By CatholicVote | Created at 2024-11-19 21:41:35 | Updated at 2024-11-23 08:19:57
3 days ago
CV NEWS FEED // President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has raised concerns among pro-life advocates, prompting questions about whether he will commit to key pro-life policy priorities.
In an op-ed titled “Eight Questions for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.,” published in National Review, Michael J. New, a senior associate scholar at the Charlotte Lozier Institute, noted that while many pro-lifers supported Trump hoping he would appoint pro-life leaders to key positions, Kennedy has never identified as pro-life. To address these concerns, New outlined eight critical questions Kennedy should answer to reassure pro-life groups and senators.
>> WHAT RFK TOLD ME <<
New first highlighted the impact of FDA policies on chemical abortions, which he stated were a key factor in the rising U.S. abortion rate since 2017. He pointed out that in 2016, the FDA extended the allowable limit for chemical abortions from seven to 10 weeks and reduced required in-person visits from three to one without fully studying the public health consequences.
He asked, “As HHS Secretary, would you support revoking these policy changes?”
New also criticized the Biden administration for permitting the distribution of chemical abortion drugs by mail during the COVID-19 pandemic. He argued that this practice poses serious risks to women, especially those with ectopic pregnancies or advanced gestational stages.
He asked Kennedy, “Would you instruct the FDA to require an in-person medical exam for women seeking chemical abortions?”
>> REPORT REVEALS NETWORK OF BLACK-MARKET ABORTION PILL DRUG CARTELS ENABLED BY FDA AND USPS <<
Further, New addressed the lack of transparency in abortion complication reporting. Since 2016, the FDA has not required medical professionals to report complications from chemical abortions.
He asked, “As HHS Secretary, would you require that medical professionals report complications arising from chemical abortions?”
Another area of concern was the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPPP), which New described as focusing more on contraceptive use than reducing sexual activity. He cited studies from the Obama and Biden administrations showing that most funded programs failed to reduce teen pregnancy rates significantly.
“What would you do as HHS Secretary to ensure TPPP grants are funding programs that have a track record of success?” New asked Kennedy.
New also criticized the Biden administration’s deprioritization of conscience rights, including the elimination of HHS’s Conscience and Religious Freedom Division and changes to the Office for Civil Rights’ enforcement capabilities.
He questioned Kennedy’s commitment to this issue, asking, “What would you do to make conscience protection a priority as HHS Secretary?”
Turning to Title X regulations, New highlighted the rollback of the Protect Life Rule, which under Trump had prohibited Title X funds from going to organizations co-located with abortion facilities or providing abortion referrals.
He asked, “As HHS Secretary, would you support reinstating the Protect Life Rule?”
Raising the issue of Planned Parenthood’s massive government funding, New noted that the organization received nearly $700 million annually in government grants, contracts, and Medicaid reimbursements, indirectly subsidizing abortion.
He asked, “What would you do to reduce the amount of government funding going to Planned Parenthood?”
Lastly, New addressed abortion reporting requirements, which vary widely by state. He asked Kennedy if he would support measures to strengthen these requirements to ensure states report data such as gestational ages, procedures used, and complications.
He further inquired, “Would you consider withholding state Medicaid funds from states, such as California and Maryland, that refuse to submit abortion data to the CDC?”
>> FORMER HEAD OF CDC TELLS RFK JR ‘YOU GOT EVERYTHING RIGHT’ <<
New concluded that answering these questions would demonstrate Kennedy’s understanding of pro-life concerns and how he could use his position at HHS to promote policies supporting a “culture of life.” These steps, New argued, could address concerns about Kennedy’s nomination and reassure pro-life advocates that their priorities would be represented in the administration.
