(Harrisburg, May 11, 2011)
For Immediate Release

In an historic vote,the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in an overwhelming vote, adopted House Bill 574, which would apply the same licensure and safety standards on abortion clinics that all other outpatient surgical centers currently must meet.

This legislation follows the Grand Jury report and murder indictments surrounding the Women’s Medical Society abortion clinic, run by Dr. Kermit Gosnell, which the Philadelphia District Attorney described as a “house of horrors.”

Pennsylvania Family Council applauds the passage of House Bill 574, which passed by a vote of 148 – 43. Said PFC President Michael Geer, “We congratulate the bill’s chief sponsor, Rep. Matt Baker (R- Tioga County), and encourage the Pennsylvania Senate to quickly pass HB 574 and send it to Gov. Corbett for passage.”

In an emotional moment nearing the end of the debate, Rep. Margo Davidson (D) Delaware County announced her support of HB 574. She stated:

I’ve listened to the debate of HB 574, sometimes with tears in my eyes. Mr speaker, I respect the sanctity of life, and I respect the sanctity of life of women.

I am supporting HB 574 on behalf of my cousin who was killed at the Gosnell clinic.

She went on to say that women deserve the highest standards of care when seeking a legal procedure, and that abortion clinics should not be allowed to provide substandard care, which has been the case in Pennsylvania.

At this time, we do not know if the death of Rep. Davidson’s cousin is among those reported in the Grand Jury document. But Rep. Davidson’s courageous comments highlight the human toll when government fails to do its job in protecting life.

View a roll-call vote tally by clicking here.