Florida legislators considering a bill to require
abortionists to provide medical care to an infant who survives an abortion were
shocked during a committee hearing this week when a Planned Parenthood official
endorsed a right to post-birth abortion.
Alisa LaPolt Snow, the lobbyist representing the Florida
Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, testified that her organization
believes the decision to kill an infant who survives a failed abortion should
be left up to the woman seeking an abortion and her abortion doctor.
"So, um, it is just really hard for me to even ask you
this question because I’m almost in disbelief," said Rep. Jim Boyd.
"If a baby is born on a table as a result of a botched abortion, what
would Planned Parenthood want to have happen to that child that is struggling
for life?”
"We believe that any decision that's made should be
left up to the woman, her family, and the physician," said Planned
Parenthood lobbyist Snow.
Rep. Daniel Davis then asked Snow, "What happens in a
situation where a baby is alive, breathing on a table, moving. What do your
physicians do at that point?”
"I do not have that information," Snow replied.
"I am not a physician, I am not an abortion provider. So I do not have
that information.”
Rep. Jose Oliva followed up, asking the Planned Parenthood
official, "You stated that a baby born alive on a table as a result of a
botched abortion that that decision should be left to the doctor and the
family. Is that what you’re saying?”
Again, Snow replied, “That decision should be between the
patient and the health care provider.”
