PhatBottomGirly
04-22-2005, 11:36 PM
WASHINGTON
The head of Health and Human Services says his department wants to educate the public about a little-known abortion law by strictly enforcing it.
The Born-Alive Infant Protection Act, which became law three years ago, requires doctors and other health care workers to attempt to keep alive a fetus that survives an abortion.
The National Right to Life Committee says the department's announcement was "badly needed." But department officials say they don't know how often such survivals happen and wouldn't say if anyone's complained about lack of enforcement.
Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt says the department will investigate "all circumstances" in which medical care is withheld from an infant born alive in an attempted abortion.
Congress approved the bill in 2001 with little opposition.
The head of Health and Human Services says his department wants to educate the public about a little-known abortion law by strictly enforcing it.
The Born-Alive Infant Protection Act, which became law three years ago, requires doctors and other health care workers to attempt to keep alive a fetus that survives an abortion.
The National Right to Life Committee says the department's announcement was "badly needed." But department officials say they don't know how often such survivals happen and wouldn't say if anyone's complained about lack of enforcement.
Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt says the department will investigate "all circumstances" in which medical care is withheld from an infant born alive in an attempted abortion.
Congress approved the bill in 2001 with little opposition.