CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, May 25, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) revealed last week that expanding medical abortions into every Planned Parenthood clinic in the country through the use of a “telemed abortion” scheme is part of PPFA's Strategic Plan for 2015.
The plan was revealed after a protest of Planned Parenthood organized by the Pro-Life Action League. Between 150 and 200 pro-lifers braved the cold and rain to protest a Planned Parenthood fund-raising banquet in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in the wake of the “telemed abortion” scandal in that state.
Operation Rescue's Omaha-based Truth Truck was also on hand, circling the hotel where Cecile Richards, president of PPFA, delivered the keynote speech at the 30-year anniversary celebration of Planned Parenthood in Cedar Rapids.
Tara Shaver, Operation Rescue's researcher who helped uncover Planned Parenthood's telemed abortion scheme, gave a number of interviews to the press, including Iowa Public Radio (IPR). IPR’s report revealed that the telemed abortion process is beginning to expand throughout Iowa, and that there are plans to expand it throughout the nation during the next five years.
Telemed abortion is a process where abortion pills are dispensed via teleconferencing hook-up. An abortionist sits in front of a webcam and pushes a button to electronically open a drawer in the faraway clinic containing the drugs. A licensed physician never physically examines the mother.
Operation Rescue has filed complaints with the Iowa Board of Medicine against Planned Parenthood, alleging that the telemed abortion scheme is dangerous, illegal, and violates FDA protocols for usage of the drug, known as RU486, or Mifepristone. The Board is investigating.
“If this push-button abortion scheme is allowed to spread, it will only increase the number of abortions at a time when abortion rates are falling and abortion clinics are closing,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. “Not only will more babies die, but women will be placed in increased danger of serious medical complications or death, with no real emergency plan other than to make patients fend for themselves at whatever emergency room they can find.”
Abortion rates nationally have dropped, as have the number of surgical abortion clinics. However, in Iowa, abortion rates have remained steady. Operation Rescue claims that this is because telemed abortions have offset the decrease in the number of surgical abortions.
“In addition to the dangers, telemed abortions are a cash cow for the abortion cartel. Planned Parenthood is charging insurance companies twice the price of cash patients, without having to pay an on-site abortionist. If this dangerous scheme is allowed to spread, it will increase health care costs for everyone,” said Newman.
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
'Telemed' Abortions Under Investigation in Iowa
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/apr/10050403.html