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 CFSCs 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 Prescotts voice mail again and left him one last message. He never returned my call. I also spoke with Sen. Frists spokesman, Nick Smith. I explained to Smith my understanding that the terms of Frists "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 Frists position on abortionwhich has confounded pro-lifers over the yearsand 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, "Its a very private decision." One of Frists 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 Frists 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 hes against abortion, periodno 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 agreedboth said theyre personally opposed to abortion but dont 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 doesnt rule out tomorrowwhen he may be Senate majority leader. |
So you're saying that Frist is best qualified to identify judges who are pro-abortion because "it takes one to know one?"
Terrorists=disregard for innocent human life.
Abortionists=disregard for innocent human life.
There is no difference, other than the fact that the abortionists have killed exponentially more victims.
All Americans, born or unborn, have an unalienable, God-given right to life...guaranteed by our Declaration of Independence and the 5th Amendment to the Constitution.
This is an attack piece on Frist and you are right to encourage others to recognize that before they make up their minds.
Here are Frist's postions. On abortion it is exactly the same voting record as for Lott. I'll try to post the whole thing because it's more visible. It's found at click for frist positions
You're right, these are mainstream, respectable hospitals, not abortion mills as the headline implies.
You're right. I think the author proves pretty conclusively that he does still own the stock...so the word 'reputed' is probably not necessary.
Research might reveal that the number of 'white collar' crimes substantially decreased in NYC, post Sept. 11, 2001.
This is the typical suicidal behavior that the Republicans could use to lose the House and Senate in 2004.
I challenge all these high and mighty moralists to review and purge their own stock portfolios of "abortion friendly" stocks like any pharmaceutical company, any health care provider, anyone who could provide transportation to a clinic, anyone who produces food that abortion providers eat...
Get real, stay focused on the problems facing our country like...Demoncrats.
So anyone who wants to make an issue out of this had better stay out of any major hospitals because because if they don't, they're supporting abortion with their money.
And as such, he would be, in the eyes of the Frist supporters, imminently qualified to serve as ML.
Are you willing to do that? Or will the closest hospital be just fine with you?
BTW have you ever been treated or has any of your family members been treated at any of those hospitals? I'd be willing to bet you have.
To equate Bill Frist with Muslim homicidal bombers and terrorists is STUPID, WRONG, AND HOLIER-THAN-THOU SELF-RIGHTEOUS.
Your shrill, extremist form of one-issue abortion politics is no different than that of NARAL's, NOW's, and Planned Parenthood's. I have respect for neither of you.
Welcome Back, now behave yourself.
VoteMatch Responses (Click here for VoteMatch quiz) |
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VoteMatch Question & Answer (Click on question for explanation and background) |
Based on these stances: (Click on topic for excerpt & citation) |
Strongly Opposes Abortion is a woman's right (0 points on Social scale) |
Opposes: YES on disallowing overseas military abortions Strongly Opposes: YES on banning partial birth abortions Opposes: YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions |
Strongly Opposes Require companies to hire more women & minorities (10 points on Economic scale) |
Strongly Opposes: YES on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds Strongly Opposes: YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage Strongly Opposes: NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation Strongly Opposes: YES on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business Opposes: YES on prohibiting same-sex basic training Opposes: NO on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women |
Strongly Opposes Sexual orientation protected by civil rights laws (0 points on Social scale) |
Strongly Opposes: NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation Opposes: NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation |
Favors Teach moral standards In Public Schools (2 points on Social scale) |
Favors: Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. Strongly Favors: YES on $75M for abstinence education Neutral: YES on restricting violent videos to minors |
Opposes More Federal Funding for Health Coverage (7 points on Economic scale) |
Opposes: NO on medical savings acounts Opposes: YES on Medicare means-testing Opposes: YES on limiting self-employment health deduction Opposes: NO on increasing funds for Medicare prescriptions Opposes: NO on including prescription drugs under Medicare Opposes: YES on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit |
Favors Privatize Social Security (7 points on Economic scale) |
Favors: YES on deducting Social Security payments on income taxes Favors: YES on allowing Roth IRAs for retirees Favors: YES on allowing personal retirement accounts |
Strongly Favors Parents Choose Schools via Vouchers (10 points on Social scale) |
Strongly Favors: YES on school vouchers in DC Favors: YES on education savings accounts Strongly Favors: YES on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules Favors: YES on Educational Savings Accounts Favors: NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors Favors: NO on funding student testing instead of private tutors |
Favors Death Penalty (2 points on Social scale) |
Favors: YES on limiting death penalty appeals |
Favors Mandatory "Three Strikes" Sentencing Laws (2 points on Social scale) |
Favors: YES on more penalties for gun & drug violations Favors: NO on $1.15 billion per year to continue the COPS program |
Strongly Favors Absolute right to gun ownership (10 points on Social scale) |
Strongly Favors: YES on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks Favors: YES on loosening license & background checks at gun shows Strongly Favors: NO on background checks at gun shows |
Strongly Favors Make Income Tax Flatter & Lower (10 points on Economic scale) |
Favors: YES on Internet sales tax moratorium Strongly Favors: YES on FY99 tax cuts Favors: YES on requiring super-majority for raising taxes Favors: YES on $792B tax cuts Favors: YES on eliminating the 'marriage penalty' Favors: YES on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts Favors: NO on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates Strongly Favors: YES on cutting taxes by $1.35 trillion over 11 years Favors: NO on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction |
No opinion Immigration helps our economy-encourage it (5 points on Economic scale) |
Strongly Opposes: YES on limit welfare for immigrants Favors: YES on visas for skilled workers Favors: YES on allowing more foreign workers into the U.S. for farm work |
Favors Support & Expand Free Trade (7 points on Economic scale) |
Favors: YES on fast track trading authority Favors: YES on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority Favors: YES on expanding trade to the third world Favors: YES on removing common goods from national security export rules |
Opposes Link Human Rights to trade with China (7 points on Social scale) |
Favors: NO on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons Strongly Opposes: YES on permanent normal trade relations with China Opposes: YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam |
Strongly Favors More Spending on Armed Forces Personnel (0 points on Economic scale) |
Favors: YES on 1996 Defense Appropriations Strongly Favors: YES on favoring 36 vetoed military projects Favors: NO on allowing another round of military base closures Strongly Favors: YES on military pay raise of 4.8% |
Strongly Opposes Reduce spending on Missile Defense ("Star Wars") (10 points on Economic scale) |
Opposes: YES on deploying missile defense as soon as possible Opposes: YES on cutting nuclear weapons below START levels Opposes: NO on adopting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Strongly Opposes: YES on deploying National Missile Defense ASAP |
Opposes Continue Foreign Aid to Russia, Israel, & others (7 points on Economic scale) |
Opposes: NO on limiting NATO expansion to only Poland, Hungary & Czech Favors: YES on $17.9 billion to IMF Opposes: YES on cap foreign aid at only $12.7 billion Neutral: NO on authorizing air strikes in Kosovo Neutral: YES on allowing all necessary forces and other means in Kosovo |
Opposes Spend Resources to Stop Global Warming (7 points on Economic scale) |
Favors: YES on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests Strongly Opposes: YES on defunding renewable and solar energy Opposes: NO on keeping CAFE fuel efficiency standards Opposes: YES on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling Opposes: YES on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior |
Strongly Favors Drug use is immoral: enforce laws against it (0 points on Social scale) |
Strongly Favors: YES on spending international development funds on drug control Favors: YES on more penalties for gun & drug violations Favors: YES on increasing penalties for drug offenses |
Favors Allow churches to provide welfare services (2 points on Social scale) |
Favors: YES on welfare overhaul Favors: YES on allowing state welfare waivers Favors: NO on eliminating block grants for food stamps Favors: YES on welfare block grants |
Bill Frist is a Moderate Conservative. Click here for explanation. |
Believe me, at the moment, the feeling is mutual.
Have a nice day.
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