Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Frist a Major Shareholder in Reputed For-Profit Abortion Provider
Human Events ^ | 12-20-02 | Terry Jeffrey

Posted on 12/19/2002 10:26:29 PM PST by The Old Hoosier

Frist a Major Shareholder in Reputed For-Profit Abortion Provider
By Terence P. Jeffrey

Bill Frist (R.-Tenn.), reportedly the White House choice to succeed Trent Lott (R.-Miss.) as Senate majority leader, is a major shareholder in HCA, a for-profit hospital chain founded by his father and brother. HCA reportedly provides abortions to its customers.

So now Republicans face this question: If it is disqualifying for their Senate leader to make offensive remarks interpreted as endorsing an immoral policy that denied African-Americans equal rights, is it also disqualifying for their Senate leader to make money from a hospital chain that denies unborn babies the right to life?

Frist has deposited his major stockholdings in a "blind trust" chartered Dec. 28, 2000. A schedule of the original assets in this trust filed with the Senate showed holdings in 16 companies. Frist reported the value of these assets, as per Senate rules, within broad ranges (e.g. $1,001-$15,001). If the lowest possible value is assigned to each holding, Frist at that time had invested a minimum of $566,015 in 15 other companies, while investing at least $5,000,001 in HCA.

That would mean that approximately 89% of his holdings were in this company.

Furthermore, on its face, the trust agreement appears structured to allow the administrators to maintain this heavy concentration in HCA stock. It also specifically instructs the administrators to inform Frist if they divest entirely from any holding, including HCA. And, finally, it gives Frist the power to directly order the administrators to divest from HCA or any other holding that Frist determines "creates a conflict of interest or the appearance thereof."

HCA does not trumpet its reported involvement with abortion. But, in April, Catholic Financial Services Corporation (CFSC), a mutual fund company, announced that it was starting an S&P 500 Index Fund that would "exclude companies on the abortion issue"—and that HCA was one of only six companies on the index that would be excluded on these grounds. A spokesman for the mutual fund explained to me last week that the company excludes hospital chains that perform abortions and pharmaceutical companies that deal in drugs that induce abortion.

On December 18 and 19, I placed several calls to HCA corporate spokesman Jeff Prescott, to ask him directly whether abortions were performed in HCA facilities, or whether the company refuted CFSC’s determination that they were. I left him voice messages to this effect, and repeatedly told his secretary my questions. At 5:00 p.m. on the 19th, as press time approached, the secretary left me lingering on hold with no answer. When I hung up and called back, I got Prescott’s voice mail again and left him one last message. He never returned my call.

I also spoke with Sen. Frist’s spokesman, Nick Smith. I explained to Smith my understanding that the terms of Frist’s "blind" trust allowed the administrators to maintain a heavy concentration in HCA, while allowing Frist to order the sale of this stock, and while also compelling the administrators to inform Frist if they divested entirely from HCA or any other holding. I cited the specific passages in the trust to this effect. I also asked Smith to clarify Frist’s position on abortion—which has confounded pro-lifers over the years—and why Frist would not divest, since he apparently could, from a company that reportedly performs abortions.

When Frist first ran for the Senate in 1994, the Nashville Banner reported that he "frequently" said he "does not believe abortion should be outlawed." In a May 1994 radio interview, the Banner reported, Frist said, "It’s a very private decision." One of Frist’s Republican primary rivals, Steve Wilson, the Banner said, "demanded that Frist sell his millions of dollars in stock in the Hospital Corporation of America [HCA], which Frist’s family founded. Some of the hospitals in the chain perform abortions."

Tennessee Right to Life PAC Director Sherry Holden, however, told the Banner that Frist had told her organization he was pro-life. "He said he’s against abortion, period—no exceptions, except rape and incest," said Holden.

Yet, an Oct. 10, 1994, Memphis Commercial Appeal report on a debate between Frist and incumbent Sen. Jim Sasser (D.-Tenn.) said: "There were some topics on which the candidates agreed—both said they’re personally opposed to abortion but don’t think the government should prohibit abortions."

I asked Smith whether Frist wanted to prohibit abortion either by constitutional amendment or by over-turning Roe v. Wade and enacting prohibitions in the states, including Tennessee.

Smith responded by faxing me a statement. The White House, pro-life Republican senators, and their grassroots supporters can decide whether it is responsive:

"These two issues [the HCA investment and abortion] are separate and distinct," wrote Smith.

"On his own accord, by placing his assets in a federally qualified blind trust, Sen. Frist took a step above and beyond to ensure there is no conflict of interest," wrote Smith. "He believes this was the proper and responsible thing to do. He has never been employed by, or served on the board of, HCA or any of its hospitals.

"As a U.S. senator who acts on public policy each and every day, his record on abortion is clear," Smith continued. "He is opposed to abortion except in the instances of rape, incest and when the life of the mother is threatened. He is opposed to federal funding of abortion. And in the Senate, he led the fight against partial-birth abortion."

His Senate website includes a statement saying, "No one can deny the potential human cloning holds for increased scientific understanding. But . . . I am unable to find a compelling justification for allowing human cloning today."

As Bill Clinton might say, that doesn’t rule out tomorrow—when he may be Senate majority leader.



TOPICS: Breaking News; Politics/Elections; US: Tennessee
KEYWORDS: abortion; abortionlist; catholiclist; escr; frist; fristabortion; singleissueloser; terencepjeffrey; terryjeffrey
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 421-440441-460461-480 ... 601-610 next last
To: Caliban
The man did say he was pro-abortion in 1994. At the same time, he told Tenn. Right-to-life that he was pro-life. And now he owns the stock. All's I'm saying is, it makes me wonder, and it should make everyone here wonder.

Merry Christmas!

441 posted on 12/20/2002 9:44:02 AM PST by The Old Hoosier
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 433 | View Replies]

To: Askel5; Howlin
I'm not going to read your encyclicals, but I will say this: I despise your Oliver Cromwell approach to the pro-life cause, but if you did "dredge up" (your words) your miscarriage, I would never say to you what you said to Howlin.
442 posted on 12/20/2002 9:44:09 AM PST by wimpycat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 432 | View Replies]

To: YoungKentuckyConservative
Sorry, I meant "knowingly." Getting sloppy today.
443 posted on 12/20/2002 9:44:37 AM PST by The Old Hoosier
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 437 | View Replies]

To: ApesForEvolution; poet
"get on with the President’s agenda."

1. Of course you mean agenda that has spent NEW spending on social programs to the tune of $782,000,000,000!

2. Let's not forget his violation of his oath to uphold the Constitution by signing the CFR!

3. The agenda that has given us the mis-named obscenity called the p.a.t.r.i.o.t. act and, of course, the "homeland" (is anyone besides me offended by that term?)
security law? Once again, a violation of his oath!

4. The aganda that calls for giving amnesty and citizenship to 3,000,000 illegals?

5. The agenda that hired Adm. Poindexter (a convicted liar)
to oversee a database on all Americans even to what they buy and where they buy it?

6. An aganda that declares an Axis of Evil, then picks and chooses who to go after, rather than all of them?

7. An agenda that wines and dines muslims at the White House, a group who refuses to condemn murdering civilians, but, gives a strong reprimand to a dumb statement by one of his own party?

8. The agenda that embraced the democrat's "education" policy?

9. The agenda that embraced the democrat's position of placing 50,000+ new employees on the the gov't payroll (read, our backs)?

Is this the agenda you want us to "get on" with?

Please don't say that he took these issues from the dems, because if you use that argument, you are saying dupliciy is acceptable when your guys do it, but, bad when the other guy's guys do it. If you use that argument then you are no better then the clinton's apologists who defended the indefensible.

You are either a man or woman of principle or you are not!

FReegards




19 posted on 12/20/2002 12:33 PM EST by poet



444 posted on 12/20/2002 9:45:16 AM PST by TLBSHOW
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 337 | View Replies]

To: Polycarp
By the way, the rumors of my demise were apparently premature.

Mercy but thou dost have more lives than St. Julian's cat.

Welcome back, dear Polycarp.

Siobhan

445 posted on 12/20/2002 9:47:25 AM PST by Siobhan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 284 | View Replies]

To: xzins
Nichols, was a small business owner of a "Janitorial Service"...and do tell me...WHO generally works for "Janitorial Services"???

Illegal Aliens, liberal democrat blacks who may later play the we were "exploited" card???

We have some real issues confronting the country in the area of socialized medicine and I believe Frist will be a perfect person to head off that fight...NOT an owner of a "Janitorial Service".

446 posted on 12/20/2002 9:47:38 AM PST by Caliban
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 366 | View Replies]

To: TLBSHOW
You are either a man or woman of principle or you are not!

Amen to that.

447 posted on 12/20/2002 9:48:34 AM PST by The Old Hoosier
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 444 | View Replies]

To: The Old Hoosier
Apparently you think you have the right to express your opinion without having an opposing view presented.

I am simply pointing out that this article is short on facts and long on innuendo. I am not the only one who has done so.

Please explain to me the number of abortions, the type of abortions and the reasons for them, and the legal ramifications of a non-religious hospital in refusing to perform abortions while accepting federal money.

This information is pertinent to the story, but it is not provided. In fact, in the very beginning of the story the premise is that HCA has REPORTEDLY provided abortions.

How many? Why? Who says this? None of these questions is answered.

I do not support abortion but in rare cases where a pregnancy would cause the death of the mother. Tubal pregnancies are an example of this.

I am asking for some facts in the discussion. YOU are the one who is whining.

448 posted on 12/20/2002 9:49:06 AM PST by Miss Marple
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 428 | View Replies]

To: The Old Hoosier
Has he ever burned a cross or a picture of a cross?
449 posted on 12/20/2002 9:49:58 AM PST by verity
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Miss Marple
http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Jan-17-Sat-1998/business/6784374.html
450 posted on 12/20/2002 9:51:14 AM PST by TLBSHOW
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 448 | View Replies]

To: The Old Hoosier
Nice try, but it woun't work. Too late, the democrats already cut their own throat by getting rid of their best republican friend, senator lott.
451 posted on 12/20/2002 9:51:49 AM PST by desertcry
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Siobhan; Polycarp; Catholicguy; patent; Salvation; JMJ333; Desdemona; sinkspur; BlackElk; narses; ..
Dear Siobhan,

"Welcome back, dear Polycarp.

"Siobhan"

Welcome back POLYCARP?!?!?

How about WELCOME BACK SIOBHAN!!!

Is that really you??

How are you doing?

sitetest

452 posted on 12/20/2002 9:52:39 AM PST by sitetest
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 445 | View Replies]

To: TLBSHOW
Are you aware that Senator Frist does not sit on the board and has no operational influence or authority in HCA? This was covered initially when the story first broke.

In addition, nothing in your link discusses abortions, so it is not pertinent to the discussion.

453 posted on 12/20/2002 9:55:00 AM PST by Miss Marple
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 450 | View Replies]

To: Miss Marple
"Governor George W. Bush's former business partner and most generous campaign contributor appears well positioned to prosper from a quiet Bush proposal that could lead to private companies running state mental institutions," staff writer Polly Ross Hughes wrote in the Houston Chronicle February 25, 1997. ** The story went on to relate how the day after the former U.S. President's son broached the idea in his state budget message, Rainwater, Inc. bought 95 psychiatric hospitals for $400 million from Magellan, eight of them in Texas.









http://www.calnurse.org/cna/columbia/797.htm
454 posted on 12/20/2002 9:57:13 AM PST by TLBSHOW
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 453 | View Replies]

To: xzins
Specifically, I'm a moderate conservative or a compassionate conservative if you will. You should focus on the word conservative.

The term "moderate" taints the meaning of the word "conservative" just as when someone urinates in your oatmeal.

"Moderate" means a liberal-leaning, conservative-leaving person.

455 posted on 12/20/2002 9:57:48 AM PST by A2J
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 399 | View Replies]

To: TLBSHOW
BLT, I fully understand that you didn't understand what was afoot here nor the magnitude of positiveness that it represented.

I also predicted last night that you would turn your fire fully towards Bush the moment this went down.

Further, I am not surprised you put up somone else's post to make a point, very characteristic of you.

Finally, I was fully aware of Bush's "compassionate conservative" or "liberal light" proclivities and have stated my angst over such issues as the bogus 'Patriot' Act, a crappy cave to the pickled liver communist Teddy Kennedy over a bloated, anti-choice Education Bill, and on and on.

But, today, conservatives have been done right by Senator Trent Lott, which is good for America. Bush handled this one properly. So, I am asking you nicely, please don't post to me your Bush rantings incessantly at this time. You might have been more happy had algore the lying communist had won in '00, but I'm glad he didn't. When you understand more, you will hopefully be able to reflect positively when something good, which happened today, happens for conservatives - which is good for America. Good day and a very, very Merry Christmas to you and yours.

I'm going to peruse the forums and....hit the SLOPES WITH A VENGEANCE!!!
456 posted on 12/20/2002 9:59:12 AM PST by ApesForEvolution
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 444 | View Replies]

To: autiger
>>I work for HCA, the largest for-profit hospital comapany in the country. This is a ridiculous assertion. Believe me when I tell you the predominat corporate culture is conservative. The corporate office is located in Nashville and the majority of our hospitals are located in the Bible Belt. Frist is a good guy. Abortion related services are not a reatail service line, if they are performed, it is an emergency situation. Yes, still distateful but it is not the practice of any HCA facility to turn patients away from the ER. Please research EMTALA laws.<<

It's good to hear from someone who actually knows Bill Frist - and what HCA is all about. Mr. Jeffrey's "hit piece" has certainly stirred up a bunch of folks who do not know Senator Frist. They seem to be glued to nothing but Jeffrey's headline which sounds like something Carville or Begalla would pen.

On a more positive note - WAR EAGLE!

457 posted on 12/20/2002 10:00:19 AM PST by auboy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 340 | View Replies]

To: TLBSHOW
Oh good, now to prove a point you are posting articles from the Houston Chronicle. Apparently your point is that only Lott is the honorable person (pay no attention to his brother-in-law's large checks in the tobacco settlement) and President Bush is corupt.

Please drop this line of hogwash. It is unbecoming and carries the Rats' water.

458 posted on 12/20/2002 10:03:48 AM PST by Miss Marple
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 454 | View Replies]

To: wardaddy
The point is that HCA does not perform abortion on demand. The article is a hit piece with a headline which implies that Frist owns an abortion mill.

If you don't own stock, then you may very well find yourself or your family being treated at an HCA hospital. Demonizing a surgeon for being involved with major hospitals is ridiculous.

459 posted on 12/20/2002 10:04:18 AM PST by alnick
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 429 | View Replies]

To: wimpycat
You're a real b***h, I hope you know that. Have you ever lost a son? Have you ever even given birth? Or is that also a "trump" card?

At least have the guts to spell out the word "bitch" when you show no compunction about your vicious questions.

Any decent person knows, never ask anyone those kinds of questions. Your asking those questions were simply vicious and cruel. You never have permission to do that kind of trash interrogation because you think your defending someone else.

460 posted on 12/20/2002 10:09:17 AM PST by Siobhan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 384 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 421-440441-460461-480 ... 601-610 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson