Operation Rescue® is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation and has become the voice of the pro-life activist movement in America. Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to restore legal personhood to the pre-born and stop abortion in obedience to biblical mandates.
Wichita, KS — Operation Rescue has been informed that long-time pro-life leader Fr. Norman Weslin passed from this life Wednesday evening. He was the founder of the Lambs of Christ, a group that engaged in peaceful civil disobedience at abortion clinics in the late 1980′s and early 1990′s.
Fr. Weslin was arrested and was jailed dozens of times at abortion clinic sit-ins, also known as Rescues. He boldly placed himself between abortion-bound women and the abortionists’ doors while pleading for the lives of the pre-born. Many children were saved from abortion as the result of his sometimes controversial ministry.
“We mourn the passing of this great pro-life hero who lived sacrificially so others who he would never know could experience the gift of life. May God bless his eternal soul and richly reward him for his service,” said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue and Pro-Life Nation.
Operation Rescue is calling for those of conscience to avoid using Christ Hospital in Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH – An abortionist that provides emergency hospital care to injured abortion patients of late-term abortionist Martin Haskell has been hired by the same hospital that stripped him of privileges just last year.
In a press release issued by Christ Hospital on May 1, 2012, it was announced that Walter T. Bowers, II, would be employed by Christ Hospital as a Gynecologist and has moved his office into their facility.
“It is outrageous that Bowers is being embraced by Christ Hospital in light of his past history of fatal negligence and dishonesty,” said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue and Pro-Life Nation. “This man is not fit to practice medicine.”
Bowers has held himself out to be Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, but according to his own deposition taken in August, 2011, Bowers is not and never has been Board Certified in any specialty. A check with the American Board of Medical Specialties indicated that Bowers holds no Board Certification.
Bowers also attempted to conceal from the Ohio Medical Board his employment at Clinic for Women, an abortion clinic in Indianapolis. He told the Ohio Medical Board under oath that he did not practice in Indiana, when in fact he had listed Clinic for Women as his Indiana address on his medical license in that state.
Bowers, has a written agreement to provide emergency hospital care to injured abortion patients of Martin Haskell, who offers extremely late-term abortions in Dayton and Sharonville, Ohio. Because of Haskell’s agreement with Bowers and another physician, the Ohio Department of Health has issued a variance allowing Haskell to continue to operate even though he personally has no hospital privileges as required by law.
Operation Rescue objected to Bowers’ agreement with Haskell after it was learned that he paid out $250,000 after being sued by a family that lost a wanted baby due to Bowers’ negligence. That caused Kentucky to bar him from the practice of obstetrics, put him under investigation in the State of Indiana, and prompted a Board action to be launched against him in Ohio.
“We ask Christ Hospital to seriously reconsider their affiliation with Bowers, who places them squarely in cahoots with Haskell’s dangerous late-term abortion business,” said Newman. “This looks like a backroom deal to keep Haskell’s abortion business afloat. Bowers has proven that he cannot be trusted to tell the truth or provide adequate health care. This is a black eye to Christ Hospital. We are asking all those who support life to abstain from using Christ Hospital for their health care needs until they disaffiliate with Bowers and with the heinous practice of abortion.”
[Operation Rescue has worked closely with Project Defending Life to expose abortion abuses in New Mexico and bring protections to vulnerable pregnant women and their babies. Tara Shaver is a former intern with Operation Rescue.]
By Tara Shaver, Project Defending Life
The State of New Mexico has one of the highest poverty rates. Money that could go to alleviate poverty has instead been dished out to abortion providers to the tune of over 1.1 million state tax dollars in 2011 to fund abortions through Medicaid.
Medicaid first began to cover abortion services in 1976, but only for cases when the life of the mother was endangered, as per the Federal Hyde Amendment. In 1977, the Hyde Amendment wording was changed to allow federal funding for abortions to also include cases of rape or incest in addition to life endangerment of the mother.
In New Mexico, Medicaid coverage was extended to “medically necessary” abortions, to be funded out of state funds without any federal financial participation. “Medically necessary” includes physical or mental health issues, but not to the extent of endangering the life of the mother. These policies have not changed in New Mexico since 1998.
“In 2011, New Mexico tax payers paid for 1,786 abortions which amounted to $1,127,557.26. This really brings new meaning to the concept of forced abortions, only now the coercion is foisted upon New Mexico tax payers to fund abortions,” stated Bud Shaver of Project Defending Life.
Abortion Injuries Cause Further Concern
Last June, fourteen 911 calls were obtained through a public records request, prompting even more concern about New Mexico tax funds paying for abortions. At least 14 women were seriously injured by abortions that were potentially paid for by tax payers. Women suffered from uncontrolled bleeding, a ruptured uterus, seizures, and near life threatening complications after and during the abortions.
Tax payers should not be forced to fund a failing industry that harms women and kills their children.
Abortion Clinics Lack Oversight
As Albuquerque attracts women from all over the country seeking abortions, it is also of great concern that the surgical portion of the clinics are never inspected. Abortion clinics nationwide are commonly under regulated, but in a state where tax payers foot the bill for abortions there is almost no oversight. The New Mexico Department of Health currently claims to lack jurisdiction over abortion clinics because they are not classified properly to come under its oversight. This partly explains the abortion injuries we continue to see here in Albuquerque.
Authorities and Public Officials Notified, Action Anticipated
Complaints were filed with the New Mexico Medical Board shortly after the fourteen 911 tapes were obtained. It is unclear as to what extent an investigation in the interest of public safety is underway. Our concerns and all pertinent information have been given to Governor Martinez’s office. Project Defending Life has just recently met with the Governor’s staff and brought the crisis of forced taxpayer-funded abortions to the Governor’s attention.
It is truly unfortunate that there have been years of neglect regarding the safety of women entering unregulated and dangerous abortion clinics in Albuquerque. The 1.1 million dollars currently paying for abortions could certainly be used more effectively to help those in need in the state of New Mexico.
We have been assured by the Governor’s office that steps are being taken to turnaround this deep seated abortion culture that has caused New Mexico to be labeled the “Abortion Capital of the Southwest.” It is our hope that the New Mexico Department of Health will begin inspections of these abortion facilities and that the New Mexico Medical Board will fully investigate the 14 botched abortions and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
“In our discussions with the Governor’s office, we understand that a lot of work needs to be done to change this culture of innocent deaths and wounding of women. It has gotten so bad that the New Mexico abortion industry has publicly bragged about unrestricted abortion access in New Mexico, abortions performed on girls as young as 11, and people coming from surrounding states to have abortions here in New Mexico,” stated Fr. Stephen Imbarrato of Project Defending Life, after meeting with the Governor’s Chief of Staff. “It is our hope and expectation that the Governor will explore every option at her disposal to end what has become a shameful and unacceptable situation here in New Mexico.”
