Madison Surgery Center to Perform Second-Trimester Abortions

University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics and Meriter Hospital have come full circle. In 1982-83, two babies survived abortion attempts at UW Hospitals and Clinics and four babies survived abortion attempts at Meriter Hospital (formerly Madison General Hospital).

All of the babies died within 27 hours of birth. The abortions were performed up to the 26th week of pregnancy. These live births generated intense public outcry and were the subject of numerous media articles. Legislation to prohibit the performance of abortions at public hospitals passed in the Assembly but not in the Senate. Then Governor Lee Dreyfus ignored pleas by Wisconsin Right to Life to stop this horrendous practice.

For many years, Meriter Hospital housed an abortion clinic. When the abortionist, Dennis Christensen, was not allowed to renew his lease, a free-standing abortion clinic was built in the Madison area. Christensen is retiring and the new abortionist, Caryn Dutton, is said to be “uncomfortable” performing second-trimester abortions in the free-standing clinic. UW Hospitals and Clinics, Meriter Hospital and the UW Foundation have decided that the Madison Surgery Center, a joint venture of the three, will provide a full-service second-trimester abortion practice.

The Alliance Defense Fund has written to officials at these facilities to oppose this plan, citing potential legal problems and violation of the conscience rights of employees who do not want to be involved in abortions. Will UW medical students be expected to be trained to perform second-trimester abortions?

Wisconsin Right to Life will vigorously oppose this plan, working with individuals and organizations who have a similar interest. Stay tuned — this story will not go away. And, be sure to send your ideas and comments on life-taking rather than life-saving practices within the corridors of our “prestigious” medical facilities.

Barbara Lyons