To the editor:

With all of the media attention on the Texas’ Heartbeat Bill, it’s a good idea to check where Pennsylvania stands on this critical, life-and-death, life-altering issue.

The Texas Heartbeat Bill, along with laws in eight other states, prohibits abortions once the unborn baby’s heartbeat can be detected (generally at six weeks with current technology). This law follows the science that nearly all grade-schoolers recognize: If their is a heartbeat, there is life. If there isn’t a heartbeat, there isn’t life (i.e., you are dead).

This is an easily understood and measured scientific principle. It is also universally recognized as determining the presence, or absence, of life (i.e., one of the first things that is checked in a doctor’s office visit). To ignore or marginalize this principle leads to the de-humanization of the individual and down the slippery slope followed by many totalitarian societies throughout history.

Current Pennsylvania law allows abortions up to 24 weeks (six months) of pregnancy for any reason, except gender selection. Governor Tom Wolf stated that he would veto a similar heartbeat bill that was passed by the Republican-controlled state House in May of this year.

Mr. Wolf referred to the bill as “appalling” and “a waste of time.” He further stated that he would fight against “right-wing attempts to limit an individual’s right to make their own health care choices.” Hmm … I wonder if this same line of logic would apply to a vaccine mandate?

Given the swift attack of a law recognizing the presence of life by one’s heartbeat by politicians such as President Joe Biden, the U.S. Attorney General, and our governor (to name but a few), one is left to wonder: What is really at stake here?

Is it corporate (i.e., Planned Parenthood Inc.) and government profit, or women’s health? To answer this question, it is insightful to follow the money.

Planned Parenthood Inc. has a combined annual revenue of $1.3 billion, including approximately $530 million in government, taxpayer funding such as Medicaid reimbursements. This corporation performed 332,757 abortions during last year alone, but, in contrast, non-abortion services have declined significantly.

Another stark contrast is the “funding” of the estimated 2,500 to 4,000 crisis pregnancy care centers operating throughout the United States that provide compassionate, loving and life-affirming alternatives to women who face a crisis pregnancy. These centers are largely staffed by volunteers and operate strictly on donations.

With the development of 3D ultrasound technology, there can be little doubt regarding the humanity of the unborn. Every detail of these individuals can be clearly seen in these astounding images. As a result, recent polling data indicates that a majority of adults approve the passage of heartbeat legislation. My prayer is that the hearts of our public officials would be softened and that they would make sound scientific and God-honoring decisions to protect the lives of our most vulnerable citizens.

Jay M. Galbraith

McClure