In a disturbing decision released this morning (June 29, 2020), five U.S. Supreme Court justices struck down a Louisiana law that offered the most basic of health protections for women seeking abortions.
Why would anyone – let alone the high court of the land – oppose such a commonsense law? Because, according to Dr. James Dobson, founder and president of the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute in Colorado Springs, the ‘freedom’ to execute the unborn has become this nation’s sacred cow.
What is the Louisiana case about?
The Louisiana case involved the state’s requirement that abortionists, along with other out-patient surgical locations, set-up admitting privileges at local hospitals so that in an emergency, patients could be quickly transferred for life-saving care. Unlike a similar law in Texas that was blocked, Louisiana made this requirement across the board.
Why is Louisiana’s mandate so important ?
Dr. Dobson explains further, “In 2014, Louisiana passed a law that required abortion providers to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles. This law treated abortionists the same as doctors at all other ambulatory surgical centers in Louisiana. It requires doctors to meet basic competency standards and ensures that a woman can receive treatment at a hospital in the event of post-abortion complications.”
It’s common sense. When you’re having an out-patient surgery — any kind of surgery — there’s a chance something can go wrong and you’ll need more advanced, and urgent, medical care. If your doctor has admitting privileges at a nearby hospital, you’ll get that treatment.
If your doctor does not have admitting privileges at a local hospital, good luck! Your doctor might be a quack or worse. In the case of abortionists, your doctor might be, as Dobson puts it, “an incompetent butcher.”
Not even reflective of general public opinion
A Kaiser poll found that “nearly 7 in 10 support laws that require abortions only be performed by doctors who have been granted the right to admit patients at hospitals, including 56 percent of Democrats and 82 percent of Republicans,” notes Kristan Hawkins of Students for Life.
“Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton have been used as a get-out-of-regulation free card for abortionists for almost 50 years,” Hawkins continues.
“Today’s ruling,” Hawkins says, “ignores the basic tenets of our Constitution that gives states the right to protect the lives of their citizens, including mothers and their pre-born children. This clearly will be an issue in the election as who appoints justices will be front and center in the minds of voters.”
“This was a law that everyone should have supported because everyone cares about the health and safety of women. Don’t they?,” questions Dobson. “Apparently not. It seems some would rather exempt abortionists from commonsense standards than risk forcing incompetent butchers to close their doors. And today those advocates for death found five willing allies at the U.S. Supreme Court.”
Who in the Supreme Court put women’s health in serious jeopardy?
Interestingly, the only women on the US Supreme Court —Justices Ginsburg, Sotomayor and Kagan—unanimously chose to endanger the lives of women undergoing an abortion.
Justice Breyer authored the opinion, joined by Justice Ginsburg, Justice Sotomayor, and Justice Kagan. Four votes in favor of unfettered abortion.
Chief Justice Roberts supplied the fifth vote, writing a concurring opinion in which he stated that the legal doctrine of stare decisis required him to strike down the Louisiana law.
Stare decisis is Latin and literally means “Let it stand.” It is defined by Merriam-Webster’s as “a doctrine or policy of following rules or principles laid down in previous judicial decisions unless they contravene the ordinary principles of justice.“
“This wasn’t the first time the Court has prioritized abortion over the health and safety of women,” recounts Dobson. “A similar law from Texas came before the Supreme Court in 2016 and the Court struck it down. But in that case, the liberal justices were joined by Justice Kennedy, who has since retired. Chief Justice Roberts joined the dissent in that case because he knew the Court was wrong.”
Dobson continues: “He [Chief Justice Roberts] still knows that today, writing in his concurring opinion that ‘I…continue to believe that the case was wrongly decided.’ And yet he failed to right the wrong, arguing that no ‘special circumstances’ exists that allow the Court to overturn its prior decision.
“Nonsense!” says Dobson, “It is never too late to do the right thing. It is never too late to defend innocent life. The Chief Justice fears overturning precedent… he fears upsetting the leftist press… he should instead fear God. Indeed, all of us should shudder at the thought of God’s judgment in this matter. He is full of mercy and continually calls us to repent but His justice cannot and will not tarry forever.
Judges Matter: Be informed this election!
“Four years ago, I joined others who proclaimed the importance of the 2016 election and its potential impact on the judicial system,” says Dobson. “We’ve seen what good judges can do, and what bad judges will do. The next president will likely appoint more justices to the Supreme Court and it is critical that those individuals embrace and carry out their constitutional duty. Your vote matters!
“But beyond your vote, now more than ever you need to be a light in your community. Today’s disastrous ruling is only possible in a culture that denies the intrinsic value of life. God’s truth about the sanctity of every human life must be proclaimed not only in the ballot box, but also in our homes, churches, and communities.”
RELATED RESOURCES:
- Subscribe to Catholic Business Journal because each major election year we post and email our subscribers not only Pro-Life Voter Guides and Resources, but also guides to help you choose common sense, U.S. Constitution-upholding Judges!
- Louisiana abortion law’s author denounces Supreme Court decision
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