To: Dr. Ann Kristin Neuhaus
Thank you, Dr. Neuhaus
We want to thank you for your integrity, compassion, and courage for providing Kansas’ required second opinion to allow late abortions in Dr. George Tiller’s practice.
We know that the stories of many of the women you interviewed were heartbreaking and compelling and that you stood for them and for their physical and emotional health. We also know that you and your family have paid a terrible economic and emotional price for your sacrifice.
On behalf of the women you helped and of millions of women you will never know, we thank you from the bottoms of our hearts. We will work for a day when those who stand for women are celebrated.
Why is this important?
After Dr. George Tiller was gunned down in his church by an anti-choice terrorist, Operation Rescue turned to harassing his colleague, Dr. Ann Kristin Neuhaus. Dr. Neuhaus provided the second opinion required by Kansas law to verify medical need for third-trimester abortions, for patients that included a 10 year old girl raped by her uncle.
Knowing that her records might be made public in Kansas' hostile regulatory environment, Dr. Neuhaus left many identifying details out of her patients' documents. Her concern was well-founded. Details from patient records shared with the office of Kansas District Attorney Phil Kline were later broadcast to a national audience by conservative TV host Bill O'Reilly.
It got worse. A convicted terrorist working for Operation Rescue sued to have Dr. Neuhaus' medical license revoked based on the sparsity of her wrongly released records, and a Kansas medical board that included a former Operation Rescue attorney [1] agreed that Dr. Neuhaus should no longer be allowed to practice medicine. The state fined Dr. Neuhaus $93,000 to cover the costs of her persecution.
The Neuhaus family is on the verge of bankruptcy now, struggling to provide medical coverage for their diabetic son. Dr. Neuhaus, we haven't forgotten you, or your many years of service to your patients.
[1] - "Kansas Board of Health Revokes License Of Doctor For Not Forcing 10 Year Olds To Give Birth" by Robin Marty, RH Reality Check, June 25, 2012.