Dear Friend,
Indiana law requires doctors to administer life saving care to babies who survive abortion.
But if a child survives birth, doctors are NOT required to administer life saving care.
You read that right.
If a baby survives attempted murder by abortion, medical staff must try to save that child’s life.
However, if a premature baby, who an abortionist has not attempted to kill, is born before a hospital deems him “viable,” then the doctors and nurses can deny life saving care and leave the baby to die.
This is what happened to Baby River. He was born just a few days before the hospital considered him “viable,” and while River fought to breathe and live for hours, the medical staff refused to act and watched him die.
Yesterday, Representatives Nisly and Jacob stood up for River and said “babies that survive birth must be given life saving care, just like babies that survive abortion.”
They attempted to change Indiana law to protect babies like River by filing an amendment which fit beautifully inside a bill about hospital practices.
After all, if the hospital practice is to let babies die without attempting to save them, then a bill about hospital practices is a good place to amend this terrible hospital policy. It was a perfect placement.
If this amendment passed, children like baby River would be treated as patients when born early.
But, Indiana Representatives killed the amendment.
They said that the amendment did not belong and kept it legal for hospitals to let babies like River suffer and die.
My friend, our elected officials had the chance to protect babies today and they refused.
Most of the Republicans who voted against saving babies like River campaigned as pro-life just a few months ago.
And they are making up all sorts of excuses. Rep. Dan Leonard stated he didn’t want to introduce criminal penalties into the health code. Perhaps he didn’t realize the health code currently contains penalties to breaking the code. Furthermore, Leonard voted to add criminal penalties to the health code in the past.
No matter what excuses they may throw at you, the simple truth is Leonard and the rest of the Republicans voted “YES” to kill the amendment which would save babies like River.
Check out the graphic below. Only Rep Nisly, Rep. Jacob, and Rep. Borders voted “No” to killing the amendment.
While Indiana Republicans were forced to vote yesterday, they have fought tooth and nail to avoid going on the record with their pro-life stance all session long.
So far this year:
Republican Rep. Jerry Torr killed protection of life legislation which would end abortion in Indiana.
Republican House Speaker Todd Huston pretended he did not hear Rep. Nisly second a motion made by Rep. Jacob. He did this to avoid a vote on a pro-life amendment.
House Speaker Todd Huston raced through amendments, avoiding calling bill numbers, so Rep. Nisly would not have time to call down a pro-life amendment banning chemical abortions.
House Speaker Todd Huston refuses to allow Rep. Nisly and Rep. Jacob to attend caucus meetings. This is “punishment” for Nisly and Jacob fighting to end abortion when the Establishment says not to.
House Speaker Todd Huston repeatedly calls recess during the session to plot with the rest of the Establishment against Nisly and Jacob.
Our “pro-life” politicians repeatedly show us they are anything but pro-life.
And you deserve to know when your legislator votes against saving babies.
That’s why I hope you’ll take a good look at the graphic above.
If your Rep. voted “yes” to killing an amendment which would save babies, I hope you’ll let them know you disapprove of this type of behavior.
Be on the lookout for your Rep. to excuse away his or her vote. After all, most of the House Republicans are afraid of House Speaker Huston’s “punishments,” and so they will vote how he tells them to and then try to convince you it’s the right thing.
I’d be interested in hearing the excuses your elected official gives you.
After that, please call and thank Rep. Nisly (317-234-3827) and Rep. Jacob (317-232-9648 ) for fighting for babies like River. These brave men stood against the Establishment to stand up for babies and do what is right.
Thank you for standing for LIFE and for helping me hold our elected officials’ feet to the fire.
I’ll continue keeping tabs on our legislators for the remainder of this session!
For Life,
Amy Schlichter
Executive Director
Hoosiers for Life
P.S. Yesterday, Indiana House Republicans overwhelmingly voted to kill an amendment which would have required hospitals to provide life saving care for premature babies.
See the above graphic to check on your legislator’s vote. A “yes” vote was a vote in favor of killing the amendment.
I hope you’ll consider chipping in a few dollars to help Hoosiers for Life hold our elected officials accountable to their pro-life promises.
Paid for by the supporters of Hoosiers for Life, a tax exempt non-profit organization under IRC 501(c)(4) which does not endorse, support, or oppose candidates for election.
www.hoosiers4life.com