PRESS RELEASE
October 22, 2009
KFL Distraught Over Exit of KS Healing Board Director: Abortion Suspected As Cause
Statement by KFL Executive Director Mary Kay Culp:
“Jack Confer was our last hope against the complete and total corruption of this state by abortion forces, and with his resignation, no matter what the reason, that hope is dashed.
“It has only been under Confer’s leadership that the Board enforced the state’s law banning affiliated medical referrals for post-viability abortions. We are upset and outraged and demand Kansas legislators do whatever they can to get to the bottom of this. If indeed abortion is the reason for Confer’s resignation, as we suspect, it underscores the desperate need Kansas has for a governor, public officials and a medical board that are not pawns of the abortion industry.”
In a strongly worded Dec. 2008 revocation petition against George Tiller, the Board –under Confer–alleged six years of illegal post-viability abortion referrals had transpired at Tiller’s facility in Wichita, including 11 cases of minors as young as 10.
From March 23-27, 2009 the state of Kansas conducted –and lost–their trial against Tiller for this same crime. The jury seemed convinced that former Board director Larry Buening’s alleged advice exonerated Tiller’s misuse of a financially affiliated licensee to issue exemption referrals.
But the Board–under Confer–interpreted the law correctly and seemed determined to win its case. Confer even sent four Board staffers to monitor the failed trial, so they would be ready to win an anticipated fight with Tiller’s pricey attorneys.
KFL submitted additional information to the Board in September 2009, connecting the dots between sworn testimony at Tiller’s trial and other documents since 1992 dealing with Board oversight of illegal abortion activities. We asserted Buening’s involvement in illegal Kansas abortions was more than just a convenient excuse for Tiller, and accused certain Board staffers of conflict of interest, asking for their recusal and the further recusal of any Board members still loyal to Buening.
On Oct. 14, 2009, an additional 15,000 hand-signed citizen petitions were delivered to Confer, asking for speedy disciplinary action against the other four abortionists implicated by the Board’s Dec. 2008 petition: Kristin Neuhaus, LeRoy Carhart, Susan Robinson and Shelly Sella. (Our original Board complaint was filed in Oct. 2007 with 8,000 citizen petitions)
However, on Friday, Oct 16, the Board conducted a regular meeting; including an agenda item to dismiss the Tiller revocation petition due to his death. The fact that Confer uncharacteristically did not respond to our email the day before the meeting–or since then– hints that the Board did not want to pursue action against the other four abortionists and may be the heart of his resignation.
Confer admitted that he had almost lost his job twice during the first few months after his term began in July 2008, during which time the Board Presidency had turned over a few times.
Confer oversaw measurable improvements in case intake and outcomes. Unlike Buening, Confer, conducted himself as the consummate professional, not expressing any position about the abortion issue, but returning our calls, listening attentively to concerns and carefully explaining his legal role and the duties of the Board staff.
Confer said he and his family loved their new Kansas town and he seemed genuinely enthusiastic about improving the Board, repairing relations with the legislature, and overturning the Board’s deservedly tarnished reputation.
Related: Mr. Fix-it hired to reshape state board of healing arts, by Mike Shields, KHI News Service, Oct. 13, 2008
A version of this press release featuring a long list of related articles can be found HERE
