By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
NEW ORLEANS, La. (LBM) — A photo of a woman in apparent pain and being transported by ambulance from an abortion clinic has raised concerns that an abortion clinic in New Orleans is operating despite a statewide ban on non-essential and non-emergency medical procedures.
The incident could be further evidence of the need for Act 620, a state law being argued by the Louisiana Attorney General Office before the U.S. Supreme Court, that would require abortionists to obtain admitting privileges with a local hospital in case of complications for the woman patient during or after an abortion. In November last year a woman endured a botched abortion at a Baton Rouge abortion clinic and the complications resulted in her having to undergo a total hysterectomy. Her emergency surgery was cited as evidence in support of Act 620 during oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court in March.
DISTURBING IMAGE
Louisiana Right to Life posted the photo on April 21 and noted that the woman had been taken by stretcher from the Women’s Health Care Center in New Orleans.
Ben Clapper, executive director for the pro-life organization, said that ongoing abortions there and at the other two facilities, Delta Clinic in Baton Rouge and Hope Medical Group for Women in Shreveport, defies an order by Governor John Bel Edwards and the Louisiana Department of Health. That mandate bans non-essential and non-emergency medical and dental procedures as part of the effort to reduce coronavirus infections.
“Abortion businesses are once again putting profits over patients,” Clapper told the Baptist Message. “The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has clearly stated that Texas is justified in postponing elective abortions. Without clear and decisive action from Gov. Edwards and his administration, Louisiana will continue to be the Covid-19 abortion destination of the South.”
BACKGROUND
All three abortion facilities shut their doors March 23 when the governor’s order was issued. But the following day, Hope Medical Group reopened its doors, and Delta Clinic followed suit on April 2. Women’s Health Care Center eventually reopened, too.
A task force established by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, who previously issued a statement that the Shreveport clinic was in violation of the order, conducted visits to Hope Medical Group and Delta Clinic, April 9. The task force also later visited Women’s Health Care Center. A letter, obtained by Louisiana Right to Life, dated April 15 by Louisiana Department of Health State Health Officer Jimmy Guidry, asked Hope Medical Group to develop a correction plan. But Louisiana Right to Life has yet to receive a response, Clapper noted.
He also pointed out the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners has issued a letter to all licensed physicians reminding them to adhere to the governor’s public health order, stating that there would be zero tolerance for violations and indicating disciplinary actions would be taken against rogue physicians.
PLAN OF ACTION
Clapper said Louisiana should follow the actions taken by Texas, whose ban of elective abortions during the pandemic has been upheld by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Louisiana is under the jurisdiction of this same federal court which means Edwards can enforce his order on the state’s three abortion facilities.
Clapper encouraged pro-life supporters to e-mail Edwards and demand that actions be taken to hold the abortion facilities and their physicians accountable for the violations.
Louisianans can share their concerns with the governor by clicking here .
