible - that is, no treatment whatsoever, including any basic nutrition. Hopefully that will cease.