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Texas Alliance for Life

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The Texas Alliance for Life is one of the largest[citation needed] Pro-Life lobbying organizations in the State of Texas.

Texas Alliance for Life is a nonprofit organization committed to "protecting the fundamental right to life of all innocent human beings". They oppose the advocacy and practice of abortion (except to preserve the mother's life), infanticide, euthanasia, and all forms of assisted suicide.

Leadership

Joe Pojman, Ph.D. founded the Texas Alliance for Life and has led the organization as the Executive Director for the past 14 years. He has lobbied legislators at the Texas House of Representatives since 1997.[1]

Brain Death Controversy

Joe Pojman argued for continuation of artificial life support for the body of Marlise Munoz.[2] She was 14 weeks pregnant when her husband found her unconscious in November, possibly from a blood clot and subsequently died from brain death.[3] Prior to her death she had indicated that she would not like to be kept artificially alive if brain dead.[4] The fetus had suffered from oxygen deprivation and was suspected to be non-viable. Fetus' lower extremities were deformed to the extent that the gender couldn't be determined. Fetus also had fluid building up inside the skull (Hydrocephalus) and possibly had a heart problem.[5][6][7] A 2002 study estimated the cost for an ICU bed in an average U.S. hospital is $2,000 to $3,000 per day.[8] An attorney who had helped rewrite the Texas state law being used to keep her body on life support at John Peter Smith Hospital said that there was a problem with the application of the law to a patient that was no longer alive.[9] Her husband Eric, with the support of her family, successfully sued the hospital for withdrawing treatment.[10] This case sets a very strong legal precedent that Texas law (http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/txstatutes/HS/2/H/166/B/166.049) addressing life support for pregnant women is not applicable in cases of brain death. Numerous states have adopted laws restricting the ability of doctors to end artificial life support for terminally ill pregnant patients with 12 of those states (including Texas) with the most restrictive such laws, which automatically invalidate a woman’s advance directive if she is pregnant stating that, regardless of the progression of the pregnancy, a woman must remain on life sustaining treatment until she gives birth with no exception for patients who will be in prolonged severe pain or who will be physically harmed by continuing life sustaining treatment.[11] Joe Pojman, who was also involved in the drafting of the law, said the hospital is correctly abiding by the law's goal of protecting the rights of an unborn child.[12]

Political Agenda

Defunding Planned Parenthood[13]

Choose Life License Plate

Parental Notification

Parental Consent

References

  1. ^ "Lobbyists Directory: Joe Pojman". The Texas Tribune.
  2. ^ Kennedy, Bud (10 January 2014). "Marlise Muñoz and the politics of life and death in Tarrant County, Texas". Star Telegram. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  3. ^ Dart, Tom (24 January 2014). "Texas hospital acknowledges brain-dead status of pregnant woman". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  4. ^ Luscombe, Belinda. "Why the Dad Has No Say in Tragic Texas Brain Death Case". Time. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  5. ^ Denson, Ryan. "'Pro-Life' Conservatives Using Government to Force Brain-Dead Woman's Pregnancy". occupydemocrats.com. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  6. ^ Bazelon, Emily. "Brain-Dead Marlise Munoz's Fetus Is "Distinctly Abnormal." Please, Texas, Let This Nightmare End". Slate.com. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  7. ^ "Brain-dead Tarrant woman's fetus is 'distinctly abnormal,' attorneys say". The Associated Press/ The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  8. ^ JOHN M. LUCE, GORDON D. RUBENFELD (2002). "Can Health Care Costs Be Reduced by Limiting Intensive Care at the End of Life?". American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 165 (6): 750–754. doi:10.1164/ajrccm.165.6.2109045. PMID 11897638. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  9. ^ Max B. Baker and Elizabeth Campbell. "Texas law didn't anticipate Muñoz case, drafters say". star telegram. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  10. ^ "Family cries as judge rules Munoz off life support". USA Today. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  11. ^ Megan Greene and Leslie R. Wolfe. "REPRODUCTIVE LAWS FOR THE 21 ST CENTURY PAPERS CENTER FOR WOMEN POLICY STUDIES:Pregnancy Exclusions in State Living Will and Medical Proxy Statutes" (PDF). Center for Women Policy Studies in Washington. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  12. ^ Koppel, Nathan. "Texas Judge Orders Pregnant Woman Removed From Life Support Family Said Hospital Kept Her Alive Against Her Wishes". WSJ. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  13. ^ Texas senators' addition of family planning money sets up likely battle with House Austin American Statesman, Retrieved 21 May 2012.
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