Posted January 13, 2021

The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, the public affairs arm of the state’s Catholic bishops, has condemned a campaign by Planned Parenthood to facilitate abortion procedures in the home, looking to use telehealth visits so pregnant women can obtain prescription abortifacient drugs through the mail.

In a statement Jan. 13, PCC Executive Director Eric Failing said the effort is a life issue for the unborn child and for the mother, and will endanger lives in the pursuit of reproductive rights.

“We obviously object to any move to make abortions easier and to remove channels which encourage a woman to think about the move she is making,” Failing said. “But we also are alarmed at the health risks that this is presenting. These pills have been known to result in death and severe hemorrhaging. What happens when a mother has an adverse reaction at home and can’t get medical help in time?”

The PCC worked with state legislators last year to gain passage of Senate Bill 857 on telemedicine in a safe form that retains protections against dangerous drugs identified by the FDA, including the drugs used for abortions.

Although Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed the measure April 29, 2020, telemedicine legislation remains in play in the state legislature.

“Telemedicine promises to be a life-saving measure across Pennsylvania,” Failing said last April.  “Using telemedicine for abortions is a stated goal for Planned Parenthood because it can do more chemical abortions, with fewer doctors and less overhead costs.”