A colleague recently asked me to sketch out a pro-life campaign for the next president. Here are some initial thoughts; I'd welcome your additions and comments:
“Life
for All”
Emphasis
Protecting life in law while addressing
the underlying pressures and concerns that contribute to life-dishonoring
actions such as abortion, lethal stem cell research and assisted suicide.
- Nominate SCOTUS judges who will respect Constitutional originalism, apply equal protection of law to unborn, disabled, elderly, vulnerable
- Appoint pro-life personnel in key positions (Chief of Staff, HHS, State, USAID, Educ, CDC, AG, Surgeon General, faith-based offices)
- Throughout speeches, use personal stories, quotations, evidence and contemporary examples to illustrate the worth of all human beings from beginning of life onward
Beginning of Life Issues
Work with Congress to make permanent Hyde, Weldon, and similar laws and also provide private right of action
Restore and enforce conscience regulation in healthcare, accompanied by nationwide campaign (as planned but not implemented in time by GWB HHS)
Rescind HHS abortion pill mandate
First Lady campaign highlighting work of pregnancy centers
Funding programs for medical pregnancy centers that offer ultrasound
Enforce Dickey-Wicker, increase funding for embryo-safe stem cell research
Get abortion subsidies out of international programs: restore programs such as Mexico City Policy, defund UN support of China’s one-child policy, etc.
Life-Related Issues
Exec. orders across agencies in line with RFRA (would have prevented, e.g., HHS mandate)
Work with Congress to rescind Obamacare and replace it with state high-risk pool safety nets to increase access; allow interstate insurance competition; encourage HSA’s; reform malpractice; adequately reimburse for Medicare
Fund sexual risk avoidance (abstinence) programs as most effective way to reduce unplanned pregnancies
Put real faith-based personnel in faith-based offices across agencies and make sure they have significant WH influence
Shift international health focus away from gender/abortion ideology and onto saving lives
Institute critical evaluation of international contraceptives programs safety, effectiveness and diplomatic implications
End of Life Issues
Work with Congress to update appropriately aggressive Rx of pain meds while outlawing use of federally regulated lethal meds for suicide (e.g., PRPA)
Increase focus on, possibly funding of, mental health and other programs that can prevent suicide and also highlight reasons to live
Surgeon General anti-suicide campaign combined with initiatives re: counseling and support programs
Work with Congress to pass laws
prohibiting assisted suicide incentives
Specific legislation
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