More Abortion Advocacy from Dartmouth-Hitchcock

Wednesday, June 23, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: C. J. Doyle friendsofthesbc@gmail.com

MORE ABORTION ADVOCACY FROM DARTMOUTH-HITCHCOCK

For the second time in less than three months, officials from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center---one of New Hampshire's major abortion facilities---have been engaged in public advocacy for the continued killing of pre-born children in the Granite State.

Doctor Ilana Cass, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Doctor Maria de Gracia Padin, chief medical officer of Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s southern New Hampshire practices, are among the signatories of a statement by a reported 200 health care industry professionals urging Governor Chris Sununu to veto the state budget passed by the Legislature because it contains a provision banning late term abortions.

The lobbying campaign was organized by Doctor Oge Young, who teaches at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine. Dartmouth Medical School is affiliated with Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

On March 30th, Cass testified, along with a representative of the American Civil Liberties Union, against 'Born Alive' legislation during a hearing before the New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee.

The campaign against the late term abortion ban comes amid the continuing controversy over the proposed acquisition of Catholic Medical Center in Manchester by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health, a merger which has received the approval of Manchester Bishop Peter Libasci.

The Friends of Saint Benedict Center called the pro-abortion campaign "one more persuasive example of why no rational person could reasonably believe that the religious character of Catholic Medical Center will be preserved under the management of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health."

Friends of Saint Benedict Center Communications Director C. J. Doyle made the following comment: "The Diocese of Manchester, and others, have argued, repeatedly, that the Catholic identity of CMC will be protected and maintained following its acquisition by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health. It is becoming increasingly difficult to take such assertions seriously."

"Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center not only performs abortions, but trains physicians in abortion procedures. It has become, in recent years, along with the Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund, one of the major institutional proponents of legal abortion in the Granite State."

"On May 18th, opening day ceremonies were held for the new Dartmouth-Hitchcock Ambulatory Surgery Center in Manchester. Among the procedures to be performed at the Surgery Center will be vasectomies, which are incompatible with Catholic medical ethics. That did not stop Alex Walker, however, the President of Catholic Medical Center, from participating in the ribbon cutting."

"If the current leadership of Catholic Medical Center is unwilling to uphold Catholic pro-life principles, why would anyone imagine that the management of Dartmouth-Hitchcock will? Supporters of the right to life must oppose this toxic merger."