CPC urgently needs your prayers!
Please read and forward to as many prayer partners as you can.
Dear Friends,
I received some alarming news late last week. A group called NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia (NARAL), which is part of the national group NARAL Pro Choice America, has launched a very strategic attack against pregnancy centers all across Virginia.
During most of 2009, NARAL sent people into pregnancy centers throughout Virginia pretending to be women in need of our services. This week they published a report making fallacious claims and accusations based on the experiences of these pretend clients.
On the very same day that they made this report available, NARAL held a news conference. They announced harmful legislation being considered in the Virginia General Assembly to regulate pregnancy centers in Virginia.
If the House Bill 452 and Senate Bill 188 are passed, the mission and ministries of pregnancy centers all across Virginia will be impacted. Part of this new regulation stipulates the following:
A copy of all materials distributed by the centers must be submitted to the state.
Any employee or volunteer of the pregnancy centers found to have violated any of the policies of this new regulation are subject to fines up to $500 per violation.
A sign prominently placed in our centers with letters almost an inch in size stating things such as we are "not an abortion clinic" and that we are "not required to maintain medical confidentiality or medical records in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)"
Although we are not required to do so, we voluntarily
uphold HIPAA standards. Confidentiality is a sacred trust
with the women we serve. We go above and beyond
to ensure that their information is protected. This
type of signage is unnecessary and would cause our clients
to distrust us.
It's hard to believe that legislation like this would ever be introduced based on a report from an obviously biased group like NARAL. However, it is a reality and I will be in hearings this week as a voice for Virginia's pregnancy centers because these bills are likely to be voted on NEXT WEEK.
This is a very well orchestrated effort leaving us with almost no time to defend ourselves. Would you activate your prayer teams and pray for us? May we glorify God and honor Jesus in our thoughts, words, and actions as we speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Please would you pass this on to others and call your state Senators and Delegates on our behalf?
As you know, CPC is not a political organization. We have been passionately serving women and their preborn children for over 25 years. Being thrust into the legislative process at the State Capital is a bit overwhelming... all the more reason why we cherish your prayers.
For Life,
Toby DeBause
President
Crisis Pregnancy Center of Tidewater
For more information:
President
Crisis Pregnancy Center of Tidewater
For more information:
CPC's Website: http://www.cpcfriends.org/
Find your state Senator or Delegate
Family Foundation's Blog regarding this legislation
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