NRLC, Representative Stam Endorse Tillis for Senate

Rep. Thom Tillis

This week, both National Right to Life and Representative Paul "Skip" Stam have endorsed Speaker of the NC House Thom Tillis for U.S. Senate. 

In a statement released by National Right to Life, president Carol Tobias describes Tillis as "an outspoken leader in the fight to protect innocent human life in North Carolina, and . . . the only candidate with a proven record of leadership who can defeat pro-abortion Sen. Kay Hagan this fall.

Representative Stam also notes Tillis' excellent pro-life accomplishments as Speaker of the House in the General Assembly. He additionally comments on his solid conservative leadership and ability to work with Democrats and Republicans alike to pass commonsense legislation on the state level. 

Representative Tillis and several other Republican candidates will be on the May 6 primary ballot. Please encourage your pro-life friends to vote!

Save the Date!

The 44th Annual National Right to Life Convention is just around the corner! This year, join pro-lifers from all over the country in Louisville, Kentucky, from June 26-28 for informational workshops, inspiring speeches, and an all-around great time! 

This year's speakers include National Right to Life President Carol Tobias; Kathryn Jean Lopez, editor-at-large of The National Review Online; Bobby Schindler, executive director of the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network; and many more! 

Registration is now open, with many different rates to choose from (adult, senior, student, couple, etc). Teenagers who would enjoy learning more about pro-life issues are also welcome to attend, as the Teens for Life Convention meets at the same time. For families with small children, complete childcare services are available. 

Special events, such as the Prayer Breakfast and Closing "Stand for Life!" Banquet, require additional tickets. 

Visit the convention website for more information!

National Right to Life Releases Report, "The Affordable Care Act and Health Care Access in the United States"

From the National Right to Life Committee: 

“THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND HEALTH CARE ACCESS
IN THE UNITED STATES”
National Right to Life Releases New Report
Examining the Effect of the Affordable Care Act in the United States

WASHINGTON – With a March 31, 2014, deadline impending for open enrollment in the insurance exchanges established by “The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (also known as Obamacare), the Robert Powell Center for Medical Ethics at the National Right to Life Committee today issued a new report, “The Affordable Care Act and Health Care Access in the United States.” The report analyzes four fundamental policy areas of Obamacare and concludes that they will drastically limit access to life-saving medical treatment under the law. These four areas include: the “excess benefit” tax coming into effect in 2018, the current exclusion of adequate health Insurance plans from the exchanges, present limits on senior citizens’ ability to use their own money for health insurance, and federal limits on the care doctors give their patients to be implemented as soon as 2016.

“For pro-life Americans concerned about the impact on innocent human life—both born and unborn—the policies of Obamacare couldn’t be worse,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “Americans are just as concerned with the law’s impact on our ability to access life-saving medical treatment for ourselves, our family members, and our loved ones as with Obamacare’s funding of abortions. Obamacare is bad medicine for America.”

Since it was first debated in Congress, National Right to Life’s Powell Center for Medical Ethics has argued that key provisions of Obamacare would limit what Americans could spend—out of their own funds—to access life-saving medical treatment. As the Center’s new report concludes, Americans will see a significant shift in how they are able to access health care, and just what types of treatment they will be able to obtain.

As documented by media reports and the language of the law itself, Obamacare will limit access to life-saving treatment in four different ways:

1. Obamacare imposes a 40% excise tax on employer-paid health insurance premiums above a governmentally imposed limit that does not keep up with medical inflation. Consequently, insurance companies will be forced to impose increasingly severe restraints on policy-holders’ access to medical diagnosis and treatment—limits that will make it harder to get often-expensive treatments essential to combatting life-threatening illnesses.

2. Under Obamacare, consumers using the exchanges may only choose plans offered by insurers who do not allow their customers to spend what government bureaucrats deem an “excessive or unjustified” amount for their health insurance – regardless of whether the insurers offer such plans inside or outside of the exchanges established by the law.

3. Most senior citizens know that the law will significantly cut government funding for Medicare, but they may not be aware of the law’s provision allowing Washington bureaucrats to prevent them from making up the Medicare shortfall with their own funds by limiting their right to spend their own money to obtain insurance less likely to limit treatments that could save their lives.

4. The “Independent Payment Advisory Board” is directed to recommend measures to limit spending on health care to a growth rate below medical inflation – not just for Medicare, but also for all private, nongovernmental health care spending. The federal Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) is then authorized to implement these measures by placing limits on the treatments providers may give their patients by requiring them to abide by so-called “quality and efficiency standards” imposed by HHS.

“Obamacare authorizes Washington bureaucrats to create one uniform, national standard of care that is designed to limit what private citizens are allowed to spend to save their own lives,” stated Burke Balch, J.D., director of the Robert Powell Center for Medical Ethics. “We are convinced most Americans do not believe that the government should limit the right of Americans to use their own money for health care necessary to save their lives. Yet, that is exactly what Obamacare does. ”

The report is available from the National Right to Life Communications Department here:www.nrlc.org/communications/healthcarereport.

Founded in 1968, National Right to Life, the federation of 50 state right-to-life affiliates and more than 3,000 local chapters, is the nation's oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. Recognized as the flagship of the pro-life movement, NRLC works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia.

H.R. 7, No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, Passes House

On January 28, 2014, the U.S. House passed H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act with a 227-188 vote. The following commentary is taken from National Right to Life's commentary on the bill's passage: 

H.R. 7, sponsored by Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Dan Lipinski (D-Il.), would codify the principles of the Hyde Amendment on a permanent, government-wide basis, applicable to both longstanding federal health programs and to the new programs created by Obamacare. Under the bill, health plans that cover

elective abortions would not qualify for federal subsidies, although such plans could still be sold to those who wish to purchase them with personal funds.
On today’s vote on passage, the bill was supported by 221 Republicans and six Democrats. It was opposed by one Republican and 187 Democrats, many of whom echoed attacks on the bill found in a veto threat issued by the White House.

“The White House veto threat demonstrates yet again that President Obama is engaging in establishing massive federal subsidies for abortion on demand, notwithstanding his evasions and denials,” said National Right to Life President Carol Tobias. “The 188 House members who voted against the bill will be firmly marked as supporters of federal funding for elective abortion.”

Further details on specific components of H.R. 7 are found in NRLC’s January 24 letter to the House of Representatives (http://www.nrlc.org/uploads/ahc/NRLCToHouseHR7.pdf). More extensive documentation on the abortion-expanding provisions of Obamacare, and the overall history of limitations on federal subsidies for abortion, are found in NRLC’s congressional testimony at http://www.nrlc.org/uploads/ahc/ProtectLifeActDouglasJohnsonTestimony.pdf.

North Carolinians should be proud of the nine House members who voted "yes" on the bill. Congressman Mark Meadows (R-11), one of the bill's supporters, gave a short but moving pro-life testimony during the debate. You can watch that speech here and see the votes below. Please contact your representatives to thank them for their "yes" votes! Being pro-life in Congress isn't easy, and they need your support. 

How the U.S. House from North Carolina voted: voted    � Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-1) N    � Rep. Howard Coble (R-6) Y    � Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-2) Y    � Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-5) Y    � Rep. George Holding (R-13) Y    � Rep. Richard Hudson (R-8) Y    � Rep. Walter Jones (R-3) NV    � Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-10) Y    � Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-7) Y    � Rep. Mark Meadows (R-11) Y    � Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-9) Y    � Rep. David Price (D-4) N

Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act Introduced in the Senate

Yesterday, November 7, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) introduced the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act in the Senate. This law, which passed in the House in June, would protect unborn children after 20 weeks old, the age at which medical and scientific evidence agrees that babies can feel pain.

As medical technology continues to develop, an increasing number of studies indicate that preborn children are fully capable of experiencing pain by no later than 20 weeks after fertilization. Doctors also have reason to believe that at this stage of life, babies feel pain more intensely than do adults or even newborns because they have not had the time to develop resistance to pain. It should come as no surprise to pro-lifers that our country holds a curious double-standard when it comes to the unborn. Premature infants, for example, are treated like any other patient even as other babies their age are being aborted. Earlier this year, Americans were horrified to learn that abortionist Kermit Gosnell's preferred method was nothing short of infanticide...but only because he delivered his tiny victims first. During fetal surgery, doctors provide both mother and child with anesthesia.  

Even former abortionists admit that they witnessed the babies' distress during the abortions they performed. This, of course, should be obvious: abortions after the first trimester are all surgical, and the babies are literally ripped apart limb by limb. Not only is this a gruesome way to die, it's barbaric, especially considering the excruciating pain they must experience in the process. 

You can see why the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act is so very important, so please help in any way you can! Here are some suggestions:

1) Educate yourself. Websites like nrlc.org and doctorsonfetalpain.com are both good places to start learning about fetal development, abortion procedures, and fetal pain.

2) Educate others. Share what you've learned! Talk to your friends and family members, re-post graphics and facts on Facebook, pin this on Pinterest, tweet using #TheyFeelPain, and whatever else it takes to inform others about the pain babies feel during abortions.

3) Sign the petition. Let Congress know you approve of legislation protecting pain-capable children! http://thepainlesspetition.com/

4) Contact your Senators and tell them you support the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. You can also thank Senator Richard Burr, who co-sponsored this landmark piece of legislation!

Forty Years of Pro-Life Work!

While 2013 marks the 40^th anniversary of the tragic Roe v. Wade decision, this year also marks 40 years of life-saving work in North Carolina. On Saturday, September 28, NCRTL celebrated the occasion with 160 friends and supporters at a banquet in Greensboro. 

Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest

The evening began with a reception with Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest, who greeted guests and posed for pictures with them. Forest is only the second Republican lieutenant governor to be elected in North Carolina since 1897, and he has been active in pro-life work for many years, including acting as former chairman of the board of Wake Forest Pregnancy Support Services.

Following the reception, guests were seated for dinner and the evening’s program began. After leading the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, Allen Morris, director of Concerned Methodists, presented Barbara Holt with the group's Trooper for Christ Award. Morris explained that while the award traditionally goes to members of the Methodist church, the organization felt that Holt deserved recognition for her years of devotion to pro-life ministry.

Guests waiting for the program to begin

Holt then gave some updates about NCRTL’s progress in recent years. As you know, North Carolina has passed some important pro-life legislation, including the Woman’s Right to Know/informed consent law, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, a ban on sex-selection abortion and webcam abortions, opting out of federally funded abortion in the health care exchange, and increased regulation of abortion facilities. Holt also talked about the success of NCRTL's first Camp Joshua and our increased presence on social media sites such as Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.

NRLC President Carol Tobias

Guests were then treated to an address from special guest Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. Tobias commended NCRTL for not only the laws passed, but also for the number of pro-life members elected to Congress. Tobias encouraged North Carolinians to keep up the good work, noting that the pro-life movement is one characterized by love. Even though we may never meet the people we work so hard to save, she said, the fruit of our efforts is important nonetheless.

Lieutenant Governor Forest, the featured speaker, also spoke positively about the progress made in North Carolina. He recognized the legislators in attendance, saying that although he is the one often in the spotlight, the citizens owe their gratitude to the hard-working members of the General Assembly who face so much opposition for being pro-life.  Forest focused much of his speech on the need to return America to her roots. The misrepresentation of separation of church and state, he said, is responsible for the culture today because once you remove God from the public sphere, you lose respect for human life, too.

The evening’s program ended with a benediction, but many people stayed afterward to chat with one another. It was truly wonderful to see so many pro-life people enjoying each other’s company, and we at NCRTL are blessed to have all of your support!

Celebrating 40 Years of Protecting Innocent Lives!

This year marks North Carolina Right to Life's 40th anniversary, and what better way to celebrate than a party?

Please join us on September 28th as we commemorate this special occasion! Our banquet, featuring Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest and National Right to Life President Carol Tobias, will begin at 7 o'clock in the evening at the Embassy Suites in Greensboro.

For guests with VIP tickets, there will be an hors d'oeuvres reception with an opportunity to meet and get a complimentary photo with the lieutenant governor at 6 o'clock. 

Seating is limited, so visit our website for tickets and pricing soon!

Texas, North Carolina, and Pro-Life Legislation

It was a crazy week in Texas. On June 25, the Texas legislative session was winding down, but the Senate had yet to vote on a bill that would greatly increase regulations on abortionists and their facilities. Senator Wendy Davis became an overnight celebrity when her 10-hour filibuster, combined with the noise of the pro-abortion audience, pushed the final vote til after midnight. Because the legislative session ended at midnight, the vote was invalid.

The story doesn’t end there, though; Governor Rick Perry called a special session in order to give the bill another chance. Since Monday, July 1, thousands of Texans have swarmed Austin to voice their opinions of the bill. Supporters of HB2 wear blue; opponents wear orange. After hearing hours of testimonies, the House State Affairs Committee voted in favor of the bill, 8-3. Next week, HB2 will continue to the House, while its companion bill, SB1, will likely be discussed in committee on Monday.

In part due to the dramatic end to the legislative session, Texas has received national attention and attracted support, criticism, and debate from all over the country. However, North Carolina is fighting a similar battle, and it’s important for North Carolina citizens to be actively involved in what’s going on at home.

On Wednesday, July 3, in spite of hundreds of pro-abortion supporters who flooded the Legislature, the NC Senate passed H695.  This bill includes provisions seeking to prohibit sex selection abortions, to require physicians to be physically present during an abortion, and to opt out of abortion coverage in the federal exchange.  To pro-lifers, these measures seem obvious. Why wouldn’t people want to ban sex selective abortions, or to ensure that a doctor is in the room when a mother takes a deadly pill with risky side effects? To abortion rights supporters, though, such measures are merely obstacles between a woman and her “right” to choose, and they are desperate to protect that “right” to abortion for any reason, any time.

While H695 has passed in the Senate, it still has a long way to go before it becomes law. On Tuesday, July 9, there will be a vote to concur in the House Health and Human Services Committee, and the bill could possibly be on the House floor later that day for the full House vote.  If the committee and full House concur then it will be on its way to the governor’s desk. YOUR SUPPORT IS VITAL! These measures will save lives, but our legislators need to hear from their pro-life constituents immediately. You can be sure they are hearing from those who want abortion to be legal without any restriction.  Please visit our website, www.ncrtl.org, and look under “Action Alert” to see how you can help!

Hagan still undecided about her Kagan vote

Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) is still undecided about how she will vote on the Elena Kagan nomination to be an Associate Justice to the U. S. Supreme Court. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) is planning to vote "NO."

National Right to Life sent a 4 page letter to all U. S. Senators explaining why it is imperative to oppose her nomination.

In their letter, "NRLC noted that recently released documents from a period (1995-99) in which Kagan was an aide to President Clinton 'reveal Ms. Kagan to have been a key strategist -- perhaps, indeed, the lead strategist within the White House -- in the successful effort to prevent enactment of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act during the Clinton Administration. . . . Ms. Kagan played a key role in keeping the brutal partial-birth abortion method legal for an additional decade.' The documents also show Kagan taking objectionable positions on such issues as assisted suicide, human cloning, and political free speech."

The Senate should be voting soon on this nomination, so time is short to make your voice heard. If you wish to send an email, you can visit the NRLC Legislative Action Center where you can easily send your message.

A phone call is an excellent way to communicate your opposition to the Kagan nomination. Senator Kay Hagan's DC phone number is 202-224-6342. To thank Senator Richard Burr, call 202-224-3154.