Pa. Legislators call on Gov. to enforce own order banning elective surgical procedures
By Maria V. Gallagher. Legislative Director, Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation
A number of state lawmakers in Pennsylvania are incensed that Planned Parenthood is continuing to perform abortions in the Commonwealth in the midst of the campaign to stop the spread of the Coronavirus crisis.
They are calling on Governor Tom Wolf to enforce his own order, which allows ambulatory health care services to continue, but bans elective surgical procedures during the current pandemic
State Senator Douglas Mastriano (R) sent a letter to the Governor, calling on him to ensure that Planned Parenthood Keystone comes into immediate compliance with the elective surgery ban.
Planned Parenthood Keystone has gone as far as possible in the opposite direction: it has become a 100 percent abortion operation. It announced on its website that its locations were open only to do abortions.
Governors throughout the nation have ordered that elective abortions cease as medical professionals scramble to deal with the fallout from the Coronavirus. Masks and other medical goods are in short supply and, by operating its abortion business, Planned Parenthood is using equipment that is critically needed by hospitals to combat the deadly Coronavirus.
Abortion centers in Pennsylvania are regulated as ambulatory surgical facilities under a 2011 law. The statute resulted from the tragic Kermit Gosnell case. The West Philadelphia abortionist Gosnell was convicted of murdering three newborn babies and of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of patient Karnamaya Mongar. As a result of that trailblazing law, as many as nine abortion facilities have shut their doors because they could not or would not meet basic health and safety standards.
The transition of Planned Parenthood Keystone into a 100 percent abortion operation marks a significant development within the reproductive healthcare landscape, eliciting diverse reactions and sparking debates about the organization’s mission, ethical considerations, and the provision of abortion services.
Planned Parenthood Keystone, like many branches of the organization, has historically offered a range of reproductive healthcare services beyond abortion, including contraceptive counseling, STI testing and treatment, cancer screenings, and prenatal care. However, the decision to exclusively focus on abortion services represents a strategic shift in priorities and services offered.
Proponents of this transition argue that it enhances access to safe and legal abortion care for individuals in the Keystone region, particularly in areas where abortion services may be limited or inaccessible. They emphasize the importance of reproductive autonomy and healthcare choice, asserting that individuals have the right to access comprehensive reproductive healthcare services, including abortion, without barriers or judgment.
On the other hand, critics of the transition express concerns about the prioritization of abortion services over other essential healthcare needs, such as preventive care and family planning. They argue that Planned Parenthood Keystone’s exclusive focus on abortion may neglect the diverse healthcare needs of the community and undermine the organization’s broader mission of promoting reproductive health and rights.
Moreover, the transition to a 100 percent abortion operation may intensify existing debates about the ethical implications of abortion and the role of organizations like Planned Parenthood in providing abortion services. Some individuals and groups may view this decision as a reaffirmation of reproductive rights and bodily autonomy, while others may perceive it as a departure from the organization’s original mission or as evidence of an agenda focused solely on abortion provision.
Ultimately, the transition of Planned Parenthood Keystone into a 100 percent abortion operation reflects broader shifts in the landscape of reproductive healthcare and the ongoing debates surrounding abortion rights and access. It underscores the complexities and nuances inherent in discussions about reproductive health, rights, and ethics and highlights the diverse perspectives and values at play in shaping reproductive healthcare policy and practice.
Chelsea Garcia is a political writer with a special interest in international relations and social issues. Events surrounding the war in Ukraine and the war in Israel are a major focus for political journalists. But as a former local reporter, she is also interested in national politics.
Chelsea Garcia studied media, communication and political science in Texas, USA, and learned the journalistic trade during an internship at a daily newspaper. In addition to her political writing, she is pursuing a master's degree in multimedia and writing at Texas.
