THE STATE OF ABORTION IN PENNSYLVANIA. 2015 REPORT: HISTORIC TRENDS, 'HOUSE OF HORRORS' AND RECORD HIGHS IN SPENDING . f.. ,.... AbortionisPersonal.org A project of the Pennsylvania Family Council "The common and statutory law of Pennsylvania shall be construed so as to extend to the unborn the equal protection of the laws and to further the public policy of this Commonwealth encouraging childbirth over abortion." - PA ABORTION CONTROL ACT P E NNSYLVAN I A Family Council Protect the family. Preserve the future~ 23 North Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17101 www.pafamily.org I (717) 545-0600 For general information: [email protected] For media or speaking requests, contact Dan Bartkowiak: [email protected] Connect with us: f PAFamily TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Report Summary 4 II. How many abortions happen in Pennsylvania? 6 i. Abortion is down in PA - What does that mean? 7 ii. How many PA laws impact abortion? 8 iii. Where do abortions happen in Pennsylvania? 9 Ill. The largest abortion provider in Pennsylvania: Planned Parenthood. 10 i. Ten Realities of Planned Parenthood 11 IV. Conclusion 13 V. Notes 14 VI. Abortion: Quarterly Facilities Report 16 THE STATE OF ABORTION IN PENNSYLVANIA- PAGE 4 REPORT SUMMARY Abortion in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania, more than any other state, has impacted the history of abortion in America. Philadelphia hosted the "Mother's Day Massacre" in 1972, when nine of 15 women were injured in testing a new, barbaric abortion procedure called the "super coil/' which lacerated the unborn with a bundle of razors. Pennsylvania brought the first state challenge to the extreme ruling of Roe v. Wade and paved the way for life-saving legislation across the country. And Pennsylvania was home to the Kermit Gosneii'House of Horrors' abortion clinic-the most horrific abortion facility yet to be exposed that It was Pennsylvania shocked the nation and shed light on the politically­ that brought the motivated decisions regarding lax clinic inspections. first state challenge Abortion in the United States peaked in 1990 and to the extreme ruling has gradually declined ever since. In Pennsylvania, of Roe v. Wade and abortion peaked a decade earlier (65,777 abortions were performed in 1980) and over the paved the way for last six years has steadily decreased-now down improvements across 17% since 2008. the country. This report makes available for the first time online the 2013 data from the '~bortion: Quarterly Facilities Report." This quarterly report is required to be filed with the Department of Health by every facility in which an induced abortion is performed within Pennsylvania. By showing these totals online we aim to bring more transparency to abortion in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania's laws-from the Abortion Control Act to abortion clinic regulations to the most recent "Chloe's Law''-have helped bring better safety measures, protections, and education to pregnant women and their families. These laws have improved the conditions surrounding abortion and have played a role in reducing the number of abortions in Pennsylvania. .. .::_.~.. f l THE STATE OF ABORTION IN PENNSYLVANIA- PAGE 5 Planned Parenthood in Pennsylvania Even with decreasing abortion rates statewide, Planned Parenthood's abortion rate is at an all-time high. Planned Parenthood is Pennsylvania's largest and most lucrative chain of abortion businesses, with 33 locations that bring in some $35 million a year. It is the abortion industry's unquestioned market leader, selling more than half of Pennsylvania's 32,000 abortions in 2013. Planned Parenthood operates under the guise of providing a wide range of women's health services but over 90% of pregnant clients-many seeking prenatal care-end up with abortions. They report Further, a significant no adoption referrals. Further, a significant portion portion of their work of their work is funded by taxpayers-funding which is now at the highest levels ever. is funded by taxpayers­ funding which is now Having pledged to spend an unprecedented $1 at the highest levels ever. million to impact Pennsylvania's 2014 elections, including electing Governor Tom Wolf, Planned Parenthood is now seeking to undermine pro-life, pro-women's health protections in our state, and is seeking even more taxpayer dollars to expand their empire. For Planned Parenthood, abortion is business. For Pennsylvania women and their families, abortion is personal. .. .::_.~.. f l THE STATE OF ABORTION IN PENNSYLVANIA- PAGE 6 HOW MANY ABORTIONS HAPPEN IN PENNSYLVANIA? 32,108-Total reported induced abortions in Pennsylvania for 2013. Each year the Department of Health reports on abortion statistics from the previous year. The latest numbers show that 32,108 abortions were performed in Pennsylvania in 2013-for the first time less than half of 1980's high point of 65,777. Abortion down 170/a since 2008. Since 2008 there has been a steady decline in abortion in Pennsylvania: 38,807 37,284 36,778 36,280 32,108 34 536 ' 32,108 ABORTIONS IN PAIN 2013 NEARLY 1 IN 5 PREGNANCIES in Pennsylvania result in an abortion.* 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 40,136- Total reported abortions from Gosnell's 'House of Horrors.' In 1993, "the Pennsylvania Department of Health abruptly decided, for political reasons, to stop inspecting abortion clinics." This allowed abortionist Kermit Gosnell to become a millionaire through his Women's Medical Society abortion Facility in Philadelphia. This Facility reported a total of 40,136 abortions From October 1988 to December 2009. On over 40,000 occasions a woman walked into his horriflc clinic for an abortion. Gosnell curren~y sits in jail serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. •source: Dept. of Health (2012)- Total Births= 140,873- Total Abortions= 33,166 .. .::_.~.. f l THE STATE OF ABORTION IN PENNSYLVANIA- PAGE 7 ABORTION IS DOWN IN PA - WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? The recent decrease in abortion in Pennsylvania can be attributed to several factors: 1. There are available alternatives to abortion. The Pennsylvania Alternative to Abortion Services Program works with social service agencies, pregnancy resource centers, maternity residences and adoption agencies to offer comprehensive, life-affirming alternatives to abortion. Also, there are 235 pregnancy resource centers across Pennsylvania-4th highest in the country.1 2. There have been signiRcant technological advancements. Ultrasound technology has been used since the 1970s, but over the last 10 years there have been significant improvements in medical imaging.2 This has led to a greater awareness of the development of a baby, and therefore of what an abortion involves. In Pennsylvania, there are 14 schools offering ultrasound degrees-4th highest in the country. And PA has the 5th highest employment rate of ultrasound technicians and diagnostic medical sonographers in the nation. 3. There's less of a stigma surrounding single parenting. The number of single parent families raising children in PA increased by 12% from 2000 to 2010.3 Less than half of U.S. children now live with their married parents and 26% of children are being raised by single parents. 4. Some abortion clinics have closed. The nHouse of Horrors» clinic was closed in 2010. And since 2011, there have been at least five abortion clinic shutdowns in Pennsylvania. 5. There's been a debate surrounding late-term abortions. The violent nature of abortion has been laid bare through medical imagery and public discourse, encouraging many to contemplate the humanity of the unborn. 6. More Pennsylvanians are pro-life. In 1996, Gallup polls showed 33% of Americans identified as pro-life with 56% as pro-choice. In 2013, the figures have shifted to 48% pro-life and 45% pro-choice:" .. .::_.~.. f l THE STATE OF ABORTION IN PENNSYLVANIA- PAGE 8 HOW MANY PA LAWS IMPACT ABORTION? PA Abortion Control Act: On November 18, 1989, Governor Bob Casey signed into law Pennsylvania's Abortion Control Act. This monumental law was the first action by any state to put safety restrictions on abortion since Roe v. Wade. After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Pianned Parenthood v. Casey in 1992, it upheld most of the law. The following provisions stand to this day: 1. Waiting Period - There must be a 24-hour waiting period between the flrst visit and the performing of an abortion. 2. Parental Consent- A minor must have consent from a parent or guardian before moving forward with an abortion. 3. Informed Consent - Speciflc information must be presented by an abortion clinic so the pregnant woman knows she can learn more about the unborn child and that medical assistance beneRts may be available to help with prenatal, childbirth and neonatal care. 4. Reporting- Clinics must report to the state on their abortion activity. 5. Public Funding- No tax dollars are used to fund abortions, with three exceptions (pregnancies resulting from rape or incest, or which threaten the life of the mother). 6. Sex-selective abortions- No abortion may be performed due to the sex of the child. Z 24-weeks Limit - No abortion may be performed after the 6th month of gestation, with an exception to save the mother from death or uirreversible impairment of a major bodily function." Act 122 It was only after Kermit Gosnell's arrest and his Facility's closure (due to a police raid on suspicion of selling illegal drugs) that Pennsylvania laws were changed to make sure abortion Facilities are inspected regularly. After nearly a year of debate, in December 2011 the legislature passed Senate Bill 732, bringing any abortion Facility up to the same rules and safety regulations as every other ambulatory surgical Facility in the state. This law, Act 122, took effect in June 2012. Other PA Laws: Chloe's Law (Act 130- 2014) Mandates that specific information be presented to Families when their baby is diagnosed with Down Syndrome.