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Page 1 of 12 15333 Culver Dr, Ste. 340-819 Irvine, CA 92604 949.734.0859 CMP.org SPECIAL REPORT: PLANNED PARENTHOOD’S PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION BUSINESS 22 January 2019 Overview Planned Parenthood is the biggest abortion provider in America. As a franchise of over 50 regional affiliates overseen by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the organization is responsible for over 330,000 abortions every year, making up over a third of the national market. Many Planned Parenthood locations, including its flagship Margaret Sanger Clinic in New York City, commit abortions for any reason up to 6 months of pregnancy. 1 Planned Parenthood abortion doctors readily admit that their late-term abortion procedures present ethical and legal dilemmas that even professional abortionists find challenging. 2 The ever-increasing size and familiarity of the second trimester fetus blurs the line between abortion and infanticide for even the most hardened professionals, and preterm infants have now been recorded as surviving as early as 5 months. 3 This is nowhere more readily apparent than in the grotesque partial-birth abortion procedure method, in which a living fetus is extracted intact from the womb only to be killed in the process of delivery. The concern to draw a bright line in the law between elective abortion and infanticide led Congress to enact the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act in 2003, which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld in 2007. The federal partial-birth abortion (PBA) law prohibits procedures where a fetus, while still alive, is partially delivered, with the intent to take action to kill the fetus after he or she has been delivered to certain anatomical landmarks: (a) Any physician who, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, knowingly performs a partial-birth abortion and thereby kills a human fetus shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both. [...] (b) As used in this section— (1) the term “partial-birth abortion” means an abortion in which the person performing the abortion— (A) deliberately and intentionally vaginally delivers a living fetus until, in the case of a head-first presentation, the entire fetal head is outside the body of the mother, or, in the 1 https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/new-york/new-york/10012/margaret-sanger-center-3325-91110/abortion 2 Harris, Lisa H. “Second Trimester Abortion Provision: Breaking the Silence and Changing the Discourse,” Reproductive Health Matters, 2 Sept 2008. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1016/S0968-8080(08)31396-2 3 Stoll et al, “Trends in Care Practices, Morbidity, and Mortality of Extremely Preterm Neonates, 1993—2012,” JAMA, 11 March 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4787615/
Transcript of SPECIAL REPORT: PLANNED PARENTHOOD’S …...market. Many Planned Parenthood locations, including...
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15333 Culver Dr, Ste. 340-819 Irvine, CA 92604
949.734.0859 CMP.org
SPECIALREPORT:PLANNEDPARENTHOOD’SPARTIAL-BIRTHABORTIONBUSINESS22January2019
Overview
PlannedParenthoodisthebiggestabortionproviderinAmerica.Asafranchiseofover50
regionalaffiliatesoverseenbyPlannedParenthoodFederationofAmerica,theorganizationis
responsibleforover330,000abortionseveryyear,makingupoverathirdofthenational
market.ManyPlannedParenthoodlocations,includingitsflagshipMargaretSangerClinicin
NewYorkCity,commitabortionsforanyreasonupto6monthsofpregnancy.1
PlannedParenthoodabortiondoctorsreadilyadmitthattheirlate-termabortionprocedures
presentethicalandlegaldilemmasthatevenprofessionalabortionistsfindchallenging.2The
ever-increasingsizeandfamiliarityofthesecondtrimesterfetusblursthelinebetween
abortionandinfanticideforeventhemosthardenedprofessionals,andpreterminfantshave
nowbeenrecordedassurvivingasearlyas5months.3
Thisisnowheremorereadilyapparentthaninthegrotesquepartial-birthabortionprocedure
method,inwhichalivingfetusisextractedintactfromthewombonlytobekilledinthe
processofdelivery.Theconcerntodrawabrightlineinthelawbetweenelectiveabortionand
infanticideledCongresstoenactthePartial-BirthAbortionBanActin2003,whichtheU.S.
SupremeCourtupheldin2007.Thefederalpartial-birthabortion(PBA)lawprohibits
procedureswhereafetus,whilestillalive,ispartiallydelivered,withtheintenttotakeactionto
killthefetusafterheorshehasbeendeliveredtocertainanatomicallandmarks:
(a)Anyphysicianwho,inoraffectinginterstateorforeigncommerce,knowinglyperformsapartial-birthabortionandtherebykillsahumanfetusshallbefinedunderthistitleorimprisonednotmorethan2years,orboth.[...](b)Asusedinthissection—(1)theterm“partial-birthabortion”meansanabortioninwhichthepersonperformingtheabortion—(A)deliberatelyandintentionallyvaginallydeliversalivingfetusuntil,inthecaseofahead-firstpresentation,theentirefetalheadisoutsidethebodyofthemother,or,inthe
1https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/new-york/new-york/10012/margaret-sanger-center-3325-91110/abortion
2Harris,LisaH.“SecondTrimesterAbortionProvision:BreakingtheSilenceandChangingtheDiscourse,”ReproductiveHealthMatters,2Sept2008.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1016/S0968-8080(08)31396-23Stolletal,“TrendsinCarePractices,Morbidity,andMortalityofExtremelyPretermNeonates,1993—2012,”JAMA,11March2016.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4787615/
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caseofbreechpresentation,anypartofthefetaltrunkpastthenavelisoutsidethebodyofthemother,forthepurposeofperforminganovertactthatthepersonknowswillkillthepartiallydeliveredlivingfetus;and(B)performstheovertact,otherthancompletionofdelivery,thatkillsthepartiallydeliveredlivingfetus;18U.S.C.1531.Partial-birthabortionsprohibited.4
Althoughfederallawhasprohibitedpartial-birthabortionsfor12years,CMP’sinvestigative
journalismsurfacedtroublingadmissionsthatPlannedParenthood—thebiggestabortion
businessinthecountry—hasneverhonestlyattemptedtocomplywiththelawandhasinstead
activelycircumventedit.Onundercoverfootage,PlannedParenthoodmedicaldirectorsand
executivesdescribedabortionsinvolvingintact,livingfetusesandproceduresidenticaltothose
prohibitedbylaw—andtheyroutinelypointedtospecificPlannedParenthoodprotocolsas
providingthelegalloopholetodoso.Newprimary-sourcedocuments,neverbeforereleased
publicly,nowcorroboratethesestatementsonthevideos,whichafederalappealscourt
recentlyruledwereevidencethatPlannedParenthoodcommitscriminalpartial-birth
abortions.5TheongoingrevelationsaboutPlannedParenthood’sparticipationinharvestingand
sellingabortedbabybodypartsshowtheincentivesthatmajorabortioncentershavetoresort
toillegalmethodssuchasPBA,andincreasetheurgencyforU.S.DepartmentofJusticeand
otherenforcementagenciestoholdBigAbortionaccountabletothelaw.
PlannedParenthood’sAdmissionsonUndercoverVideo
AtabusinesslunchmeetingonJuly25,2014,PlannedParenthood’sthen-SeniorDirectorof
MedicalServices,Dr.DeborahNucatola,describedtopotentialbabybodypartsharvestersthe
customtechniquesthatsheandotherPlannedParenthoodabortionproviderscouldusetoget
moreintactbodypartsfromlatetermabortions:
PPFA:I’dsayalotofpeoplewantliver.Andforthatreason,mostproviderswilldothiscaseunderultrasoundguidance,sothey’llknowwherethey’reputtingtheirforceps.Thekindofrate-limitingstepoftheprocedureisthecalvarium,theheadisbasicallythebiggestpart.Mostoftheotherstuffcancomeoutintact.It’sveryraretohaveapatientthatdoesn’thaveenoughdilationtoevacuatealltheotherpartsintact.Buyer:Tobringthebodycavityoutintactandallthat?PPFA:Exactly.Sothenyou’rejustkindofcognizantofwhereyouputyourgraspers,youtrytointentionallygoaboveandbelowthethorax,sothat,youknow,we’vebeenverygoodatgettingheart,lung,liver,becauseweknow,soI’mnotgonnacrushthatpart,I’mgoingtobasicallycrushbelow,I’mgonnacrushabove,andI’mgonnaseeifIcangetitallintact.Andwiththecalvarium,ingeneral,somepeoplewillactuallytrytochange
4https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1531
5page9,PlannedParenthoodetalv.Smith(17-50282),5th
CircuitCourtofAppeals,17Jan2019.
http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/17/17-50282-CV0.pdf
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thepresentationsothatit’snotvertex,becausewhenit’svertexpresentation,youneverhaveenoughdilationatthebeginningofthecase,unlessyouhavereal,hugeamountofdilationtodeliveranintactcalvarium.Soifyoudoitstartingfromthebreechpresentation,there’sdilationthathappensasthecasegoeson,andoften,thelast,youcanevacuateanintactcalvariumattheend.SoImeantherearecertainlystepsthatcanbetakentotrytoensure—Buyer:Sotheycanconverttobreech,forexampleatthestartofthe—PPFA:Exactly,exactly.Underultrasoundguidance,theycanjustchangethepresentation.6
Shockingly,theseriesofstepsthatPlannedParenthood’sSeniorDirectorofMedicalServices
described—flippingthefetustoafeet-firstpresentation,carefullypullingthebodyoutintactin
ordertograduallyincreasethedilationofthepatient’scervix,andfinallybeingabletoremove
eventhefetalheadinonepiece—matchesuppreciselywiththelegalandclinicdefinitionsof
partial-birthabortion.7
Dr.Nucatolastatedthatusingthismethodofabortiontoobtainintactfetalbodyparts,“We’vebeenprettysuccessfulwiththat,I’dsay.”8
6Dr.DeborahNucatolaconversationwithundercoverinvestigators,25July2014:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMX7gIPEVss
7AttachmentA:ComparisonofPartial-BirthAbortionDescriptions
8SeeDr.Nucatolaconversation25July2014,http://www.centerformedicalprogress.org/wp-
content/uploads/2015/05/PPFAtranscript072514_final.pdfandhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4UjIM9B9KQ
Fig. 1: PPFA Senior Director of Medical Services describes partial-birth abortions to harvest body parts, 2014.
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ThiswasnottheonlytimethatPlannedParenthoodmedicaldirectorsinformedCMP
investigatorsthatlate-termfetusescouldbedeliveredintactatPlannedParenthoodfacilitiesin
theinterestsofobtainingmoremarketablebodyparts.OnFebruary28,2015,Dr.Jennefer
Russo,theMedicalDirectorofPlannedParenthoodOrange&SanBernardinoCounties,told
CMPinvestigators,“Ithink,mostofushavetrainedtonothavefullintactspecimens,”butadmitted,“Ithappenssometimes,butit’sprettyrare.But,wetry,”whendiscussingPPOSBC’srelationshipsupplyingfetalorgansandtissuestobabybodypartssalescompaniesDaVinci
BiosciencesandDVBiologics.9
TheDVCompaniesweresuccessfullyprosecutedin2017bytheOrangeCountyDistrict
AttorneyforsellingabortedfetalbodypartsfromPlannedParenthoodforprofitagainst
Californiaandfederallaw.Thecompaniesadmittedguiltina$7.8millionsettlement,andthe
OrangeCountyDistrictAttorneycreditedCMP’sundercovervideoworkforpromptingthe
successfulcase.10
OtherPlannedParenthoodmedicaldirectorsconfirmedthatthedeliveryofanintactfetusis
somethingthatcanpredictablyoccurinthepracticeof2nd-trimesterabortion.OnApril7,2015,
Dr.SavitaGinde,theVicePresidentandChiefMedicalOfficerofPlannedParenthoodofthe
RockyMountains,toldCMPinvestigatorsinquiringabout2nd-trimesterproceduresatherclinic
that,“Intactislessthan10%,”andremarked,“Sometimes,weget,ifsomeonedeliversbeforeweareabletoseethemforaprocedurethentheyareintact.”11
9Dr.JenneferRussoconversationwithundercoverattendeesatPlannedParenthoodMedicalDirectorsConference,27February2015:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w8oLs6VsFs10Langhorne,Daniel,“Firmsreach$7.8millionsettlementoverallegationsofsellingfetaltissue,”LosAngelesTimes,9Dec2017.
https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-fetal-tissue-20171209-story.html
SeealsoOCDAPressRelease:http://orangecountyda.org/civica/press/display.asp?Entry=540611Dr.SavitaGindeconversationwithundercoverinvestigatorsatPlannedParenthoodRockyMountains,7April2015:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8QOC20DiPY
Fig. 2: Diagram of the typical partial-birth abortion procedure
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Ofnote,feticideslikedigoxincannotbeusedinanabortionthatwillyieldfetalbodypartsfor
saleandexperimentation,becausethedigoxinkillsthetissuesandcellsandrendersthem
biologicallyinert.
Feticideslikedigoxintypicallyservetwopurposesforabortionproviders.Thefederalpartial-
birthabortionbanisonlyoperativeifthefetusisaliveatthetimeofthepartial-deliveryduring
theabortion.Itdoesnotapplytoafetuswhoisalreadydeadatthetimetheprocedureis
done—forexample,ifthefetushasbeenkilledusingafeticidelikedigoxin.Ifthefetushasbeen
killedwithdigoxinbeforetheabortion,italsoobviatestheproblemofanintactfetusbeing
aliveoutsidethewombandtheproviderbeinginvolvedinafetalhomicide.12
WhenDr.RussoremarkedonbeingabletoobtainfullyintactfetusesatPPOSBC,shealso
statedthatPPOSBCwasnotusingdigoxintokillthefetusbeforetheabortion,becausethere
was“anationwideshortageofdig[oxin].”
Dr.Nucatolaexplainedthatmanyabortionprovidersturnedtodigoxininthewakeofthe
federalPBAlawinordertoensurecompliancewiththelaw.Butshealsodescribedasecond
wayPlannedParenthooddoctorsmightapproachtheproblemincaseswheredigoxinwasnot
used:
Providerswhousedigoxinusitforoneoftworeasons.There’sagroupofpeoplewhouseitsotheyhavenoriskofviolatingtheFederalAbortionBan.Becauseifyouinduceademisebeforetheprocedure,nobody’sgoingtosayyoudida“live”—whateverthefederalgovernmentcallsit.“Partial-birthabortion.”It’snotamedicalterm,itdoesn’texistinreality.Sosomepeopleuseittoavoidprovidinga“partial-birthabortion.”[…]TheFederalAbortionBanisalaw,andlawsareuptointerpretation.Sotherearesomepeoplewhointerpretitas,it'sintent.SoifIsayonDay1,Idonotintendtodothis,whatultimatelyhappensdoesn’tmatter.BecauseIdidn’tintendtodothisonDay1soI’mcomplyingwiththelaw.”13
Dr.SuziePrabhakaran,theVPofMedicalAffairsforPlannedParenthoodofSouthwestand
CentralFloridaexplainedthisPlannedParenthood“intent”loopholeforthepartial-birth
abortionbanasa“checkbox”thatabortionproviderssimplyhavetomarkinthepatientrecord:
“So,like,there'slikeacheckboxthatsays,“Iintendtou”--soitwouldbebeforetheprocedure,youdoyourevaluation,youwrite,‘Iintendtoutilizedismembermenttechniquesforthisprocedure.’”14
TramNguyen,theSurgicalCenterAdministratorforPlannedParenthoodGulfCoast,toldCMP
investigatorsonApril9,2015:“Wecannotreallyintendtocompletetheprocedureintact—you12SeeSocietyofFamilyPlanningClinicalguidelinesfor“Inductionoffetaldemisebeforeabortion”
https://www.contraceptionjournal.org/article/S0010-7824(10)00019-3/pdfand“Laborinductionabortioninthesecondtrimester”
https://www.contraceptionjournal.org/article/S0010-7824(11)00057-6/pdf13Dr.DeborahNucatolaconversationwithundercoverinvestigators,25July2014:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w6f_c0DReE
14Dr.SuziePrabhakaranconversationwithundercoverattendeesatPlannedParenthoodMedicalDirectorsConference,
27February2015:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-JZU7ckYTY
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can'tintendto,butithappens.”15NguyenconfirmedthatPPGCabortionprovidersusean
“intentstatement”tosimply“document”anon-culpablepurposebeforetheabortion,
regardlessoftheactualconductoftheprocedureitself:“There’sanintentstatementwhichyouhavetodocument.”ThefederalFifthCircuitCourtofAppealsfoundtheseadmissionswere
evidenceofPlannedParenthood’sviolationofthefederalpartial-birthabortionban,finding
thatNguyen“stated,sarcastically,thatwhilefederallaw(prohibitingpartialbirthabortions)
restrictsafacilityfromintentionallyretrievinganintactfetus,PPGCcanmakeithappenby
signingaformthattheydidnotso‘intend.’”16
PlannedParenthood’sManualofMedicalStandards&Guidelines
Forthefirsttime,CMPisnowreleasingprimarysourcePPFAdocumentsthatconfirmthe
existenceofthe“intentstatement”loopholeforthepartial-birthabortionlawthatPlanned
Parenthoodmedicaldirectorsfrequentlyinvoked.Thisso-called“documentation”requirement
asprescribedbyPPFAiscompletelyuntetheredfromtheactualrequirementsofthefederallaw,
andindicatesthatPlannedParenthoodismoreintentoncircumventingthelawthanfollowing
itfaithfully.
PlannedParenthoodFederationofAmericapublishesanationalManualofMedicalStandards&
Guidelines,whichsetstheoperatingprotocolsforallPlannedParenthoodlocationsnationwide.
TheSeniorDirectorofMedicalServicesisresponsibleformaintainingtheManualofMedical
Standards&Guidelines(MS&Gs).17The2014versionpresentedinthisreleasewasmaintained
byPlannedParenthood’sthen-SeniorDirectorofMedicalServices,Dr.DeborahNucatola,and
wascontrollingatthetimethemedicaldirectorsmadetheirstatementsonundercovervideo.
WhiletheMS&GsStandardsforsurgicalabortionstatethat“Mid-trimesterabortionmustbeperformedinamannerthatcomplieswiththefederalPartialBirthAbortionBanActof2003
(the‘federalabortionban’),”18theStandardsandGuidelinesforthemedicalrecordsofthe
abortionofferPlannedParenthoodabortiondoctorsaloopholetofeigncompliancewiththe
PBAlaw.TheabortionrecordsStandardsrequire“DocumentationoftheFederalAbortionBan
at2stages,”19suchthatthePlannedParenthoodabortiondoctorfirst:
Priortoabortionprocedure,mustdocumentintenttocomplywithFederalAbortionBan• Byuseoffetocide• Byumibilicalcordinterruption• Byplantoevacuatetheuterususingmultiplepasses[oftheforceps]toremove
thefetusinmultipleparts• Byplantoevacuateuterusentirelywithsuction
15TramNguyenconversationwithundercoverinvestigatorsatPlannedParenthoodGulfCoast,9April2015:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7sHYoVQneI16page9,PlannedParenthoodetalv.Smithetal,5th
Circuit(17-50282).17http://www.centerformedicalprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2014-PPFA-MSGs-Parts-1-3-Archive-with-Errata-NMC-2014-
Recommendations.pdf18MS&GsPart2,Chapter1,Section1.2.5.I.C,page127
19MS&GsPart1,Chapter5,Table5.2.a,pages48-49
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• Other(describe)
Andthensecond:
Aftercompletionofabortionprocedure,mustdocumentthatfetaldemiseoccurredbeforetheprocedureorbeforepassageoftheanatomicallandmarksoutlinedintheFederalAbortionBanandtechniqueemployed–optionsinclude:
• Ultrasoundpriortotheprocedureconfirmedabsenceoffetalcardiacactivity• Umbilicalcordwastransectedandlackofpulsationwasconfirmedpriorto
procedure(bypalpationorultrasound)• Multiplepasseswereusedtoremovethefetusinmultipleparts• Theuteruswasevacuatedentirelywithsuction• Other(describe)
Astandardforauthenticmedicalrecordswouldsimplyrequirethatthedoctorrecordwhat
actuallyhappensintheabortionprocedure.Arequirementthattheabortionprovider“mustdocument”acleanoutcomeinthemedicalrecordaftertheabortionprocedureisawayto
ensurethatregardlessofwhatactuallyhappensintheabortion,PlannedParenthood’srecord
willappearspotless.Thefederal5thCircuitCourtofAppealsquestionedthissurprisingaspectof
PPFA’sMedicalStandards&Guidelineswhenitwasraisedatarecenthearing,sayingofthe
federalPartial-BirthAbortionban’:“Wellit’snotamatterof‘documenting’it,it’scomplyingwiththeactualityofit.”20
Thisisthesame“intent”documentationthatDr.Prabhakarandescribedassimplya“checkbox,”
andwhichDr.Nucatola,theauthoroftheMS&Gs,explainedsaying,“SoifIsayonDay1,‘Idonotintendtodothis,’whatultimatelyhappensdoesn’tmatter.”
WhilePPFA’sManualofStandards&Guidelineslaysoutsuchanelaboratepaperworkscheme
todealwiththepartial-birthabortionlaw,theManualhasnosimilarrequirementsorprotocols
to“documentcompliance”withthefederalBorn-AliveInfantsProtectionActorstatefetal
homicidelaws.Yetsurprisingly,theManualofStandards&Guidelinessectionsandforms
dealingwithlater2nd-trimesterabortionsactuallystatethatlaboranddeliveryisadistinct
possibilityinPlannedParenthood’slate-termabortionpractice.
TheMS&Gsstatethatusingdigoxin(absentinfetalorganandtissueharvestingcases)
“decreasestheriskofalivebirth”,butthesameMS&Gsmanualalsonotesthatdigoxinmayfail
tokillthefetusin8%ofcases,potentiallyupto15%ofcasesdependingonthedosage.21The
MS&Gsfurtherstatethat“Onsetoflabor–canresultindeliveryoutsidethePPhealthfacility”22insomebotcheddigoxincases,andthatlaboranddelivery“beforethein-clinicabortion”isa
2028:50inrecordingof5
thCircuitargumentPlannedParenthoodv.Smith,17-50282,June4,2018:
http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/OralArgRecordings/17/17-50282_6-4-2018.MP321SeeMS&Gs“ClientInformationforInformedConsentDigoxin”,page807,andPart2,Chapter1,Table1.4.a,Topic“RisksandSideEffectsof
Digoxin”,page14122SeeMS&GsPart2,Chapter1,Table1.4.a,“RisksandSideEffectsofDigoxin”
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possibleoutcomeofPlannedParenthood’scervicalpreparationprotocolsfor2nd-trimester
abortion.23
Indeed,duringapresentationatPlannedParenthood’sMedicalDirectorsCouncilconferencein
2015,onemedicaldirectorasked,“Wasthereanydifferencewithexpulsionrate?”withnewexperimentalcervicaldilationprotocolsbeforeabortion,comparedwith“usingmiso[prostol]thatnextday,becausethat’swhenweseeourexpulsions.”ACMPinvestigatoraskedDr.
Nucatola,“Thosearefetal,ordilator,expulsions?”andDr.Nucatolareplied,“Fetal.”Chillingly,thepresenter,Dr.AlisaGoldbergofPlannedParenthoodofMassachusetts,answeredthe
audiencequestionthisway:“Wehadonepatientinthemiso,inthemiso[prostol]armwhowasintheprocessofexpelling[thefetus],andshewentintotheprocedureroomandhadtheprocedurecompletedsoshedidn’tquiteexpel.”24Theseappeartobeprimafacieadmissionsof
illegalpartial-birthabortionandborn-aliveinfantcases.
Alsoshockingly,Dr.NucatolatestifiedbeforetheHouseEnergy&CommerceCommittee’s
SelectInvestigativePanelontheissueoffetusesdeliveredaliveduringalate-termabortion
procedurethat“ouraffiliatesdon’tprovideobstetricalcase.Sotherefore,theydon’tknowhowtomanageaterminfantoraprematureinfant.”25However,PlannedParenthood’snationalmedicalprotocoldocumentsandthecandidstatementsofitsmedicaldirectorsindicatethat
thebirthsofprematureinfantsduringabortionproceduresarepredictableandanticipated.
Partial-BirthAbortionandPlannedParenthood’sBabyBodyPartsBusiness
ThebusinessrelationshipthatPlannedParenthoodestablishedwithfetalorganandtissue
procurementcompanieslikeStemExpress,AdvancedBioscienceResources,andNovogenix
LaboratoriesprovidedfinancialincentivesforPlannedParenthoodabortionprovidestotake
advantageoftheloopholesintheManualofMedicalStandards&Guidelinestocommitpartial-
birthabortionsandobtainmoreintact,marketablefetalbodyparts.
Forexample,PlannedParenthoodMarMontesignedacontractwithStemExpressinwhich
StemExpresswouldonlypayPlannedParenthoodMarMontefor“productsofconception”—definedinthecontractas“anyfetalorgan”—thatwere“determinedintheclinictobeusable.”26Meanwhile,PlannedParenthoodPacificSouthwestwasonlypaidunderitscontract
withABRforeachfetalspecimenactually“providedtoABR,”whichABR’scontracttemplate
clarifiesmeans“providedtoandusedbyABR.”Thesequalifiersmeanthatevenifapregnant
womanconsentstofetaltissueprocurementfromherabortion,PlannedParenthoodwillnot
getpaidifStemExpressorABRcannotobtainanysaleable“productsofconception”fromher
abortion.
23SeeMS&Gs“ClientInformationforInformedConsentOpeningtheCervixwithDilatorsand/orPills”,page812
24presentationofDr.AlisaGoldberg,“OptimizingcervicalpreparationbeforesecondtrimesterD&E,”recordedatPlannedParenthoodMedical
DirectorsConference,27February2015:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0jcHE0aHrk25page22ofSelectInvestigativePanelFinalReport:https://archives-
energycommerce.house.gov/sites/republicans.energycommerce.house.gov/files/documents/Select_Investigative_Panel_Final_Report.pdf26AttachmentB:PlannedParenthoodContractswithFetalOrganandTissueProcurementCompanies
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ABR’sandStemExpress’customerdemandtypicallyrequireslate2nd-trimesterabortedfetal
organsandtissues.Inordertohaveviablestemcells,thebodypartsfromtheabortedfetus
mustbeasintactaspossibleandafeticidelikedigoxincannothavebeenusedtokillthefetus
beforetheabortionprocedure.Highqualityorgansarealsoeasiertoidentifyandmorelikelyto
beharvestedfromafetusthatisabortedintact,insteadofafetusthatistornapartthrougha
dismembermentabortionprocedure.
SincePlannedParenthoodonlygetspaidforthefetalspecimensthatare“usable”bythe
procurementcompanies,andStemExpressandABRneedviable,intact,late-termbodyparts,
contractssuchasthesecreateaperfectstormofmarketdemandtomakeillegalpartial-birth
abortionsandevenborn-aliveinfantcasesfarmorelikelyanddesirable.
CateDyer,theCEOandfounderofStemExpress,admittedthistoCMPinvestigatorsinMay
2015:“Ohyeah,Imean,ifyouhaveintactcases,whichwe’vedonealot,wesometimesshipthosebacktoourlabinitsentirety.”27HollyO’Donnell,aformerprocurementtechnicianfor
StemExpress,alsotestifiedthatsheobservedthispractice:“IrememberitwasmydayoffandIwentonmylaptopandAIMpoppedupandtheywereworking.AndIreadamessagesayingthatthedoctorhadabortedafullyintactfetus,fullyintact.AndStemExpresswassendingitstraighttothelab.”28
27CateDyerconversationwithundercoverinvestigators,22May2015:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2-ZE0JTxgw
28HollyO’Donnellinterview,27December2014:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzMAycMMXp8
Fig. 3: StemExpress founder & CEO Cate Dyer admits shipping intact fetuses back to laboratory, 2015.
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ThiswasnottheonlytimeaprocurementcompanyworkingwithPlannedParenthood
describedexperienceswithfetusesbeingdeliveredaliveinanabortionclinic.InJune2013,ABR
ProcurementManagerPerrinLartontoldanundercoveractor:
Iliterallyhavehadwomencomeinandthey’llgointheOR,andthey’rebackoutin3minutes,andI’mgoing,“What’sgoin’on?”“Ohyeah,thefetuswasalreadyinthevaginalcanal,wheneverweputherinthestirrups,itjustfellout.”29
Itiscriticaltorememberthattheabortioncasesslatedforbodypartsharvestingdescribedby
procurementcompanyrepresentativesareallcaseswherethefetuscannothavebeenkilled
beforetheprocedurebydigoxin,andthereforeisaliveatthetimeofdelivery.
Dr.KatharineSheehanisthelongtimeMedicalDirectorforPlannedParenthoodofthePacific
Southwestwhostillprovidesabortionsfortheaffiliate.InMarch2004duringthefederal
Partial-BirthAbortionlawsuits,Dr.Sheehantestifiedunderoaththatfetusescomingout
completelyintactduringtheabortionprocedurewasapredictablepartofherlate-term
abortionpracticeatPlannedParenthoodPacificSouthwest:30
29PerrinLartonconversationwithundercoverattendeesatInternationalSocietyofStemCellResearchmeeting,13June,2013:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWJb78ynVT830PlannedParenthoodv.Ashcroft,transcriptofproceedingsMarch30,2004:http://www.priestsforlife.org/pba/caday2.pdf
Fig. 4: ABR Procurement Manager Perrin Larton says she saw live fetuses born in the clinics, 2013.
Page11of12
Q.Dr.Sheehan,haveyoueverhadasituationwherethefetuscomesoutintactorpartiallyintact?A.Yes,Ihave.Q.Andhowoftendoesthatoccur?A.Itcomesoutpartiallyintactveryfrequently;completelyintact,lessso.JustlastweekIwasworkingwitharesidentfromUCSD,andwehadthreeofour12casesproceedsothatthebodyofthefetuscameoutcompletelyintact.Q.Doyouhaveapreferenceastowhetherthefetuscomesoutintactorpartiallyintact?A.Idefinitelydo.Ipreferitcomeoutintact.(Dr.SheehanDirectExamination,188:5-15)
Q.AretheresituationswhereyouweredoingaD&Eandtherewassufficientdilationtoremovethefetus,exceptforthehead?A.Yes.Q.Anddoesithappen--howoftendoesthathappen?A.Thathappensfairlyfrequently.Infact,IhavebeenworkingwitharesidentfromUCSD,asIalludedearlier,andjustlastweekthreeofour12proceduresproceededinthisway.Q.Andwhyisitfrequentthatthefetusemergesexceptforthehead?A.Theheadisthelargestpartofthefetalbody.Q.Andwhatdoyoudowhenthathappens?Whatisyourprocedure?A.Typically,Icontinuetoputtractiononthefetalbody.Ifitisabletoslidethroughthecervicalaperture,thenitwill.(Dr.SheehanDirectExamination,193:5-21)
Q.AndMr.Simpsonalsoaskedyouaseriesofquestionsaboutthepercentoftimewhenyouwereabletoremovethefetusintact.Doyourememberthatseriesofquestions?A.Yes.Q.AndIbelieveyouindicateditwasonepercentofthetime?A.Yes.Q.Inthatlineofquestioning,whatdidyoumeanby"intact”?A.Imeanwhentheentirefetusiscompletelyintact.Q.Sodoestheonepercentincludethesituationwherethefetusisremoveduptotheneckandthenafurtherprocedureisusedtocomplete–A.No,Imeanthefetusisentirelyintactwhenit'sextracted.(Dr.SheehanRedirect,271:20-272:8)
Dr. Sheehan at a PPPS event, 2016.
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Accordingtohermedicallicense,Dr.SheehanisstillpracticingatPlannedParenthoodPacific
SouthwestinSanDiego.31IfanyoftheabortionsDr.Sheehandescribedinsworntestimony
weretoyieldfetaltissueforABR(whichhadalreadybeenworkingwithPPPSfor5yearsatthe
timeofDr.Sheehan’stestimony),thefetuswasaliveatthetimeoftheabortionprocedureand
these“intact”fetusesrepresentpartial-birthabortions,andinthecaseofafetus“entirely
intact,”aborn-aliveinfant.
ApplyingDr.Sheehan’s1%rateof“entirelyintact”fetuses,statedinhertestimony,toPPPS’s
17,000abortionsperyearyieldsanestimateof170born-aliveinfantsperyearatPlanned
ParenthoodPacificSouthwestbetweentheSanDiegoandRiversideabortioncenters.
Conclusion
InDecember2016,theSenateJudiciaryCommitteeandtheHouseSelectInvestigativePanel
madecriminalreferralsofPlannedParenthoodandtheprocurementcompaniestotheFBIand
theU.S.DepartmentofJusticeforsellingabortedfetalorgansandtissuesforprofit32,andin
December2017,DOJannouncedthatPlannedParenthoodandtheprocurementcompanies
wereunderactiveinvestigation.33Asthefederalappealscourtshavenowconfirmed,CMP’s
undercoverevidenceindicatesthatPlannedParenthoodalsoviolatesthepartial-birthabortion
law.ThecorroboratingdocumentsfromPlannedParenthood’slate-termabortionprotocols
makeitimperativethatlawenforcementandregulatoryauthoritiestakeintoaccountthe
severeviolationofhumanrightsanddignitythatthisdisturbingpartofPlannedParenthood’s
abortionbusinessrepresents.
31LicenseG30650forDr.KatharineSheehan,registeredatcorporateaddressofPlannedParenthoodPacificSouthwest,
https://search.dca.ca.gov/details/8002/G/30650/ab25943ae8b1f011a1db0f9a1cb3f53932Seehttps://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-refers-planned-parenthood-fetal-tissue-procurement-organizations-fbi
andhttps://archives-energycommerce.house.gov/news-center/press-releases/select-panel-refers-numerous-entities-further-investigation-
possible33Fandos,Nicholas,“JusticeDept.investigatingFetalTissueTransfersbyPlannedParenthoodandOthers,”TheNewYorkTimes,8Dec2017.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/08/us/politics/planned-parenthood-fetal-tissue-transfers-federal-investigation.html
ATTACHMENTA:COMPARISONOFPARTIAL-
BIRTHABORTIONDESCRIPTIONS
1992Dr.M
artinHaskell(NAFClinicalPaper)
2003Partial-BirthAbortionBan
Act(18USC1531)
2014PPFASeniorDirectorofM
edicalServices
Step1:Ultrasound
Guidance
…placesanultrasoundprobeonthepatient's
abdomenandscansthefetus…
Theterm‘partial-birth
abortion’meansanabortion
inwhich…
“…mostprovidersw
illdothiscaseunderultrasoundguidance…
Step2:Graspbaby’slegswith
forceps
Thesurgeonintroducesalargegraspingforcep…
Baseduponhisknow
ledgeoffetalorientation,hem
ovesthetipoftheinstrum
entcarefullytowardsthefetallow
erextrem
ities.Whentheinstrum
entappearsonthesonogram
screen,thesurgeonisabletoopenandcloseitsjaw
stofirmlyand
reliablygraspalowerextrem
ity.
…thepersonperform
ingtheabortiondeliberatelyandintentionally…
…sothey’llknow
wherethey’reputtingtheir
forceps.”“Sothenyou’rejustkindofcognizantofw
hereyouputyourgraspers,youtrytointentionallygoaboveandbelow
thethorax,sothat,youknow,
we’vebeenverygoodatgettingheart,lung,liver,
becauseweknow
that,soI’mnotgonnacrushthat
part,I’mgoingtobasicallycrushbelow
,I’mgonna
crushabove…”
Step3:Flipthebabyfeet-first
Thesurgeonthenappliesfirmtractiontothe
instrumentcausingaversionofthefetus
…inthecaseofbreech
presentation…
“Underultrasoundguidance,theycanjustchange
thepresentation.”
Step4:Pullthebodyoutintact
thesurgeonuseshisfingerstodelivertheoppositelow
erextremity,thenthetorso,
theshouldersandtheupperextremities.
Theskulllodgesattheinternalcervicalos.Usuallythereisnotenoughdilationforitto
passthrough.Thefetusisorienteddorsum
orspineup.
…vaginallydeliversaliving
fetus…
“Thekindofrate-limitingstepoftheprocedureis
thecalvarium,theheadisbasicallythebiggest
part.Mostoftheotherstuffcancom
eoutintact.”“Buyer:Tobringthebodycavityoutintactandall
that?PP:Exactly.”
Step5:Evacuatethebaby’shead
Thesurgeonremovesthescissorsand
introducesasuctioncatheterintothisholeandevacuatestheskullcontents.W
iththecatheterstillinplace,heappliestractiontothefetus,rem
ovingitcompletelyfrom
thepatient.
…forthepurposeof
performinganovertactthat
thepersonknowsw
illkillthepartiallydeliveredlivingfetus…
“Soifyoudoitstartingfromthebreech
presentation,there’sdilationthathappensasthecasegoeson,andoften,thelaststep,youcanevacuateanintactcalvarium
attheend.”
ATTACHMENTB:PLANNEDPARENTHOODCONTRACTSWITHFETALORGANANDTISSUE
PROCUREMENTCOMPANIES
