Life

Arkansas Now Requires Schools to Teach Human Development in the Womb

Last week, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a bill requiring that public school students learn about human development in the womb.

This new law is part of a broader trend among more conservative states to include detailed fetal development into education standards and school curricula and it’s a positive move that’s reflective of the ongoing culture war over abortion.

SB 450 requires Arkansas Department of Education to change its academic standards to include discussions on human fetal growth and development.

The bill aims to educate students on the biological truths of human development from conception to birth.

The measure was passed with overwhelming support in the State House (vote of 81-13) and State Senate (vote of 26-6).

Key provisions require that the content include:

  • “A high-definition ultrasound that shows the brain, heart, sex organs, and other vital organs in early fetal development”
  • “The process of fertilization and every stage of human development inside the uterus, including a discussion that notes significant markers in cell growth and organ development for every significant marker of pregnancy until birth.”

Proponents of the measure, including Arkansas’ Family Council, celebrated the new law, saying this would give public school students a window into the womb and an opportunity to learn about preborn babies.

According to the bill’s language, the Department of Education will work with the Department of Health to determine age-appropriate material for discussions.

Six other states have passed similar legislation requiring academic standards be added to teach students about human development in the womb, including Iowa, Idaho, Oklahoma, Tennessee, North Dakota and Kansas.

Four of those states passed legislation in the last few months.

All of these legislative efforts share common elements:

  • Requiring schools to teach about fetal development in the womb, often including visual materials.
  • Generally targeting students from 5th grade through 12th grade.

Not surprising, the ACLU of Arkansas opposed the bill, calling it “egregious” and suggested that it would threaten “reproductive rights.”

Under current law, Arkansas protects life in the womb beginning at conception with an exception to save the life of the mother. At present, there are no licensed abortion clinics in the state.

We applaud the state of Arkansas for its efforts to educate the next generation of mothers and fathers about the biological truth of human life in the womb.

It’s time to encourage lawmakers in every state to pass similar legislation.

Image from Getty.

New Abortion Pill Study Confirms Danger to Mothers

A new study from the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC) confirms what many have been warning about for years. The abortion pill doesn’t just take the life of innocent preborn babies but also injures and puts mother’s lives in jeopardy.

“The Abortion Pill Harms Women,” the largest ever study of its kind, found that nearly 11% of all women who abort their child with mifepristone suffer from life-threatening conditions, including sepsis, infection or hemorrhaging.

Authored by Jamie Bryan Hall, EPPC’s Director of Data Analysis and EPPC president Ryan T. Anderson, the findings come just as the use of chemical (and often mail order) abortions are skyrocketing.

“This study is the statistical equivalent of a category 5 hurricane hitting the prevailing narrative of the abortion industry,” reflected Ryan T. Anderson.

“It reveals, based on real-world data, the shocking number of women who suffer serious medical consequences because of the abortion pill. The Trump FDA should take immediate action to protect the safety of American women by reinstating the safety regulations that the Obama and Biden Administrations removed.”

The study, conducted between 2017 and 2023, found that women are 22 times more likely to be harmed than previously suggested by the Food and Drug Administration.

In the simplest of terms, this new study confirms that the public has been consistently lied to or deceived about the so-called safety of the abortion pill.

In releasing the study, the EPPC is wisely calling for the FDA to reinstate “patient safety protocols” that were first promised when mifepristone was first released. Additional requests include:

  • Prescribing mifepristone and misoprostol for the termination of pregnancy should require at least three in-person office visits by the patient — as originally required by the FDA.
  • Mifepristone should be prescribed only by physicians — as originally required by the FDA — who have read and understood the prescribing information.
  • Mifepristone should be administered only in a clinic, medical office, or hospital, by or under the supervision of a physician, able to assess the gestational age of an embryo and to diagnose ectopic pregnancies — all of which was originally required by the FDA.
  • Physicians must be able to provide surgical intervention in cases of incomplete abortion or severe bleeding, or have made plans to provide such care through others, and be able to assure patient access to medical facilities equipped to provide blood transfusions and resuscitation, if necessary.
  • Healthcare providers should be required once again to report to the FDA (and manufacturers of mifepristone) all serious adverse events resulting from the use of mifepristone.
  • Mifepristone should only be prescribed to a woman who is confirmed by a physician to be in the first seven weeks of pregnancy — as originally required by the FDA.

Abortion pill sycophants often dismiss warnings about the deadly pill as being hyperbole, but in releasing the new study, the EPPC even provides tragic testimonies from women who have suffered from its use.

Sadly, there are many no longer alive to talk.

Public policy impacts real people in real time and nowhere is this truer than when it comes to the reckless and tragic distribution of the abortion pill.

The FDA is long overdue to study and re-investigate the abortion pill’s so-called safety. This landmark new study will hopefully trigger and expedite that process.

Over 3,500 People March for Life at the Colorado State Capitol

The Colorado march for life drew over 3,500 participants from all over the state and was marked by joy, love and optimism, which might be surprising considering Colorado is one of the most pro-abortion states in the nation.

The event was held on Friday, April 11 and co-hosted for the second year in a row by the national March for Life committee and Pro-Life Colorado. The theme was “Why We March.”

National March for Life put together a fun reel capturing the “whys” for a number of Colorado marchers.

Sister Mary Grace of the Sisters of Life, spoke at the rally, radiating love, joy, humor and God’s desire to preserve life. She gave the message “God is breaking in.”

“Every human life is the icon of the divine breaking into a dark world,” she told the crowd.

She continued, “God is not in the business of giving up on your life. Intervention is God’s profession. Every second your heart beats, God is bestowing life into you.”

Her message not only affirmed the lives of preborn babies but conveyed the Gospel message.

Jeff Hunt of 710 KNUS interviewed the Sisters of Life before the speech, who said their religious community is founded on the love of human life – a belief that we are made in the image of God and we are inherently sacred. You can watch the interview below.

Focus on the Family was proud to be one of 25 organizations hosting a table at the event along with Pro-Life Colorado, Bella Health and Wellness, Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center, 40 Days for Life, Students for Life of America, Sidewalk Advocates for Life and more.

March for Life’s new president Jennie Bradley-Lichter gave a welcoming speech to attendees. She encouraged marchers to let the rally and march inspire them to continue to advocate for life. 

Bradley-Lichter acknowledged that mothers and preborn babies have very little protection in Colorado and said we have a lot of work to do in this state.

“Despite the challenging legal, political and cultural landscape in Colorado, don’t be discouraged. We know how this story ends. We know that life wins.”

Bradley-Lichter encouraged marchers with the fact that pregnancy help organizations are one concrete reason for hope within the pro-life movement.

Today there are nearly 3,000 pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes helping women and babies nationwide.

Bradley-Lichter exhorted attendees to support their local pregnancy resource centers and to petition the governor to veto state legislation that would legalize on-demand, taxpayer-funded abortions for Medicaid recipients.

The measure, HB25-183, would require the state to cover abortions as part of its Medicaid services and force Colorado taxpayers to spend millions of dollars every year paying for abortions against their consciences.

Focus on the Family’s the Daily Citizen reported on this bill last month when a pro-abortion lawmaker gave shocking testimony arguing it’s cheaper for the state to pay for abortions than pay for a baby to be born and live.

The fiscal note on this measure estimates abortions will cost taxpayers $5.9 million in the first full year.

Pro-Life Coloradans, even if you weren’t at the march, you can join us in the call to action!

Please contact Governor Polis and urge him to veto HB25-183 to protect preborn babies, their mothers, and the conscience rights of millions of Coloradans who do not support abortion.

Image credit: Macy Bennett

Oppose Colorado’s Radical Abortion and ‘Transgender Rights’ Legislation

There are currently two pieces of radical legislation that would force taxpayers to pay for abortions and threaten parental rights. Focus on the Family needs our Colorado friends to stand firm against these two bills.

Abortion Bill

First, an extreme abortion bill – HB25-183 – has already been passed by the Colorado State Assembly and is awaiting Governor Jared Polis’ signature.

If signed, HB25-183 would:

  • Require the state to cover abortions as part of its Medicaid services.
  • Force Colorado taxpayers to spend millions of dollars every year paying for abortions against their consciences.

The fiscal note on this measure estimates abortions will cost taxpayers $5.9 million in the first year.

After passing the Colorado abortion amendment last fall, abortion activists are more brazen than ever in building Colorado’s reputation as an abortion destination state, and they want to force Colorado taxpayers to pay for it.

Daily Citizen reported this last month when a pro-abortion lawmaker gave shocking testimony, arguing it’s cheaper for the state to pay for abortions than pay for that baby to be born.

Please contact Governor Polis and urge him to veto HB25-183 to protect preborn babies, their mothers and the conscience rights of millions of Coloradans who do not support abortion.

“Transgender Rights” Bill

Second, a radical “transgender rights” bill – HB25-1312 – threatens parental rights and free speech.

If passed, HB25-1312 would:

  • Threaten parental rights by compelling parents to affirm their minor child’s gender confusion or potentially lose custody.
  • Threaten free speech by forcing schools and businesses to have gender-affirming policies or be sued for discrimination.

The bill unconstitutionally limits free speech, religious freedom and parents’ rights to provide for the care, nurturing, and moral and religious upbringing of their children.

It forces parents to support dangerous, experimental drugs, hormones and surgeries for their children struggling with sexual identity confusion.

This extreme measure would turn Colorado into a “trans-sanctuary.”

Erin Lee, a Colorado mom and the Executive Director of Protect Kids Colorado told the Daily Citizen:

CO HB 25-1312, on its face, is a blatantly unconstitutional violation of free speech and parental rights. What I find especially dangerous is defining non-affirmation of gender confusion as “coercive control” and allowing the courts to use it against parents. They are essentially bullying parents into transitioning their children, or else lose them.

Parents have long been bullied by the suicide myth, that you must transition your child or else they will kill themself. Now the state is adding to that: Transition your child or else we will take them from you. It fortifies our status as a wrong-sex mutilation sanctuary state, encouraging more people to move here and transition their children.

To learn more read the Daily Citizen’s analysis of the bill.

HB25-1312 has already passed the House and will now be considered by the Senate.

Urge your senator to vote no, and please consider testifying – in writing, remotely or in-person – against the bill when it goes before a Senate committee soon.

Please contact your state senator and the governor today to oppose these extreme measures.

We need your bold voice to defend life, parental rights and free speech.

Image from Shutterstock.

Pro-Life Coloradans: Let’s March for Life

Focus on the Family invites our pro-life friends to join us Friday, April 11, as we march for life at the state capital in Denver.

National March for Life is partnering with Pro-Life Colorado to host the second annual joint Colorado march for life to promote pro-life values in the state.

The rally and the march aim to promote life-affirming values in our state.

It’s a family-friendly event, so plan on bringing your kids and show them what it means to peacefully advocate for life.

The day will kick off with a pre-rally concert at 10 a.m., followed by an hour-long rally on the steps of the Capitol and the march at 12 p.m.

Participants will march about one mile around the capitol complex.

Marchers are encouraged to bring homemade signs that communicate their pro-life values. For sign inspiration, click here.

Speakers at the rally will include:

  • Jennie Bradley-Lichter, president, National March for Life
  • Dr. Marcus Button and Mrs. Jennifer Button, Button Family Practice
  • Rep. Rebecca Keltie, Colorado House of Representatives – District 16
  • Rich Bennett, Life Network
  • Beverly Jacobson, Mama Bear Care
  • Tamra Axworthy, ACPC Life Services & Women’s Clinic
  • Lauren Castillo, director of Mission Advancement & External Relations, Bella Health + Wellness
  • Bishop Jorge Rodriguez, Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Denver
  • Rev. James Maxwell, district president, Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod

This year, the call to action is to encourage state legislators and the governor to oppose SB 25-183, which would require the state to cover abortion as part of its Medicaid services and force Colorado taxpayers to spend millions of their tax dollars every year funding abortions against their conscience.

As reported by the Daily Citizen, the bill captured the attention of the nation this past month when a pro-abortion lawmaker gave testimony arguing it’s cheaper for the state to pay for abortions than pay for a baby to be born.

The measure is currently being considered by the state General Assembly.

Many pro-life organizations will have tables at the event, and mobile ultrasound units will also be open for tours.

Focus on the Family will have a table at the event, so please stop by and say hello.

If you are interested in volunteering for the march for life, sign up here.

If you plan on attending and posting about the event on social media, be sure to use the hashtags #whywemarch and #COMarchforLife.

To get more information about parking, marching and advocating for life, visit Colorado March for Life.

We look forward to seeing you there!