House Bill 574

Dear Representative Galloway,

As per the opening lines of the Philadelphia Grand Jury report in the matter of Dr. Kermit Gosnell and his associates,

• "This case is about a doctor who killed babies and endangered women. What we mean is that he regularly and illegally delivered live, viable, babies in the third trimester of pregnancy – and then murdered these newborns by severing their spinal cords with scissors. The medical practice by which he carried out this business was a filthy fraud in which he overdosed his patients with dangerous drugs, spread venereal disease among them with infected instruments, perforated their wombs and bowels – and, on at least two occasions, caused their deaths. Over the years, many people came to know that something was going on here. But no one put a stop to it.
  
  "Let us say right up front that we realize this case will be used by those on both sides of the abortion debate. We ourselves cover a spectrum of personal beliefs about the morality of abortion. For us as a criminal grand jury, however, the case is not about that controversy; it is about disregard of the law and disdain for the lives and health of mothers and infants. We find common ground in exposing what happened here, and in recommending measures to prevent anything like this from ever happening again."

Among its recommendations, the Grand Jury report said that,

• "The Pennsylvania Department of Health should license abortion clinics as ambulatory surgical facilities."

As per the Pennsylvania Pro Life Federation, Pennsylvania House Bill 574 "would require abortion clinics to abide by the same health and safety standards as ambulatory surgical facilities." In light of the Grand Jury report, it would seem unfathomable that anyone would oppose such efforts at corrective action. Yet in its statement about HB 574, Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates maintains that "The regulations are so extreme that they will shut down safe, reputable providers and create a market for substandard services.”

As described on the Voices for the Unborn radio program, HB 574 would benefit needs amending to strengthen it. Yet as per the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, "Although it is unfortunate that HB 574 cannot put an end to abortion, it can provide a safer environment for women, reduce the occurrence of abortions, and remove legislation that clearly favors the abortion industry." In its support for HB 574, the Pennsylvania Family Institute says: "Let's hold abortion clinics to the same health and safety standards as we do other surgical facilities."

In the past, you have shared with me that it was your parents who started Bucks County's first pro life group. Of Pennsylvania House candidates from local districts (i.e., the 18th, 29th, 31st, 140th, 141st, 142nd, 143rd, 144th, 145th, & 178th) who responded to last Fall's candidate questionnaire from the Catholic Standard & Times, I noticed that it was only yourself who consistently answered questions in a manner consistent with Catholic teaching. You answered in the manner of the great Robert Casey, Sr - a genuine Pro Life Democrat.

My family and I are fortunate to be represented by you in the 140th district. We are counting on your support for HB 574.

Sincerely,