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Earlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration approved the controversial drug “ella” as “emergency contraception” to be used up to five days after sex to “prevent pregnancy”  (see the First Things blog First Thoughts). In another example of Orwellian redefinition, pro-abortion factions would have the public believe that “contraception” can occur after fertilization, when the word itself means to prevent fertilization. In fact, the FDA did not disclose that ella acts as an abortifacient, resulting in the destruction of the smallest of human life.

Those marketing ella have tried to closely associate it with Plan B (also known as the “Morning After Pill”) in an effort to quell some of the controversy and break into the EC market, as opposed to the abortion market. While ethically there is no difference between EC and abortion as both cause the destruction of life, legally and legislatively, there is a difference.

Classification as an abortifacient creates significant hurdles for the producers, marketers and distributors of ella. If labeled an abortifacient, it most likely loses eligibility for federal tax subsidies and of ever becoming an over-the-counter drug (as is Plan B). It’s also possible that if President Obama’s federal health care takeover stands in court, ella, as EC, may be covered by health insurance plans. Additionally, future distributors of ella (such as predictably supportive Planned Parenthood) have a financial incentive to refer to ella as EC, not an abortion pill, since “contraception” is less objectionable than “abortion,” thus  increasing the distributors’ client base and profitability.

Ella marketers would like you to believe that it is merely an improved version of Plan B. Plan B can also prevent an embryo from implanting in the uterine wall and causes the destruction of the embryo. If taken after the embryo has implanted, Plan B is not able to destroy the embryo. Conversely, ella can. It is crucial that the public understand Ella’s destructive nature.

The drug that has a similar chemical makeup to ella is not Plan B, but rather RU-486, the pill used for chemical abortions. Ella’s misclassification as EC is a clandestine method to provide funding for abortion. In its research trials, ella was not tested for its abortive potential and therefore the unknown consequences and dangers are potentially expansive. (At least six deaths as a result of RU-486 have been reported to the FDA over the past six years.) Since ella’s chemical makeup is similar to RU-486, it’s likely its complication rate will be just as tragic.

Watson Pharmaceuticals, the U.S. company marketing ella, says it will likely be available with a prescription by the end of this year. Disguised as emergency contraception — it is more appropriately called “The Five Day After Pill” and “The Stealth Abortion Pill” — ella is a drug with greater destructive value than previously available. For more facts about ella, Michael Fragoso composes a detailed examination into its truly destructive capability, as well as what its proponents don’t want you to know, at The Public Discourse.

Below is The Family Foundation of Virginia’s official statement, released this week, to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regarding its consideration of ending regulations that protect the ethical standards and consciences of medical professionals. HHS is seeking public comments on the proposed rollback through today. For information on how to e-mail HHS, click here. 

Official Statement By The Family Foundation of Virginia to the Department of Health and Human Services Regarding Medical Professionals Conscience Protection Regulations

The Family Foundation of Virginia, the Commonwealth’s oldest and largest pro-family advocacy organization, urges the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to leave in place the current regulations protecting the conscience rights of health care workers. These regulations are needed due to protect the conscience rights of America’s health care workers from increased efforts to force these care givers to violate their personal ethics. The area of discrimination that has increased the most involves the issue of the sanctity of human life. 

Examples of this assault include national medical organizations that oppose conscience rights in the area of abortion. The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) issued certification requirements last year that could lead to discrimination against obstetricians or gynecologists because they tie their certification requirements to pro-abortion principles adapted by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). If an obstetrician or gynecologist disagrees with ACOG’s ethical stance, he or she could face decertification by ABOG. In other words, a highly skilled health care worker could lose their ability to treat patients simply because of their ethical stance against abortion. Another example involves medical organizations that would force pharmacists to dispense drugs, such as emergency contraception, that they find unethical because the drug can lead to the destruction of a human embryo by preventing implantation. 

Otherwise qualified health care workers should not be treated as second-class citizens simply because of their personal ethics. Health care professionals should not be forced to violate their consciences simply to fulfill the politically motivated demands of others. Therefore, we urge you to keep these protections in place.

This Thursday is the official lobby day for Planned Parenthood. If history repeats itself, this leading provider of abortion will bring hundreds of people to the capitol to ask our law makers to turn a blind eye to the abortion industry. They will say the following:      

» Abortion is a birth control option that should be exercised as one sees fit.

» Drugs, such as emergency contraception, that have the potential to take a human life from conception, should be made more readily available — even to teenage girls.

» Legislation to encourage women to have the opportunity to see an ultrasound prior to making their decision regarding abortion, parenting or adoption is a form of coercion.

The Family Foundation counters these untruths with truth. We do this through a number of ways, especially by engaging grassroots citizen activists — for example, through our Lobby Day at the Capitol and our new Virtual Lobby Day. Now, we also are engaging pastors, encouraging them to counter untruth with prayer and presence. Thus, we are countering Planned Parenthood’s lobby day not only with our virtual lobby day (click here to learn how to participate), but with a Pastors Lobby Day. These dozens of pastors will make a big impact and be a significant contrast to the pro-abortion types patrolling the General Assembly Building’s halls on February 5.

Here’s some of the pastors’ agenda Thursday:

Nicknamed the “Committee of Death,” they will attend the Senate Education and Health Committee, which reviews all bills relating to pregnancy and abortion. Nearly every time a pro-life bill has been brought to this committee in the last decade has been defeated, refusing to recognize the sanctity of human life.

Pastors also will get an update from the patrons of positive life restoring measures introduced this session of the Virginia General Assembly. 

In addition, Bill Haywood, of Abingdon Church of Christ, also will speak. He has taken it upon himself to organize pastors in his region to defeat the Freedom of Choice Act, a federal measure that will undo nearly all laws in Virginia that protect children who seek abortions and women who might be taken advantage of in a difficult situation.  

One of the six state police chaplains who resigned when he was ordered by the Kaine administration to not pray “in Jesus name” also will speak. Pastors and lay people have rallied behind these brave chaplains and we want  everyone to continue to be engaged on this issue as we challenge the administration’s decision through corrective legislation. To cap off the day, the pastors will meet with legislators in the afternoon.

If you are a pastor who is interested, or if you think your pastor is interested, it is not too late to register. Call Suzanne at (804) 343-0010 or e-mail John Smith at john@familyfoundation.org.