Washington DC – Pro-life advocates may be facing political setbacks across the country since Roe v. Wade was overturned, effectively giving states the power to regulate abortion.
As thousands of people gathered on the National Mall in the snow around the U.S. Capitol on Friday ahead of a march to the Supreme Court, many expressed support for mothers and families, not just to address the issue. He called for continued expansion of the pro-life movement, including policies and programs. legal battle.
Christina Francis, CEO of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said, “In addition to combating the harm abortion causes to patients, we recognize the reasons why women often seek abortions. It's important that we do something about it.” AAPLOG) she spoke to Fox News Digital on the sidelines of the March for Life on Friday.
But some pro-life activists in the medical profession told Fox News Digital they thought another victory could be won since the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson overturned nearly 50 years of Roe precedent. He said he is doing so. Doctors and medical professionals are rejecting messages from abortion supporters.
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On January 19, 2024, people marched for their lives in Washington, D.C., and were greeted by a single counter-protester at the Supreme Court. (Andrew Thomas/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“We've definitely seen an increase in membership over the past two years, especially right after Dobbs. We've had a huge increase in membership,” Francis said.
Since the 2022 Dobbs decision, AAPLOG medical student and resident fellowships have increased from approximately 200 to approximately 400, and total membership has increased from 7,000 to approximately 7,500. Over the past ten years, the group's total membership has tripled.
Francis said some new members join AAPLOG because they feel left out by the pro-choice stance of major medical institutions.
“I think what they're realizing now is that we're under active attack…not just from pro-abortion advocates, but also from our major certifiers,” Francis said. said.
“I think many of them are seeing the veil lifted on the true position of some of the major medical associations.”
Francis said the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has acted inconsistently with the beliefs of many obstetricians and gynecologists about providing quality health care.
In August 2023, ACOG Interim President Christopher Zahn wrote a letter to the Washington Post expressing his belief that access to abortion should not be restricted.
“Abortion is safe. Abortion improves and saves lives. Like any other important part of health care, it must be available without restriction, without restrictions, and without barriers,” Zahn wrote. .
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“I think many doctors now understand how radical that position is,” Francis said. “Maybe they don't have exactly the same position as me on abortion, but they at least understand that there should be some restrictions and that safeguards should be put in place to ensure women's safety and health. We're really seeing a lot of doctors and other medical professionals waking up to what's been going on in our profession for a long time.”
Last year, ACOG released a fact sheet that dismissed as misinformation some pro-life language, particularly the claims made by abortion advocates that they want to legalize abortion up to the point of birth.
Demonstrators march in front of the Capitol during the annual March for Life on the National Mall on Friday, January 19, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“”[A]“Abortion up to birth” or “Abortion after birth” are examples. derogatory language Used by opponents of abortion access that are not fact-based. Neither is accurate, and neither uses clinically appropriate language,” ACOG's website states.
ACOG also said that late-term abortions are rare and indicate that “something is terribly wrong with the patient's health or the pregnancy.”
According to Francis, viewing abortion as relating to a single patient is one of the reasons health care workers question major health organizations that claim abortion is medical care.
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“We know that abortion is not medical care. It ends the life of one patient and causes serious harm to others,” Francis said.
“They need to point out its extreme and radical nature.” [Democrats] That would be enough if they became president and won majorities in the House, Senate, and White House. It will be an abortion until birth. When you confront your Democratic opponent in a debate, let him defend it. ”
“This fight over abortion extends beyond family planning clinics and pregnancy centers to today's medical settings,” said Chris Faddis, president of Solidarity HealthShare.
“The health care system is increasingly encouraging people to take early fetal tests, forcing people to have abortions and pushing their children into the family planning system for regular women's care, and by forcing people into contraception and commissioning.” 'Patients and things like that,' Faddis said.
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Penny Nance, president of Concerned Women for America, told Fox News Digital that the pro-life movement's priority is to expand the public and private support options for pregnant women and mothers in distress. Told.
“We know that the number one reason a woman chooses to have an abortion is because she is not supported,” Nance says.
One proposal is a national clearinghouse where pregnant women could search for their ZIP code to find nearby resources, including not only medical care but also financial assistance, help with bills, meals, and employment. is. The idea is similar to a program in Mississippi launched last year to collect public aid and nonprofit organizations into one searchable database.
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March for Life is also a political advocacy group, and given the recent stumbling blocks on the abortion issue at the polls, pro-lifers are urging pro-life politicians to avoid the issue by calling on the Democratic Party. urges them to be on the defensive.
“They need to point out its extreme and radical nature.” [Democrats] That would be enough if they took office and won a majority in the House, Senate, and White House. It will be an abortion until birth. He should be able to defend that when he faces his Democratic opponent in the debates,” said Rep. Chris Smith (R.N.J.).
