Pro-life Kansans' hopes rise with Brownback inauguration

Lawmakers gathered at the Statehouse Monday for swearing-in ceremonies were excited about the change in tone this year and told our KFL lobbyists they are revved up to work.

Much of the positivity is set by newly sworn-in Gov. Sam Brownback’s promise to sign pro-life bills, as well as his high aspirations for Kansas.  3 of the top action priorities for his administration’s Protect Kansas Families agenda are pro-life goals:

• Support and defend the dignity of human life;
• Increase adoptions;
• Protect health insurance options.

The first 2 goals have been perennial for Kansans for Life, the third has gained increased importance after the passage of Obamacare.   New Attorney General, Derek Schmidt, announced that the state of Kansas will soon be joining the multi-state lawsuit against Obamacare.

While that suit advances, Kansas pro-life lawmakers will work to remove abortion coverage from state “exchanges” set out in Obamacare, as well as establish medical rights of conscience. (More on these issues will be posted as the session progresses and bills are filed.)

Brownback is serious about the life issues.  “Every person is a unique and special individual,” Brownback told reporters last week, at a press conference to announce the new head of the health department, western Kansas physician, Dr. Robert Moser, Jr.

The Kansas Department of Health & Environment [KDHE] is a crucial department for reform.  Under Gov. Sebelius, KDHE

1. fouled up implementation of the 2009 Woman’s Right to Know & See abortion informed consent provisions, including the fetal development section, health warnings, and the listing of free ultrasound locations across the state.
2. refused to authenticate redacted abortion records in 2008 for the criminal prosecution of the Planned Parenthood business in Overland Park after KDHE had allowed bogus late-term abortion reports to be filed for 12 years.
3. testified that they would continue to accept “non-answers” on abortion reports–even if an Attorney General’s opinion told them to change– at a special Senate & House investigation in Sept 2007.

Laws to end the late-term abortion corruption in this state were vetoed in 2007-2009 and will be the first pro-life priority of this legislative session, with other bills to follow.