Tennessee Right to Life Applauds Ruling Upholding State Law Prohibiting Doctor-Prescribed Suicide NASHVILLE, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 - The state's oldest and largest pro-life organization is praising the ruling by Davidson County Chancellor Carol McCoy which upholds Tennessee's state law prohibiting the practice of doctor-prescribed suicide.  "Chancellor McCoy is to be commended for refusing to enjoin laws duly enacted by the people and their elected officials and for recognizing that such statutes do not violate the Tennessee Constitution," said Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life.    "Terminally ill persons deserve full care and pain relief, not a prescription for an early death,"  said Harris.  "Tennessee's law strikes a careful and compassionate balance in ensuring that basic safeguards for human life are in place and honored."    Tennessee Right to Life assisted in filing a friend-of-the-court brief highlighting the state's legitimate interest in protecting human life, guarding from an expansion of suicide and upholding the integrity of the medical profession.  The case is John Jay Hooker v Herbert Slatery.

Planned Parenthood's Cavalier Attitude Toward Unborn Children on Full Display WASHINGTON – On August 19 The Center for Medical Progress (CMP) released another video in a series exposing the baby body part harvesting and trafficking conducted by affiliates of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the nation's largest abortion provider. This is the seventh such video released by CMP uncovering the gruesome nature of Planned Parenthood's huge abortion business. "These videos again show horrific scenes in which Planned Parenthood executives cavalierly discuss the harvesting and pricing of baby parts" said Carol Tobias, National Right to Life president. "Planned Parenthood now commands more than one-third of the total abortion 'market,' and we fully support investigations into many aspects of this grisly business. Planned Parenthood equals abortion." Continue reading

Tennessee Right to Life PAC Endorses Jason Zachary for State House 14 Focused leadership on adoption, pro-life policies will be priority NASHVILLE, JULY 30, 2015:  The state's oldest and largest pro-life organization has announced its official endorsement of Jason Zachary for the special election in the 14th district state House seat.  "With the election of Mr. Zachary, voters in this district have an opportunity to send another committed pro-life voice to the Tennessee state House," said Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life.  "Jason has demonstrated an understanding of pro-life goals and a desire to work with Tennessee Right to Life toward achieving them." Continue reading

NASHVILLE, JULY 1, 2015 - Tennessee Right to Life issued the following statement in response to Judge Kevin Sharp's refusal to dismiss the lawsuit against the state regarding the outcome of Amendment 1:"Tennessee's voters have spoken, the Legislature has spoken and Tennessee Right to Life continues to be confident that, in the end, common sense policies protecting abortion-vulnerable women, girls and unborn children will be enforced in our state." # # # #

Right to Life Responds to Pro-Abortion Lawsuit NASHVILLE, JUNE 25, 2015:  Media outlets reported late Thursday that abortion facility owner-operators have filed suit against Tennessee laws requiring facility inspection, hospital admitting privileges for abortion providers and informed consent provisions for women and girls considering abortion.  The complaint was filed in federal court by operators of Choices abortion facility in Memphis and owners of unlicensed abortion centers in Bristol and Nashville.  New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights is representing the abortion facilities and Tennessee's Attorney General will defend the constitutionality of the protective laws. Continue reading

Proposed bill would radically change protections and safeguards for end of life care. NASHVILLE, JUNE 9, 2015 - At today's meeting of the state Senate Health Committee, Tennessee Right to Life joined other advocacy groups to oppose a bill seeking to legalize physician-assisted suicide in Tennessee.  The committee met in a special study session to hear testimony regarding the proposed legislation.In its mission statement, the state's oldest and largest pro-life organization seeks to ensure legal and social protections for Tennessee's most vulnerable citizens, including the unborn, disabled, sick and elderly.  However, Senate Bill 1362 by Sen. Reginald Tate (D-Memphis) and House Bill 1040 by Rep. Craig Fitzhugh (D-Ripley) would radically change Tennessee's policies and protections for end-of-life care.  Continue reading

Governor Haslam Signs Into Law Provisions Requiring Informed Consent, 48-Hour Waiting Period Nashville, May 18, 2015--- Responding to Monday's signing by Governor Bill Haslam of legislation requiring informed consent and waiting period provisions, the state's oldest and largest pro-life organization expressed appreciation to the state's voters and elected officials. "Women and girls considering abortion in our state deserve relevant details and adequate time to make fully-informed decisions about the fate of their unborn child," said Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life. "We are grateful to the voters who approved Amendment 1 and to the public officials who have fulfilled their commitment to restore common-sense protections for women, girls and unborn children in our state."  Continue reading

Bill Requiring Inspection of Abortion Facilities Signed Into Law Nashville, May 08, 2015--- "Tennessee Right to Life is grateful to our public officials for fulfilling their commitment to the people of Tennessee and restoring these common sense protections to protect the health and safety of women and girls," stated Brian Harris.  The bill came largely in response to voter passage of Amendment 1 last November which allows the people and elected officials more leeway in the regulation of abortion facilities in Tennessee. Continue reading

Davidson County Sophmore Wins Pro-Life Speech Contest Robertson County Teen will represent Tennessee at National Contest "A true feminist would help a pregnant woman in need rather than sending her to the abortion clinic. A true feminist would acknowledge the sanctity of life and do everything in her power to protect it," stated Cameron Sheppard during the recent Tennessee Right to Life Pro-Life Oratory Contest for High School Students. Continue reading

Tennessee Right to Life Applauds Passage of Abortion Limits: "Safeguards for Women and Girls Empower to Make Fully-Informed Decisions" Nashville, April 21, 2015---The state's oldest and largest pro-life organization applauded Tuesday's strong votes in support of informed consent, a 48 hour waiting for women and girls considering abortion, and a requirement that abortion facilities be inspected and licensed by the Tennessee Department of Health.  The bills were approved by super-majorities in both the state House and state Senate and will soon be headed to Governor Haslam for his signature.  As drafted, the statutes will go into effect on July 1, 2015. "Tennessee Right to Life thanks the people of Tennessee who supported Amendment 1 and the many legislative sponsors and supporters of these bills to protect the health and safety of women and girls," said Brian Harris, the organization's president.  "Children will now be given a better chance at life because their mothers and families had the extra time and opportunity to make fully informed decisions." Continue reading