For Immediate Release: March 27, 2007

Williamson Says OSMA Wrong to Oppose Pro-Life Measure

State Sen. James A. Williamson, R-Tulsa, said the Oklahoma State Medical Association (OSMA) is wrong to oppose SB 714 and HB 1317, Williamson’s bills that would prohibit state funds and facilities from being used to perform abortions.

Tuesday, OSMA issued a letter from Dr. Jack Beller, Chair of OSMA’s Council on State Legislation, encouraging legislators to oppose the measures.

“It is unfathomable that an organization of physicians who have taken an oath to ‘do no harm’ would oppose legislation intended to prohibit the use of taxpayer money to terminate the lives of the unborn,” said Williamson. “I doubt that rank-and-file medical doctors will support this outrageous action by their OSMA leadership.”

Williamson said the organization likely wilted under pressure from doctors at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma, a state facility that has been performing abortions.

“OSMA’s stated justification for opposing this legislation is that it prevents patients from receiving medical care and impedes physicians’ ability to practice medicine. But the truth is this bill does not prohibit physicians from performing abortions, nor does it prohibit women from receiving abortions – so long as state funds and facilities are not used. This bill gets state government out of the abortion business,” Williamson said.

For more information contact:
Senator Williamson's Office: (405) 521-5624