March 13, 2008 ROCHESTER, NY - In the wake of Eliot Spitzer’s resignation, he leaves behind one of the most radical and dangerous bills ever to be introduced to the New York legislature. The Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act (RHAPP) was one of Spitzer’s key pieces of legislation that he promoted in the past several months. Even though Spitzer will no longer be in office, RHAPP resides in the Senate and if passed, will cause irreparable harm to women, young girls and the rights of parents throughout NY State.
Jessica Shanahan, president of New Yorkers for Parental Rights, released the following statement in regards to RHAPP:
“The demise of RHAPP needs to be the first order of business in the aftermath cleanup of the Spitzer administration. Spitzer’s abortion bill should never have been introduced into the New York State legislature; it is radical and dangerous to women and children.
“While people may be shocked and amazed about Eliot Spitzer’s actions and political downfall, what is most disturbing is that his RHAPP abortion bill allows girls as young as 12 to get an abortion at any point in their pregnancies without ever having to tell their parents and, according to his bill, the abortion does not have to be performed by a doctor. Any health practitioner, a dentist or a social worker, can perform the abortion. That is not safe and strips parents of the rights to protect their own children.
“We urge the New York legislators to vote no on RHAPP and stop Spitzer’s unfinished paybacks to the abortion industry who supported him 100% throughout his political career.
“Spitzer gives women a bad RHAPP. Our legislators should not allow Eliot Spitzer to impose his values on our families now."
New Yorkers for Parental Rights is a 501c4 organization of concerned parents organizing statewide to educate New York citizens and state legislators about the dangers to women and young girls presented in Governor Spitzer's Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act (RHPP)