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Bill Could Force Hawaii Catholic Hospital to Give Morning After Pills

Pro-Family group urges citizens to contact lawmakers

By Michael Baggot

HONOLULU, HI, April 25, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Lawmakers in Hawaii are preparing legislation that would force all religious hospitals to distribute "emergency contraceptive," despite any deeply held conviction against the potentially abortifacient pills.

After an initial bill mandating "emergency contraceptive" distribution was gutted, a conference committee was called to add language to House Bill 466 HD 1 that would require the Catholic St. Francis Hospital and other faith-based hospitals in the state to offer information about the morning after pill to all sexual assault victims and to immediately distribute the pill to those who request it.

Proponents of the morning after pill argue that it is a way of saving victimized women from the extra trauma of an unplanned pregnancy.

Opponents of the pill object to its abortifacient capacities.

Research indicates that the morning after pill not only prevents conception, but can also lead to the death of an already fertilized embryo.

For instance, a 2003 Polycarp Research Institute study (http://www.polycarp.org/postfertilization_polycarp_1.htm) indicated that the morning after pill prevents ovulation about half of the time.  Thus, it is possible for fertilization to occur after taking the pill.  The successfully fertilized ovum would then likely die due to its inability to implant in the altered uterine lining.

In late January, Honolulu Bishop Larry Silva issued a statement urging the legislature to include a religious exemption for St. Francis, noting that "emergency contraceptives" are "a non-surgical method of abortion" that "violate the human rights of unborn children."

The Hawaii Family Forum (HFF), a pro-family education organization, contends that the legislation would contradict St. Francis's first amendment freedom to practice medicine in accord with their religious convictions.

HFF also expressed fears that the adapted version of HB 466 would set a legal precedence for the state to demand religious hospitals to also perform surgical abortions.

The HFF is encouraging concerned individuals to contact the joint conference committee to ask them for a religious exemption from distributing "emergency contraceptives."

See pervious LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

New Oregon Law Requires Hospitals to offer Sexual Assault Victims "Emergency Contraceptives"
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/mar/08030602.html

Hawaii Governor Vetoes Bill Forcing Abortifacients In Hospitals
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/jun/03062402.html

Hawaii to Pay for Abortion Pill RU-486
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2001/jun/01060602.html

Learn more about the HFF:
http://www.hawaiifamilyforum.org/

Contact members of the conference committee:

Sen. David Ige- (808) 586-6230
Rep. Josh Green- (808) 586-9605;
Sen. Brian Taniguchi- (808) 586-6460;
Rep. Blake Oshiro- (808) 586-6340;
Sen. Rosalyn Baker- (808) 586-6070;
Rep. Marilyn Lee- (808) 586-9460;
Sen. Paul Whalen- (808) 586-9385
Rep. Della Au Belatti- (808) 586-9425
Rep. Cynthia Theilen- (808) 586-6480.

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