HBI
Opposition Strategy
The overturning of Roe was a fantastic victory for the pro-life movement, a turning point in the fight to protect life. Many of us were excited to turn our focus to our states to pass legislation protecting preborn babies. However, we are now seeing a concerning trend where pro-abortion activists are attempting to accomplish locally what they failed to do federally, place the "right" to abortion into the constitution.
These efforts began in abortion-friendly states like California and Vermont in 2021, but now, traditionally pro-life states are being targeted. Ohio is one of the first, with Issue 1 on the ballot for November 2023, and there could be up to six state initiatives of this kind in 2024.
By amending state constitutions, pro-abortion groups can bypass pro-life majority state legislatures that would never support removing all protections for women and allowing abortion through all nine months of pregnancy. Using ballot initiatives, they can write incredibly broad language that is misleading to voters. Big Abortion hides behind the ambiguity and statements of "reproductive freedom" in an attempt to obscure the true impacts of the amendments.
In Ohio, for example, the amendment states that:
"Every individual has a right to make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions..."
The authors intentionally use the term "individual" to ensure that the amendment applies to minors and will remove all laws regarding parental notification.
The proposed amendment also states:
"Abortion may be prohibited after fetal viability. But in no case may such an abortion be prohibited if in the professional judgment of the pregnant patient’s treating physician it is necessary to protect the pregnant patient’s life or health."
While this may at first seem like Ohio would be able to pass a law prohibiting abortions after viability, the addition of the word "health" allows the physician to perform an abortion for essentially any reason. They could easily claim that the abortion was necessary for the betterment of her mental health. (The full text of the proposed amendment can be found here.)
Another issue with this strategy is that the process of reversing constitutional amendments is difficult and highly costly. In 2022, the campaigns for and against Michigan's Proposal 3, the Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative, spent over 68 million dollars. The pro-abortion groups won after spending almost 48 million dollars, and the pro-life advocates spent just over 21 million. Campaigns of this magnitude cannot be run year after year, and pro-abortion groups understand this. They know if they can pass one amendment, it will likely prevent that state from restricting abortion in any way for many years to come, and the pro-life majority legislatures can do nothing to change that.
Constitutional amendments are an extreme way to change laws in a state. In fact, many states do not allow for these citizen-initiated constitutional amendments. Of the 50 states, there are only 18 in which citizens can gather signatures to place an amendment onto the ballot. Many of these states require only a 50% +1 majority for these amendments to pass, while others require the ballot measure to receive at least 60%. With this in mind, pro-abortion activists are targeting otherwise pro-life states like Missouri, South Dakota, and Ohio, because they believe they can get a simple majority of voters to go along with their ambiguous amendments.
To overcome these attacks on life, it is important that we fully understand the new battleground that has developed post-Roe. The fight has shifted back to each individual state, but we must also keep in mind the bigger picture and understand what attacks are on the horizon. Big Abortion is not satisfied with just ensuring California and New York are sanctuaries for abortion; they want every state to enshrine abortion as a "right" in their constitution. Because of this, we must also continue our work of pushing back against the lies that tell women they are not capable of being a mother. Whether you live in a Life State or an Abortion State, you are uniquely positioned to speak the truth and champion life!
Additional Info
- Theme Color Grey
- Show Stay Updated? [bottom] No
- Show Donate Now? [bottom] No
- Show Video? No
- WTH1 Link Recommended Resources
- WTH2 Link Stop the Abortion Agenda
- WTH3 Link For Affiliated Organizations
Parents Facing Prenatal Diagnosis Have a New Support Resource
August 28, 2023
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
New way to connect parents to those who can help them navigate their unique circumstance
COLUMBUS, OH - Prenatal Diagnosis Initiative (PDI), a working group of pregnancy support organizations, has launched its PrenatalDiagnosis.org website. This resource serves parents facing a prenatal diagnosis and gives them access to accurate information on prenatal genetic screening and diagnostic testing, support resources, various prenatal diagnoses, and pregnancy options. Contributors to the website include Heartbeat International and Option Line, Charlotte Lozier Institute, Her PLAN, Be Not Afraid, and String of Pearls.
The website also links users to Heartbeat International’s 24/7 pregnancy-related helpline, Option Line, that connects parents facing a diagnosis to a Parent Care Coordinator (PCC) in their region. PCCs are trained to provide trauma-informed care to parents throughout the rest of their pregnancy and for one year following birth. This care includes help navigating medical options, advocating for their baby, developing a plan for birth and newborn care, offering grief support, and more.
PDI recognizes that parents who have received a prenatal diagnosis are facing unexpected challenges and they deserve care and support as they contemplate the next steps for themselves, their baby, and the rest of their family. The website was born out of a desire to provide medically accurate, trauma-informed information to parents or family members who may be searching after receiving a positive screening or diagnostic test result. Option Line and its connection to a PCC will help meet the needs of those parents with compassionate care and support.
“After fourteen years of supporting parents carrying to term following a prenatal diagnosis, our organization recognized the need to develop a professional training program that was trauma-informed, research-based, parent-centered, and life affirming. We feel blessed to support other organizations in the development of services which address the crisis of a prenatal diagnosis with comprehensive support, and we are very happy with the feedback we are getting from those who have completed the Be Not Afraid Parent Care Coordinator Training,” said Tracy Winsor, Be Not Afraid Co-Founder and Parent Program Director.
“Upon receiving a positive prenatal test result, parents deserve to receive the best information available regarding carrying their child to term and an offer of support in walking the journey. I've seen firsthand the positive impact for children, families, and communities.” - Gary Thome, Heartbeat International board member and PDI founding member
###
Prenatal Diagnosis Initiative is a collaboration of Heartbeat International, Option Line, Charlotte Lozier Institute, Her PLAN, Be Not Afraid, and String of Pearls. Learn more at PrenatalDiagnosis.org
Help Reach Her Campaign
Her Problem:
- She feels alone
- She encounters relentless marketing promoting abortion
- She feels forced to make a quick decision
- She knows few options beyond abortion
- She has medical questions and concerns
Her Solution:
The Option Line contact center answers cries for help 24/7/365, provides bilingual service every hour, and connects with 1,100 abortion shoppers each day providing them with immediate care and connecting them to life-affirming pregnancy help. Since 2003, more than 5 Million women have contacted Option Line for help.
You have an opportunity to bring hopeful messages about options, resources, and the value of a child to key influencers.
- The average woman is uninformed about life-affirming pregnancy options when abortion shopping
- Help prepare her influencers with critical language that supports her and encourages life decisions
- We need to combat the increased selling of abortion by Big Media
- Potential Reach = Nearly 100M for each Cable-TV commercial and digital campaign
As non-profits and 501(c)(3) organizations, it can be confusing to understand what you are allowed and not allowed to do when it comes to elections. While this confusion can make it easier to sit on the sidelines, these issues are too important to leave in the hands of others. You know firsthand how abortion harms women. You are the expert on what women truly need to be able to succeed and choose life for their babies! This November it is far too vital that you speak up for life.
The good news is that non-profits are allowed to be engaged in advocacy for constitutional amendments! The IRS states that a 501(c)(3) may participate in political activities as long as they constitute an insubstantial part of the overall expenditures. An insubstantial amount is generally considered 5 to 15 percent of a 501(c)(3)’s funds, although the IRS does not provide a specific definition. For an in-depth breakdown of the guidelines, you can read the "Guidelines for Political Activities of Not-For-Profit Organizations". Listed on pages 8 and 9 is a comprehensive list of approved activities.
Below are a few key ways that you and your organization can get involved in the election and advocate for life!
Register to Vote
First and foremost, make sure that you are registered to vote! Your vote is critical in November and future lives depend on it. Please take time now to make sure that you are registered to vote here!
After that, make sure that your supporters are registered as well! In newsletters and emails, you can remind those who support your mission that their involvement in the election matters.
Check your Voting Deadlines
With the rise in early and absentee voting, it is even more important for you to be aware of your state's election deadlines! You can find your state's information here, and ensure that you are educating your audiences before they head to the polls.
Join or Create Your State's Pregnancy Help Coalition
Now it is more important than ever to connect with like-minded pregnancy help organizations. By joining together with pregnancy help organizations in your state, you can better collaborate and understand the issues facing your communities. We are stronger together! Find the coalitions in your state here.
Connect with Local Pro-Life Groups
As elections arise in your state, groups like your local Right to Life and Family Research Council will be great resources to equip you with talking points and educational tools. You can find your local Family Research Council here, and your state's Right to Life group here!
Educate Your Supporters
Now that you are registered, understand the deadlines, and have partnered with other pro-life groups, it is time to communicate with your supporters and make sure that they understand what is at stake in the upcoming election! Don't assume that because they support your organization, they will vote to protect life. They may not be politically engaged, or they may not understand the true ramifications of these constitutional amendments. It is important that you use your voice to help them make sense of all the noise, especially as an organization that they trust when it comes to supporting women and their babies.
Additional Info
- Theme Color Patriotic-Red
- Show Stay Updated? [bottom] No
- Show Donate Now? [bottom] No
- Show Video? No
Constitutional amendments are an extreme way to change laws in a state. In fact, many states do not allow for these citizen-initiated constitutional amendments. Of the 50 states, there are only 18 in which citizens can gather signatures to place an amendment onto the ballot. Many of these states require only a 50% +1 majority for these amendments to pass, while others require the ballot measure to receive at least 60%. With this in mind, pro-abortion activists are targeting otherwise pro-life states like Missouri, South Dakota, and Ohio, because they believe they can get a simple majority of voters to go along with their ambiguous amendments.
Over the next year, we are likely to see close to 10 different abortion-related constitutional amendments. These range from Ohio's initiative that would remove all abortion restrictions, to Iowa's which would ensure that there is no right to abortion in their constitution. You can find the details for each of these upcoming ballot initiatives below. As the coalitions to support or counter these amendments form, we will be adding more information so that you can stay informed. You can also find a full list of the upcoming issues on Ballotpedia here.
On the Ballot in 2023
OHIO
The "Ohio Issue 1, Right to Make Reproductive Decisions Including Abortion Initiative" would greenlight abortion all the way up to birth by giving abortionists the final say on what’s allowed. This issue is intentionally written to be vague and broad so that it will stop the state legislature from creating any restrictions on abortion and other "reproductive decisions" for both adults and children.
The local pro-life groups have come together to form Protect Women Ohio to counter the pro-abortion amendment. Check out and download their talking points here!
Read more about the ballot proposal from National Review.
On the Ballot in 2024
MARYLAND
Maryland Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment
NEW YORK
New York Equal Protection of Law Amendment
Proposed for 2024
ARIZONA
Arizona Abortion Access Act Amendment
FLORIDA
Florida Prohibit Laws Restricting Abortion Initiative
IOWA
Iowa No State Constitutional Right to Abortion Amendment
MISSOURI
Missouri Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment
NEBRASKA
Nebraska Prohibit Abortion Procedures and Drugs Initiative
PENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania No State Constitutional Right to Abortion Amendment
SOUTH DAKOTA
South Dakota Right to Abortion Amendment
Past Ballot Initiatives
CALIFORNIA: California Proposition 1, Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment – Passed
KANSAS: Kansas No State Constitutional Right to Abortion and Legislative Power to Regulate Abortion Amendment – Failed
KENTUCKY: Kentucky Constitutional Amendment 2, No Right to Abortion in Constitution Amendment – Failed
MICHIGAN: Michigan Proposal 3, Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative – Passed
MONTANA: Montana LR-131, Medical Care Requirements for Born-Alive Infants Measure – Failed
VERMONT: Vermont Proposal 5, Right to Personal Reproductive Autonomy Amendment – Passed
Additional Info
- Theme Color Patriotic-Red
- Show Stay Updated? [bottom] Yes
- Show Donate Now? [bottom] Yes
- Video Block: Title media
- Show Video? Yes
- Extra Text Block: Title Register now
-
Extra Text Block: Content
-
WTH1 Content
- WTH1 Link Recommended Resources
-
WTH2 Content
- WTH2 Link Stop the Abortion Agenda
-
WTH3 Content
- WTH3 Link For Affiliated Organizations
More...
Babies Go to Congress
Heartbeat International’s Babies Go to Congress campaign may be one of the most powerful Pro-Life events on Capitol Hill. Just imagine your lawmakers meeting with women who chose life at your center! Working with you and your clients, we can communicate with various congressional offices from both sides of the aisle. After all, who can turn away smiling mothers, with happy babies in hand, who share their stories of the love and support they found at their local pregnancy help center?
One by one these moms will share their stories of how your organization helped them through a difficult time in their life. Some with a pregnancy test, some with housing, some with ultrasound, and some with mentorship programs... each story is different but highlights the fact that once each woman walked through your door, you continued to build a relationship and invest in them.
Pregnancy help centers are great for America. We know this. Women know this. Your centers and organizations provided resources and support when no one else did.
View the news coverage for our 2023 Babies Go to Congress event below:
Additional articles can be found in Townhall, the Daily Signal, CBN, and CNS News, as well as coverage in our very own Pregnancy Help News.
Because of organizations like yours, we are able to continue bringing mothers and babies to Washington, D.C., to deliver the good news of pregnancy help! Will you join us?
Thanks to centers like yours, more than 180 moms and babies have gone to D.C. and told their stories in nearly 400 Congressional offices since our first trip in 2009! Every one of these moms and their babies are living proof that pregnancy centers are great for America.
Why You Should Join Babies Go to Congress
Did you also know that your center can greatly benefit from participating in Babies Go to Congress?
Here are just a few ways that your center can benefit:
1. Local and National Media Exposure
Babies Go to Congress is an excellent way for you to utilize local and national media to tout the good work that your ministry is doing in your community. We all know the constant attacks on pregnancy help centers that are being released from mainstream media, but no reporter can argue with a woman's real-life story of finding help and support at your center.
2. Media/Event Training
While participating in Babies Go to Congress you will receive training that is vital when talking to the media. Heartbeat will train you in developing talking points that will keep you on target when speaking to friendly or unfriendly media outlets. Through this training you will also be empowered to return home and have your own "Babies Go to Congress" event in your state capitol or city.
3. Donor Relations
What donor doesn't enjoy giving to a specific project? Participating in Babies Go to Congress is not free. But it does open a golden opportunity for you to engage your donors in the lead-up to a major event that will make a major impact on a national level.
4. Pictures and Videos
Your center will have access and rights to the high-quality images and videos captured at Babies Go to Congress. Many centers have found these images to be very useful for events, banquets, and donor relations pieces.
5. The March for Life
Have you ever participated in the national March for Life? If not, this is an opportunity you do not want to miss! The March for Life is the largest gathering of pro-life people in the country. It is a powerful event that will energize and inspire you and your group. You will go home wanting to share this experience with everyone you know and make plans to attend next year!
