Posted on 01/08/2002 10:00:48 AM PST by dead
Mayor’s Choice
Buried in one of Mike Bloomberg's campaign documents is a bold plan: to make abortion a standard part of OB-GYN instruction in the city's hospitals. Because his election seemed so improbable, Bloomberg's Blueprint for Public Health barely made a ripple—let alone a splash—when it was first unveiled. But should the new mayor make good on the document's controversial promise, the result will be groundbreaking. No other city is known to have institutionalized abortion training in its public hospitals. Jubilant pro-choice advocates say the move would not only improve services for the city's uninsured women but also help alleviate a shortage of abortion providers nationwide.
"It's extremely brave," says Lois Backus, executive director of the California-based abortion training group Medical Students for Choice. "No other publicly funded system has had the courage to say, 'We're going to spend our tax dollars pursuing this priority,' to my knowledge."
Until recently, the public has known little about the new mayor's thoughts on abortion, save that the Republican mogul is at least nominally pro-choice and reportedly once told a pregnant employee to "Kill it! Kill it!" (The comment, which Bloomberg has denied making, was cited in the legal papers of Sekiko Sakai Garrison, a former Bloomberg News staffer who brought one of three publicized sex-harassment cases against him or his company.)
Before they were contacted by the Voice, even many pro-choice advocates were unaware of the mayor's scheme. But whether because of a genuine commitment to abortion rights or a naïveté about the tangled politics surrounding it, the novice mayor remains poised to support proposals more experienced politicians might dismiss as unfeasible.
"You're kidding me!" said Roger Rathman, spokesperson for Planned Parenthood of New York City, upon hearing of Bloomberg's intention to institute abortion training at city hospitals. "Wow. Don't we love Mayor Mike!"
"I think it's terrific!" said a delighted Vickie Saporta, executive director of the National Abortion Federation. "Do you think he's really going to do it?"
Asked to answer that question, spokesperson Jerry Russo said only that "everyone knows that Michael Bloomberg has been an advocate for choice and he will continue to do so as mayor." Jane Zimmerman, senior vice president for communications at the Health and Hospitals Corporation, which runs the city's public hospitals, says HHC supports the Bloomberg proposal. If the plan is implemented, some 100 OB-GYN residents at the city's 11 public hospitals will learn how to perform abortions and provide counseling as a matter of course, though those who "object on moral grounds" will be allowed to opt out, according to the proposal.
Since one out of seven of the country's doctors is trained in New York, the change will almost certainly increase the number of abortion providers nationwide. Pro-choice advocates hope it might embolden other municipalities to follow suit. "Already we're talking about how this might translate to other cities," says National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) president Kate Michelman.
There is some dispute about the degree to which public hospitals already train their residents to provide abortions. HHC's Zimmerman says all of the city's public hospitals provide some abortion training. But according to NARAL-NY, only two of the city's public hospitals make abortion training standard for residents, rather than an elective they can choose in addition to their required courses.
The problem is even worse elsewhere in the country. Though the percentage of OB-GYN programs that teach students to perform first-trimester abortions as part of their normal curriculum is thought to be creeping back up, in 1997, the last year for which statistics are available, that percentage had fallen to only 12 percent, down from nearly 23 percent in 1985.
As a result, the number of abortion providers has dwindled. Abortion is the second most common surgical procedure (cesarian deliveries are the first), yet 84 percent of all U.S. counties have no one qualified to provide it, according to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Nearly one in four women has to travel more than 50 miles to get an abortion. And most of the 2000 doctors who do now provide abortions are over 50 years old.
"Over the past 10 to 15 years, there's been a concerted effort by anti-choice groups to intimidate medical schools into eliminating abortion training," says NARAL's Michelman. "Our concern," she adds, "is that we'll run out of providers."
NARAL-NY staff members expressed such fears at a June meeting with Bloomberg, using the opportunity to suggest the training proposal, which the candidate eagerly embraced. "He took it word-for-word directly from our materials," says Kelli Conlin, the group's executive director, who was at the meeting. (Despite Bloomberg's enthusiasm, national NARAL remained neutral in the mayoral race, and NARAL-NY endorsed Mark Green.)
The new policy would be unlikely to increase the number of abortions performed in New York City each year—about 100,000, of which roughly 6500 are performed in HHC hospitals. But the widespread abortion training could help eliminate delays that some advocates say women encounter in the city's hospitals. "An average woman comes into HHC to schedule an abortion and has to wait two to three weeks, which can move her from the first trimester into the second," says Cristina Page, program director of the residency training initiative at NARAL-NY. "The delays are absurd." HHC's Zimmerman says there is no evidence of "significant delays" in the city hospitals.
Bloomberg's plan is particularly notable because it commits public resources to abortion when, nationally, the trend has been in the other direction. Since a 1992 Supreme Court decision allowed the state of Missouri to refuse to use public funds to pay for abortions, government involvement in abortion has become particularly dicey. Pro-life groups are unlikely to let the mayor's proposal go unchallenged.
"Abortion is an elective procedure that indisputably ends the life of a child. For the mayor to elevate this to the level of medical care is dreadful," says Lori Hougens, spokesperson for the New York State Right to Life Committee. "I'm sure it's going to be a violation of the law."
Hougens wouldn't say whether her group is planning a lawsuit. But even in New York—where abortion was legalized three years before the Supreme Court established the right nationally and which is now one of only 15 states that allow Medicaid to pay for abortions—the pro-choice movement's new best friend can expect hurdles ahead. Some of the medical schools that have training contracts with HHC, such as New York Medical College, are associated with the Archdiocese of New York, which is opposed to all abortion. And while the mayor has also suggested that Medicaid recipients shouldn't be assigned to managed-care plans that don't provide abortions, Right to Life's Hougens warns that such a move would discriminate against Catholic managed-care plans.
Bloomberg has floated yet another pro-choice proposal: to require hospitals to offer emergency contraception to all victims of sexual assault brought to their emergency rooms. In sum, Hougens refers to the new mayor's reproductive-policy plans as a "tragic disgrace."
Abortion war veterans are used to the rhetoric. "There will be some concerns raised," predicts Joan Malin, CEO of Planned Parenthood of New York City—but she is nonetheless optimistic that, if he turns out to have the political will, Bloomberg will be able to push through his plan.
Tell us what you think. editor@villagevoice.com E-mail this story to a friend
The day after the election, I said that it was like watching Iran beat Iraq in a war.
I suspect, like the stadium proposals, this item will go into the "maybe when we finish rebuilding downtown and have discretionary funds" pile.
"It's extremely brave," says Lois Backus
Spare me, Lois. As if Bloomy can expect any heat in NYC for this decision.
The NY Times is seriously considering abandoning their “Democratic candidates only” endorsement policy, for a minute.
| Table 19: Induced Abortion Summary Information by Race/Ethnicity | ||||||||||||||
| New York State 1999 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Total1 | White | Black | Other | Hispanic2 | ||||||||||
| Number | Percent | Number | Percent | Number | Percent | Number | Percent | Number | Percent | |||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Total Abortions | 132,681 | 100.0 | 61,773 | 100.0 | 55,393 | 100.0 | 6,104 | 100.0 | 33,997 | 100.0 | ||||
| Woman's Age | ||||||||||||||
| <15 | 829 | 0.6 | 323 | 0.5 | 439 | 0.8 | 10 | 0.2 | 220 | 0.6 | ||||
| 15-17 | 9,425 | 7.1 | 4,439 | 7.2 | 4,032 | 7.3 | 242 | 4.0 | 2,494 | 7.3 | ||||
| 18-19 | 13,824 | 10.4 | 6,744 | 10.9 | 5,560 | 10.1 | 474 | 7.8 | 3,649 | 10.7 | ||||
| 20-24 | 39,609 | 29.9 | 19,205 | 31.1 | 16,180 | 29.3 | 1,521 | 25.0 | 11,134 | 32.8 | ||||
| 25-29 | 31,020 | 23.4 | 14,019 | 22.7 | 13,280 | 24.0 | 1,599 | 26.3 | 8,096 | 23.8 | ||||
| 30-34 | 21,229 | 16.0 | 9,420 | 15.3 | 9,158 | 16.6 | 1,152 | 18.9 | 5,094 | 15.0 | ||||
| 35-39 | 12,505 | 9.4 | 5,558 | 9.0 | 5,176 | 9.4 | 797 | 13.1 | 2,565 | 7.6 | ||||
| 40-44 | 3,756 | 2.8 | 1,819 | 3.0 | 1,388 | 2.5 | 275 | 4.5 | 649 | 1.9 | ||||
| 45+ | 244 | 0.2 | 130 | 0.2 | 81 | 0.1 | 18 | 0.3 | 45 | 0.1 | ||||
| Gestation | ||||||||||||||
| <9 Weeks | 71,118 | 57.5 | 35,243 | 59.7 | 29,038 | 54.6 | 3,770 | 64.6 | 19,084 | 58.7 | ||||
| 9-10 Weeks | 25,427 | 20.6 | 11,925 | 20.2 | 11,159 | 21.0 | 1,098 | 18.8 | 6,505 | 20.0 | ||||
| 11-12 Weeks | 12,856 | 10.4 | 5,873 | 10.0 | 5,953 | 11.2 | 444 | 7.6 | 3,299 | 10.1 | ||||
| 13-15 Weeks | 7,393 | 6.0 | 3,179 | 5.4 | 3,670 | 6.9 | 244 | 4.2 | 1,974 | 6.1 | ||||
| 16-19 Weeks | 4,590 | 3.7 | 1,876 | 3.2 | 2,268 | 4.3 | 189 | 3.2 | 1,137 | 3.5 | ||||
| 20+ Weeks | 2,319 | 1.9 | 903 | 1.5 | 1,109 | 2.1 | 92 | 1.6 | 525 | 1.6 | ||||
| Previous Abortions | ||||||||||||||
| None | 53,358 | 41.8 | 28,725 | 47.3 | 18,437 | 33.7 | 2,761 | 46.0 | 12,941 | 38.7 | ||||
| 1 | 34,933 | 27.4 | 16,107 | 26.5 | 15,718 | 28.7 | 1,681 | 28.0 | 9,430 | 28.2 | ||||
| 2 | 20,454 | 16.0 | 8,479 | 14.0 | 10,329 | 18.9 | 890 | 14.8 | 5,706 | 17.1 | ||||
| 3 | 9,824 | 7.7 | 3,857 | 6.4 | 5,283 | 9.7 | 376 | 6.3 | 2,740 | 8.2 | ||||
| 4 | 4,667 | 3.7 | 1,844 | 3.0 | 2,534 | 4.6 | 157 | 2.6 | 1,355 | 4.1 | ||||
| 5+ | 4,331 | 3.4 | 1,695 | 2.8 | 2,374 | 4.3 | 133 | 2.2 | 1,255 | 3.8 | ||||
| Institution | ||||||||||||||
| Hospital | 14,585 | 11.0 | 6,453 | 10.4 | 6,213 | 11.2 | 747 | 12.2 | 3,886 | 11.4 | ||||
| Not in Hospital | 118,096 | 89.0 | 55,320 | 89.6 | 49,180 | 88.8 | 5,357 | 87.8 | 30,111 | 88.6 | ||||
| Financial Coverage | ||||||||||||||
| Medicaid | 48,192 | 38.2 | 20,566 | 34.3 | 24,409 | 45.2 | 1,158 | 19.4 | 15,648 | 47.1 | ||||
| HMO | 4,317 | 3.4 | 3,267 | 5.4 | 785 | 1.5 | 55 | 0.9 | 147 | 0.4 | ||||
| Other Ins | 21,866 | 17.3 | 8,512 | 14.2 | 10,858 | 20.1 | 1,104 | 18.5 | 3,922 | 11.8 | ||||
| Self Pay | 51,731 | 41.0 | 27,535 | 45.9 | 17,888 | 33.1 | 3,656 | 61.2 | 13,498 | 40.6 | ||||
| More Than One | 167 | 0.1 | 71 | 0.1 | 76 | 0.1 | 4 | 0.1 | 8 | 0.0 | ||||
| Operative Procedure | ||||||||||||||
| D & C | 8,862 | 6.8 | 4,166 | 6.8 | 3,345 | 6.1 | 495 | 8.2 | 2,655 | 7.9 | ||||
| Suction & Cur | 108,497 | 82.8 | 51,307 | 84.0 | 44,667 | 81.6 | 5,054 | 83.8 | 28,032 | 83.2 | ||||
| D & E | 14,927 | 11.4 | 6,806 | 11.1 | 6,414 | 11.7 | 474 | 7.9 | 3,174 | 9.4 | ||||
| Saline Injection | 484 | 0.4 | 74 | 0.1 | 401 | 0.7 | 6 | 0.1 | 62 | 0.2 | ||||
| Prostaglandin | 123 | 0.1 | 52 | 0.1 | 10 | 0.0 | 1 | 0.0 | 6 | 0.0 | ||||
| Medical | 1,281 | 1.0 | 834 | 1.4 | 331 | 0.6 | 70 | 1.2 | 160 | 0.5 | ||||
| Other | 363 | 0.3 | 247 | 0.4 | 87 | 0.2 | 11 | 0.2 | 35 | 0.1 | ||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
| When there is more than one operative procedure, each operative procedure is counted separately. Thus the total of all operative procedures will be greater than the total of Induced Abortions. | ||||||||||||||
| For Induced Abortions occurring in New York City, only primary operative procedure is reported. | ||||||||||||||
| New York City combines saline and prostaglandin injection and this combination is reported in the saline injection procedure. | ||||||||||||||
| 1 Total Induced Abortions = White + Black + Other + Not Stated. Total includes records with Information Not Stated | ||||||||||||||
| 2 Hispanic Induced Abortions is a separate count equal to Hispanic White + Hispanic Black + Hispanic Other + Hispanic Not Stated | ||||||||||||||
Lets not get all drastic or anything.
He spends $65 million of his own money and wins the election.
This man voted for Clinton twice, Al Gore, and never voted for Rudy Giuliani.
I don't think republicans can be surprised by ANY of his actions and decisions.
Living the Gospel of Life, 31-37 refers to politicians
US Council of Catholic Bishops Views on Abortion
Is your Catholic politician an Abortionist? Check here to see if they are Herod's Heros
Catholic Seton Hall University, S. Orange, NJ, gives award to Pro-Abortion Politician
Pro Abortion Catholic Democrat Jim McGreevey ejects Ctholic Priest from Church Property
Homosexual Agenda Escalates in the Public Schools
How a few Pennsylvania pro-lifers helped decide the 2000 Presidential election
Please sign the Petition to the Pope to Excommunicate Pro-Abortion Catholic Politicians
Voter Guide of the New Jersey Family Policy Council
More Problems for Evolution: RNA World Theory Doesn't Hold Up
It's Time For A Mass Christian Exodus From The Public Schools
Catholic Democrats Now Control The Senate
Are children deliberately 'dumbed down' in school? {YES!!!}
Improving Training Of Abort Docs
Mike vows upgrade at public hospitals
By DAVE SALTONSTALL-- Daily News City Hall Bureau Chief
Mayor Bloomberg will raise the level of abortion training for medical school residents in city-owned hospitals — drawing loud cheers and jeers yesterday from those on opposite sides of the controversial issue.
Mayor Bloomberg During his campaign, Bloomberg vowed to upgrade the "current patchwork" training given to ob-gyn residents in the city's 11 public hospitals. Yesterday, one of his top aides confirmed Bloomberg intended to follow through with the plan.
"He said it in the campaign and he meant it," said Bill Cunningham, his communications director. "He is for it and he wants to proceed with it." Bloomberg's plan was hailed by pro-choice advocates yesterday as a brave step that could help ease shortages of fully trained obstetricians nationwide.
Nearly one in seven doctors nationwide is trained in a New York State hospital, they noted, and the hospitals often serve as models for those in other states.
"I don't know that there has been any other mayor to take such an action," said Kate Michelman, president of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL). "And it demonstrates that he takes a woman's right to choose, which he campaigned on, very seriously."
But Lori Hougens, a spokeswoman for the New York State Right to Life Committee, accused the new mayor of "shoving more abortions down the throats of New Yorkers."
"It is sad that in a city that has just suffered the loss of thousands of lives, the mayor wants to add to the carnage," Hougens said, adding her group was exploring a legal challenge.
About 100 residents graduate every year from ob-gyn programs at city Health and Hospitals Corp. facilities, but not all are fully trained in abortion procedures. Bloomberg's program would ensure all residents are offered the same full level of training, although they could opt out on moral grounds, according to a copy of the proposal.
The document notes that the same policy and opt-out provision is in effect at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where Bloomberg will serve as chairman of the board until May.
Tough to Fight If anti-abortion activists sue to stop the Bloomberg plan, they could face an uphill legal fight.
New York State allows public funds to be used for abortions through Medicaid, and Bloomberg is talking only about enhancing medical training.
"When it comes to medical procedures," said Cunningham, "as long as the courts have ruled they are legal and available to the public, you should have the best training possible."
I'm glad a Republican got elected, too, but this does not sound good for the unborn.
Why? Because he is a New! Republican? Or because you like the way "Republican" rolls off your lips?
Sorry, I can no longer support most "Republicans" these days. The New! GOPers are pro-death, anti-gun, pro big government, anti tax cut...turn on the tv and listen to republicans these days, and without seeing who is talking, better than half the time I think it's a democrat.
It has one of the highest cumulative total of dead babies -- with more dead black babies than born -- and has city schools where hordes of young people can't even pass 8th grade math and English and college graduates are fleeing to other states with less taxes and more business opportunities.
A state that kills its children - will be killing its old folks soon.
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.