Frist a Major Shareholder in Reputed For-Profit Abortion Provider

Human Events ^ | 12-20-02 | Terry Jeffrey

[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.

[sitetest]

Dear Gophack,

"I don't know the answers to all of your questions, but the research I posted shows that at HCA hospitals and facilities they perform abortions."

I'm sorry, but I haven't found anything adequate in your links, yet. From one link there is this:

"Like other conservative mutual funds, the Timothy Plan screens out questionable companies based on their products, services or employment policies. The fund's list of do-not-buy businesses approaches 400. They include Time Warner (publishes pornography), Dayton Hudson (supports Planned Parenthood), Columbia HCA Healthcare Corporation (performs abortions), Pharmacia Corporation (makes abortion medications) and Rick's Cabaret International (runs a chain of strip bars)."

That just doesn't cut it. I want some documentation.

And I want context.

1. Most abortions are performed at free-standing clinics, and HCA apparently owns none of those.

2. When an abortion is botched, the woman procuring the abortion must be transferred to a hospital, in order to save her life. At that point, the baby is likely dead or beyond saving. If the hospital completes the abortion, does that count as "performing abortions"?

3. Individual doctors with their own practices are granted privileges at hospitals. They operate on their clients in the hospitals at which they have privileges. The doctor is not employed by the hospital. By having privileges, he has the right to access to the hospital's operating rooms. Does this count as "performing abortions"? What if HCA is administering a public hospital (not an unusual circumstance)? What if the public policy, not set by HCA, is that the hospital must grant privileges to abortionists?

4. I found one link to a hospital that was recently spun off from HCA. Its website made reference to the fact that they will continue to abide by the court order REQUIRING the hospital to perform abortions. If HCA is under court order to permit abortions in some of their hospitals, does that count as "performing abortions"?

5. In a link that I have already provided, the ACLU criticizes HCA for voluntarily entering into "no abortion here" agreements with private hospitals with which it enters into partnerships. Please reconcile that criticism with the accusation.

As to Dr. Tiller, he is vermin. But his website indicates that he is medical director of his own privately-held baby murder facility, with a minor link to the HCA facility.

I'm open-minded that HCA may be voluntarily initiating the murder of babies in some or many of its facilities. But I need to see some evidence.

You haven't shown any, yet. Just accusations by others.


sitetest

[Aristophanes]

Check out Art. III, Section 2., Para. 2:

In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those in which a state shall be party, the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations as the Congress shall make.

[CA Conservative]

I salute you for taking the steps you have taken when your children were born. We did the same when our children were born.

Frist's history on abortion is conflicting (he has said that he is "personally pro-life but" thinks abortion should remain legal, then flipped and said he was pro-life except rape, incest, life of mother.)

Flipped? So you don't think someone can become more pro-life? You don't think a person can have a moral or spiritual enlightening on this issue?

HCA is a major provider of abortions, including late-term abortions...

Assuming facts not in evidence. As another poster pointed out, Dr. Tiller has his own abortuary, and he has admitting privileges at the local HCA hospital. If you read his web site carefully, you would have seen that he has been in private practice and running his own abortion clinic since the mid-70's. He hasn't been on the staff of the local HCA hospital since 1980 (and we don't know if it was owned by HCA at that time.) In other words, the only association George Tiller has with Bill Frist is that over 20 years ago, he used to be on the staff of a hospital that may or may not have been owned at the time by a company that was owned by the brother and father of Bill Frist. BTW, Tiller has his own clinic, he doesn't do abortions at the HCA hospital...

Your list from St. Antonius does not state in what way HCA funds abortions, but from looking at the pamphlet, it seems to use a very broad definition for "funding abortion". Just to give you how broad that definition is, the pamphlet only lists 2 corporations that can be considered "pro-life": Carls Jr. and Dominos Pizza. So if you are going to be a pure pro-lifer, you'd better like hamburgers and pizza, because according to these people, if you do business with any other major corporation in America, you are supporting abortion. The Tennessee Right to Life website uses the same sources to declare HCA an abortion supporter, but also does not specify what criteria are used to make this determination.

I'm sorry, but your research so far just seems to be repeating what other groups have said, without providing any supporting documentation to back it up. No has yet provided any facts to substantiate a claim that HCA is a "major provider of abortion services."

[CA Conservative]

Tiller is the medical director of HCA Wesley in Wichita, an HCA facility. They employ him.

Actually, no. He is the director of Women's Health Care, his own private clinic. He was last on the staff of Wesley Medical Center in 1980.

[P-Marlowe]

Now Arisophanes, you're a smart guy, you're a greek philosopher, tell me: Who do you think gets to interpret that clause?

Now after you've answered that question, do you think that the same people who get to interpret that clause are going to interpret it to mean that the Supreme Court would not have jurisdiction over those matters which are contained in the various amendments to the Constitution, such as the Bill of Rights?

Getting around Article III Section 2 Paragraph 2 is a walk in the park compared to how the SCOTUS twisted the constitution to come up with Roe v. Wade.

Even if the congress were to strip the Supreme Court of appellate jurisdiction, that would not mean that the Congress could eliminate all appellate jurisdiction from all Federal Courts as this would clearly violate the 5th and 14th amendment rights to due process and these amendments would supercede any limitations on due process that could be otherwise be interpreted to be within Art 3, §2 para 2.

The bottom line: It won't work. So don't even bother going there. Trust me on this one. I'm trained in this field.

[Gophack]

Thank you for clarifying the information I posted. I in no way meant to mislead, I skimmed the site and it appeared the Tiller said he was presently the medical director of HCA Wesley. I'll re-read the information.

Yes, I believe that someone can have a change of heart on abortion. Many people have, including abortionists. I hope and pray Frist is with us. I looked at his pro-life rating, and it's solid over the last two years.

Still, there is evidence that HCA provides abortions at some of their hospitals. I don't believe Frist should be profiting off these abortions. I will continue to look into this, particularly if he is elected Majority Leader.

Finally, there are other good people mentioned as being up for Leader like Santorum and Inhofre (sp??). I think they should be looked at as well.

God bless.

[Gophack]

You make valid points, and after the initial posts I haven't had time to look into this. I will continue to see what is out there.

However, you know that often we have to rely on the information of others. One of the sites I posted had listed documentation where the evidence was found. Much of these research can't be found on the internet at all. I think that was the Saint Antoninus Institute. They have proven to be a reputable source of information in the past. They say where they obtained the information (such as corporate grants and IRS forms) and I trust what they have posted.

The other sites I posted I have no opinion as to the accuracy because I had never been to the sites before or dealt with the information.

Thanks for your review, and I'll hopefully be able to answer your questions tonight.

[sitetest]

Dear Gophack,

"However, you know that often we have to rely on the information of others."

I understand that. The problem is that the more I look for evidence of fire related to this smoke, the less evidence of fire that I see, and the more it appears like someone's rigged up the smoke machines.

The stuff from the St. Antoninus site is so vague, that I can't evaulate for myself whether it is fair or not.

I appreciate all your efforts in this regard.

If there is evidence that HCA is pro-abort, then Sen. Frist ought to divest himself of his stock.

But like I said, I've seen a lot of accusations, but no real evidence.


sitetest

[CA Conservative]

Still, there is evidence that HCA provides abortions at some of their hospitals.

You are probably right. As others on these threads have pointed out, if they are public hospitals or receive public funding (for instance, HCA/Wesley seems to be a teaching hospital for the University of Kansas), they may be required by law to permit abortions. But this is not a corporation founded to provide abortion services, and they have gone out of their way to restrict such services when possible (see other posts on this thread for more detail.)

As I pointed out on my last post, if Frist did divest his stock in HCA, according to the other sources you cited, he would only be able to invest in Dominos Pizza or Carl's Junior - to invest in practically any other public corporation in America would be supporting abortion, according to them.

[CA Conservative]

Finally, there are other good people mentioned as being up for Leader like Santorum and Inhofre (sp??). I think they should be looked at as well.

Inhofe is supporting Frist, and Santorum decided not to run for the post. IF someone else declares an interest, I would be happy to look at them. I am not a Frist partisan, but he would make a good ML, as would several others. But so far, Frist is the only one running.

[P-Marlowe]

Actually Carl Karcher Enterprises removed Carl Karcher as the CEO because he was considered too controversial in regard to his pro-life positions. The corporation is no longer a family business and is no longer actively or even inactively pro-life.

That may leave Domino's as the only viable investment. And frankly, with all due respect to the pro-life cause, I can't stomach a Domino's pizza.

[sitetest]

Dear patent,

[This is my punishment for posting hastily.]

"'Sen. Frist appears to have started out as pro-abort, and has seemingly changed to a pro-lifer.

"'Are you saying that's unacceptable?'

"No, that isn’t even close to what I’m saying. I don’t see how saying 'I’ll take it in one of 51, not in the leader of the 51' can lead you to think I don’t want people to switch to the pro-life position."

Ouch! That really came out wrong, on my part. I wasn't sure that you initially read my post correctly, where I contrasted folks who had gone pro-life to pro-abort with Sen. Frist, who seems to have gone in the opposite direction.

I was concerned that you had initially read my post as saying that Sen. Frist had also moved from the pro-life to the pro-abort direction, and I was trying to make clear that I'd said the opposite, in contrast.

When I said, "Are you saying that's unacceptable?"

I was just trying to emphasize the actual meaning of what I said, not to actually suggest that you would think it's bad to switch to the pro-life position. I apologize for my execrable wording. I would never EVER have insulted you in that way.

Now, to the rest of your post.

"What I don’t want is this man, who seems tepidly pro-life at best, and who continues to support pro-aborts and abortion AFTER this supposed switch, as majority leader. If he seemed to be a real convert, I could accept him. He does not seem pro-life to me, despite the votes, when you consider his entire record."

Well, his votes are 100% pro-life, at this point. His publicly announced positions on abortion are about as pro-life as one can get and still be electable at the level of US Senator.

He supported David Satcher, but frankly, patent, Dr. Satcher was from his home state. Failing to support Dr. Satcher would have caused a stink in his own state. I don't expect politicians to fall over themselves to alienate key constituencies in their own states.

I'm not sure what else you're looking at.

Now, back to what put me in hot water in the first place. ;-)

"If even Mr. Gore had to pretend to be pro-life to get elected in TN, don’t you think that its possible Mr. Frist has recognized the same?"

That's part of my point. Sen. Frist seems to have originally been elected as a pro-CHOICE fellow. Against an incumbent, if I recall correctly. He seems to have converted to being pro-life. I'm not sure that it is for political reasons. He WON in 1994, as a pro-CHOICE candidate. Why change?

It's possible that he changed just for politics. But the fact that he got elected as a pro-abort really knocks a leg or two out from under that argument.

"Second, as to the original question, I believe that post 495 provided sufficient support for what little I did say about HCA, which is just that they provide abortions."

The only evidence of abortion at HCA facilities that I gleaned from any of the links in post #495, is that an HCA emergency room apparently completed a botched abortion (where likely the baby was already dead) in order to save the life of the woman who procured the abortion. If that turns out to be the heart of these charges, then I hope that Sen. Frist enjoys all the profits from his HCA stock to which he is legally entitled.

Gophack alleges that Dr. Tiller is the medical director of HCA Wesley in Witchita. He is not. He owns his own free-standing clinic, unrelated to HCA, where he murders babies for money. He teaches on a part-time basis at HCA Wesley, ironically, in "Family Medicine". He apparently even performs second and third trimester abortions at his death chamber, but his primary affiliation with the Wesley Medical Center ended about 20 years ago.

"Regardless of that issue though, he still speaks like a pro abort, pro stem cell research, etc., and in my view a party with him as a majority leader does not represent me."

I really haven't heard enought of him to make a similar judgement. You may know a lot more about him than I do.


sitetest

[hellinahandcart]

Also posted was the fact that at one of their facilities infamous Dr. Tiller of late-term abortion fame is the medical director.

As I previously stated, his website says he is the medical director of Women's Health Care clinic, which performs late-term abortions. And that he also teaches at the University of Kansas Medical School/ HCA Wesley Hospital.

I suggest you read his website, it'll scare you. We need to pray for a conversion of his heart, because his actions are downright evil.

Oh, his clinic's site is hair-raising. It even has a page or two for ELECTIVE third-trimester abortions, and a real interesting discussion of "viability" (namely that they'll abort past the point of it).

[koax]

buenos dios!

your god p'd on my porsche and spoiled the paint!

i need to be compensated. send money now.

[ventana]

Having grown up in New Jersey, this post number 511 of yours strikes me as insightful, prescient, and right frickin on the money (pardon me). V's wife.

[Siobhan]

Thank you, Chancellor Palpatine. A rebuke from you and an attack on Catholics by you are both an encouragement and an inspiration to persevere.

Now that you have done your duty for the Dark Side of the Force you may slither away.

[mjaneangels@aolcom]

"Also posted was the fact that at one of their facilities infamous Dr. Tiller of late-term abortion fame is the medical director. I suggest you read his website, it'll scare you."

First of all, I would not believe anything on Tiller's site.

Second, I believe what my mother has told me regarding Tiller and hospitals here in Wichita. Several years ago Wesley was the only hospital that Tiller could practice at, but the Wesley stopped allowing him to practice there also.

Third, I went to the Wesley website and they listed each Medical Director according to department and Tiller was not included anywhere, then I searched Wesley site for the name George Tiller and there were no results found. Surely if he was a Medical Director they would have him on their site since one of the main functions of a Medical Director is PR.

I will ask dad when I see him this weekend since he is still involved with Kansans For Life, he will know if Tiller is back in good with Wesley, but I don't think so, because I think HCA was the reason he lost his ability to practice at Wesley.

[Siobhan]

Looks to me like a case of not being wrapped too tight, and having some book smarts, with no common sense.

You should get those cataracts removed.

[Denver Ditdat]

Until you have some evidence to back up what you are saying, stop insulting our intelligence, please.

18 hours later and The Old Hoosier still hasn't replied to this post. I'm not surprised.

[mjaneangels@aolcom]

"Tiller is the medical director of HCA Wesley in Wichita, an HCA facility. They employ him." Not according to Tiller's site or the HCA Wesley site. Tiller's site states that he was on the staff at Wesley until 1980. HCA did not take over Wesley until 1985.

Tiller does now work for the University of Kansas at the Wichita State University branch of HCA Wesley. In other words, he works for U of K and the location is at Wesley, but owned/operated by WSU.