Does it even make a difference? Why bother? They don’t listen anyway.
These are some of the questions I have heard, and to be honest, thought after another day at the Colorado legislature, when the majority push through tax-payer funding of Medicaid abortion and of Planned Parenthood, make it unprofessional conduct to prescribe Abortion Pill Reversal (bioidentical progesterone), and refuse to vote for regulation of abortion facilities that do second and third trimester abortions, or even requiring that adoption be included in pregnancy options counseling.
When unrestricted abortion was enshrined in the Colorado constitution, many thought the gig was up. The voting public was misled by a sophisticated campaign built on fear-based messaging, misleading ballot language, and widespread media misinformation. Most Coloradans have no idea how extreme abortion policy has become. Colorado has become a destination for abortion tourism. Nearly one in three abortions – 29% – are performed on women who travel here from other states, many seeking very late procedures unavailable elsewhere.
The voters don’t know. They’ve been deceived.
Doing what we CAN do
That is where life-affirming medical professionals come in. A key mission of AAPLOG is to equip medical professionals to defend the lives of both of our patients, the pregnant mother and her preborn baby. AAPLOG Action has expanded that mission into advocacy. Polling reveals that physicians and nurses are among the most trusted professionals, with nurses ranking at the top of the list! The abortion lobby and advocacy partners with professional medical organizations, their medical voice, demanding absolutely no restrictions on abortion, and declaring it to be “essential healthcare.”
AAPLOG Colorado is the Hippocratic medical voice that presents evidence-based information, and counters the misinformation, as we promote life-affirming healthcare. In order to break through the false narratives: “Abortion drugs are as safe as Tylenol”, “Women are 14 times more likely to die from childbirth than abortion” “APR is unsafe and unethical,” “They’re fake clinics”, we are:
- In the media, correcting misinformation with evidence, and offering opinion pieces. While we are often not published, the editors get the opportunity to see the evidence. We hope it conflicts with the false narrative and moves them toward the truth.
- At the legislature, we introduce strategic legislation that exposes harms, increases transparency, protects women and children, and defends the conscience rights of medical professionals. The legislators get to hear the evidence supporting life-affirming care and the harms of abortion. When we simply testify to the facts, others hear: the audience, those testifying against good legislation, the media, and the legislative staff.
- Testifying against bills that push the abortion agenda forward. While we have not been successful YET, many hear the testimonies. We don’t YET know the impact. But we know it is making a difference, chipping at the veneer of misinformation.
- Collaborating as the medical voice for Prolife Colorado, the coalition of prolife organizations. We provide education, talking points, and detailed references.
- Educating the public. We provide presentations about the reality of abortion in Colorado, the developing baby, and challenge the myths. People especially appreciate the question-and-answer sessions. Where else do they have the opportunity to ask a trusted medical professional about the myths they’ve heard?
The abortion industry and its political allies are powerful and extraordinarily well funded, but their foundation is crumbling.
Most people DO care deeply about women and children and would not be for the “choice” of abortion if they knew the truth. It took 50 years to overturn Roe v. Wade. The false narrative that women need abortion, that it is safe because it is legal, and that women can have abortions and “just get on with life” with no negative impact can’t be allowed to stand. There is too much at stake to be silent and simply let the abortion industry advance unchallenged. Abortion will fall if we don’t give up. The medical voice is key for culture, and for policy, change.
If you are in one of the 41 LESS extreme states, it is imperative that you advocate with everything at your disposal to keep radical abortion out of your state. Let Colorado — and the other eight states with similarly extreme policies — serve as a warning. The abortion industry and lobby have their sights set on you, also. AAPLOG and AAPLOG Action are at your service to assist with state strategy and implementation.
The Colorado Chapter executive team: Wendy Smith, ACNP-retired, has extensive experience developing innovative models of medical care in oncology, and volunteer experience with minor human trafficking survivors and prolife work; Tom Perille, MD, who brings his experience and strategic skills from Internal Medicine, Hospital Medicine, and Quality Improvement; Tom is also President of Democrats for Life of Colorado; Catherine Wheeler, MD, brings her background as an Ob-Gyn physician, including performing abortions in her training and early career; this unique perspective motivates her to defend both of our patients and educate regarding the reality of abortion and the developing human baby.
