Virginia's Crisis Pregnancy Center's Are Under Attack

A friend recently forwarded this e-mail to me.

Blue Ridge Women's Center rarely mentions political matters, but two bills currently under consideration in Virginia would directly impact our Center, and we'd appreciate your help.

Last week the NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia Foundation announced that, after a year-long undercover investigation into pregnancy centers like ours throughout the commonwealth, legislation is being proposed to further regulate our work (see this report from the Family Foundation: http://www.familyfoundationblog.com/2010/01/20/naral-general-assembly-allies-attack-apolitical-pregnancy-resource-centers/). Would you help keep Virginia centers free from the burdensome regulations of SB 188 and HB 452? Contact your legislators (http://www.familyfoundation.org/legislator.html ) and recommend that they vote against these two bills. And please do so quickly—we just found out that the subcommittee hearing is scheduled for this afternoon.

We are, as always, grateful for your support, your prayers, and your concern for the women and children of our community. Below you'll find our press release responding to the NPCVF report.

Blue Ridge Women's Center today responded to charges by the NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia Foundation that the majority of crisis pregnancy centers in Virginia provide "medically inaccurate information" and therefore represent "a threat to public health" rather than benefiting women who face unplanned pregnancy.

Blue Ridge Women's Center issued the following statement in responseto last week's NPCVF report:

"Women who face unplanned pregnancy need reliable information, practical resources, and emotional support. Blue Ridge Women's Center, which has been a trusted part of the local community service networkfor over 25 years, understands this and stands behind its services to the women of the Roanoke Valley.

"Numerous other local organizations—including physicians, hospitals, clinics, social-service providers, schools, and churches—refer clients to Blue Ridge Women's Center, depending on us to provide them with free pregnancy testing and pregnancy verification, parenting and life skills classes, maternity clothes and baby items. Our peer counseling services have helped thousands of women to navigate the challenges of unplanned pregnancy. We value the trust placed in us by our communityand are committed to providing quality care in a safe, confidential, non-judgmental environment.

"While the NPCVF report cited no specific examples of 'medicalfalsehoods' perpetuated by Blue Ridge Women's Center nor quotes purported to have come from our Center, our name is included on the list of pregnancy centers that they allegedly investigated, and they indicate that they contacted us by phone on four occasions. Due to the undercover nature of NPCVF's actions, we cannot confirm that such telephone contact took place.

"Blue Ridge Women's Center has medical professionals on its paid and volunteer staff, including a Medical Director who is a practicing, board-certified OB/GYN. We conduct regular reviews of our literature and medical services to ensure that any information distributed to our clients is consistent with current research findings and accepted medical protocol.

"In addition to this, Blue Ridge Women's Center and many of the other pregnancy centers in Virginia voluntarily comply with a set of industry standards upholding accuracy and excellence in client care and communications. As an affiliate of CareNet, NIFLA, and Heartbeat International, Blue Ridge Women's Center annually reaffirms a written 'Commitment of Care and Competence,' and requires its client-services staff and volunteers to participate in continuing education to keep their knowledge and skills current. NPCVF has provided no evidence that our Center has either violated this 'Commitment of Care and Competence' or supplied misinformation to our clients.

"Blue Ridge Women's Center provides free support services to hundreds of women annually, and has served more than 14,000 women and families since 1984. We encourage anyone concerned about the quality of our work to consider the testimony of our clients, who indicate a high level of satisfaction with the Center on their exit interviews.

"'I would recommend friends, family, or acquaintances who have unplanned pregnancy to come here for support,' one of our clients writes, and she's not alone in that recommendation. Last year over half of our clients came to us through referrals from family members or friends.

"With the continuing support of its donors and volunteers, Blue Ridge Women's Center remains committed to providing quality care to the women of our community regardless of their age, race, religion, income level, or circumstances.

"Regarding the funds from the Choose Life license plate campaign to which the NPCVF report refers, Blue Ridge Women's Center does not receive any financial support from the federal or commonwealth government, and has neither requested nor received any funds from the sale of Choose Life license plates.

Many thanks,

Rev. Phil Holsinger (Coach), President/CEO

Cuccinelli on the Issue of Life

The second in a series of issue positions

from the Cuccinelli for Attorney General Campaign

Ken Cuccinelli is unabashedly Pro-life. It's a position he has always had - and a belief that's based on more than just words.

It's one thing to say you're "pro-life" as a candidate for nomination to public office - everyone that wants a Republican nomination says it. It's completely different if your words are backed with action and an actual record.

How many times have pro-lifers been disappointed after electing someone who kept insisting that he was pro-life during a campaign?

As a member of the State Senate, Ken Cuccinelli has not just voted right, he has been a leader on initiatives that cover the whole spectrum of the abortion issue and is a recognized leader on the issue of life.

• Ken has introduced legislation to ensure that abortion clinics are licensed and subject to the same regulations as outpatient surgical hospitals;
• Ken authored the Senate version of the parental consent law;
• Ken has led the way with efforts to de-fund planned parenthood of your tax dollars;
• Ken has led the Senate effort to successfully block embryonic stem cell research;
• Ken has led the fight to ban the gruesome procedure of "partial-birth" abortion;
• Ken led the fight on the Senate floor to adopt the "Choose Life" license plate, which was just signed into law. Proceeds from the sale of these plates will go to crisis-pregnancy centers across the Commonwealth.

These are just a few of the reasons why such notable conservative organizations as the Eagle Forum Virginia PAC, and the Republican National Coalition for Life have ENDORSED Ken's campaign for Attorney General.

Additionally, the Family Foundation honored Ken with their prestigious "Legislator of the year award" for 2008 for his efforts to strip planned parenthood of state tax funding.

Action Alert: Ask Governor Kaine to Sign Choose Life License Plate Bill

Victoria Cobb, President Monday, March 9, 2009   Action Alert: Ask Governor Kaine to Sign Choose Life License Plate Bill See Our Latest Blog Posts @ www.familyfoundationblog.com Sign Up for Twitter Updates @ www.twitter.com/TFFVA Join Us On Facebook @ www.facebook.com See Our Video Center On YouTube @ www.youtube.com/user/TheFamilyFoundation   Two weeks ago, you heard from us about the Choose Life license plate bill victory (SB 817).  A portion of revenue raised by the purchase of these plates would be sent to pregnancy resource centers.  You may have seen our YouTube video in which Senator Ken Cuccinelli (R-37, Centreville) added the Choose Life amendment on the Senate floor or maybe you sent an email to your legislators encouraging them to vote for this pro-life legislation.    Today, I am asking you to participate in the next step of the legislative process.    The hard work and determination of Senator Cuccinelli and those legislators who voted for this legislation could all be void if Governor Tim Kaine chooses to listen to Planned Parenthood and amend the bill to remove the Choose Life plate or veto the entire bill outright.    I am asking you to contact Governor Kaine today to urge him to sign the Choose Life license plate bill.  Your urgent action is necessary!    The Governor is now in the process of deciding what his action will be concerning the bills recently placed on his desk.  Hearing from you and other concerned citizens has a profound impact on this process.  Please take just a few minutes to write a letter to Governor Kaine expressing your strong support of the Choose Life plate in SB 817, the omnibus license plate bill.  Governor Kaine’s contact information is below:   The Honorable Tim Kaine P.O. Box 1475 Richmond, VA 23218   It is preferable that you write a letter since this has the greatest impact; however, if that is not possible for you, please consider a phone call, fax, or email:   Phone:  (804) 786-2211 Fax:  (804) 371-6351   To send an email, click the link below.   While is it our hope that Governor Kaine does sign this Choose Life plate into law, The Family Foundation is prepared to mount an overwhelming grassroots advocacy campaign to put pressure on swing legislators and gather enough votes to override a gubernatorial veto.  However, your letter today can help insure that this effort is not necessary.  Please do your part and send a letter to the Governor today!  Thank you in advance for your advocacy!    ACTION: Urge Governor Kaine to sign SB 817 with no amendments, including the Choose Life License Plate.

Choose Life Licencse Plates Pass the Senate

One of Senator Cuccinelli's main legislative priorities this session was to create a Choose Life license plate.  This plate would both allow people to show their support for the pro-life cause on their vehicles, and fund pregnancy resource centers around the commonwealth.  In preparation for this legislative push, Ken collected signatures in support of the bill, and more than enough preregistrations for the license plates.  

The bill, SB 801, died in committee on a 6-6-2 vote.  However Sen. Cuccinelli did not give up when his bill died in committee.  Victoria Cobb of the Family Foundation put it best when she said, "Never one to surrender easily, today he successfully amended SB 817 to include his Choose Life plate."  Yesterday, on a vote of 20-19, the amendment was approved, and the Choose Life plates are on their way to the House of Delegates where they will more than likely be approved.