Opinion: AG Cuccinelli's Ruling on Abortion Clinics: Positive Step, Not Answer

Virginia's Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli issued an opinion that grants the Virginia Board of Health the ability to write new regulatory policy for abortion clinics, especially those that perform first-trimester abortions.  Cuccinelli wants to see abortion made illegal, but that does not mean this new policy would be "anti-abortion."  Quite the contrary, these new policies would be a small victory on the road to ending abortion.

WASHINGTON DC (Catholic Online) - Virginia's Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli issued an opinion that grants the Virginia Board of Health the ability to write new regulatory policy for abortion clinics, especially those that perform first-trimester abortions.  In fact, only first-trimester abortions take place in a clinic setting.  All other abortions take place within a hospital, where emergency personnel and other medical professionals are on hand to assist in the event of an emergency.

Cuccinelli's ruling is a good thing for the women of Virginia.  An even better thing would be if abortions were illegal, so the abortion advocates should consider themselves lucky that all Cuccinelli is asking for is increased medical standards at abortion clinics. 

Since the Virginia Department of Health does not track statistics for medical complications associated with abortions, we do not even know how many women are in danger.  Abortion rights advocates have come out against Cuccinelli decrying that he is merely trying to shut down abortion clinics. 

Mary Kate Cary, former George W. Bush speechwriter, blogging for U.S. News & World Report, said, "I don't understand. I thought the mantra of prochoice groups is that abortion should be 'safe and legal.' If abortion clinics don't have to meet hospital-type standards, aren't they unsafe? If you're getting an abortion, don't you want your doctor to have hospital privileges in case something goes wrong?"

Cary has pointed out the reality of what motivates abortion advocates.  They do not care about the women getting the abortions any more than the babies being killed.  Instead, they care about access to abortion.  The focus centralizes on getting babies out of their way and making a lot of money in the process. 

Abortion advocates claim that as many as 17 of the state's 21 abortion clinics might shut down as a result of these new standards.  I echo Cary's question, and ask, how unprofessional and back-alley are these clinics if improving their standards to the level of other abortion facilitators will force them out of business?

Abortion advocates do, however, have good reason to think that this is a step towards a reduction in abortions.  Ken Cuccinelli is a Roman Catholic and has introduced legislation in the past that would change the landscape for how abortions are performed.  For instance, as a state senator Cuccinelli introduced legislation that would require late-term aborted fetuses to be given an anesthetic prior to the procedure. 

Again, why would abortion advocates oppose such a simple rule-change?  Even if they were sure that the fetus is a non-person that feels no pain-which would deny the scientific evidence indicating the contrary-why would they not use anesthetic just in case they are wrong?  Because, again, it is not about helping anyone-it is about increasing access to the money-making industry of legalized death.

The Catholic Church teaches that abortion "is gravely contrary to the moral law," as indicated in the Catholic Catechism.  These new rulings do not end this "grave offense," rather it makes it a bit less horrendous for the woman.  Protecting the mother from further harm is a basic act of care that should be granted universally, regardless of the trimester in which the baby is aborted. 

Cuccinelli wants to see abortion made illegal, but that does not mean this new policy would be "anti-abortion."  Quite the contrary, these new policies would be a small victory on the road to ending abortion. 

Cuccinelli's proposition reminds me of the small victories William Wilberforce had to make in the abolition of slavery in England.  He spent years fighting for small victories before the final victory came many years later.  Pro-lifers should view these types of initiatives as small victories.  The more women are seen as deserving of protection and care, eventually the baby they carry will too.  It is only a matter of time before our country loves its children once again.
-----

Billy Atwell contributes to Catholic Online, and blogs for The Point and the Manhattan Declaration. From the perspective of a two-time cancer survivor he encourages those afflicted with pain and struggling with faith. You can find all of his writings at For the Greater Glory.

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'