For Immediate Release
Thursday, Jan. 7, 2015
Contact: Benjamin Clapper

504.228.4273
bclapper@prolifelouisiana.org

Edwards Names DHH Secretary with Pro-Abortion Connections

Louisiana Right to Life Releases Factsheet and Expresses Concerns

BATON ROUGE, La. - On Tuesday afternoon, Governor-elect John Bel Edwards named Dr. Rebekah Gee as the Secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH). The role of DHH secretary is essential to the pro-life cause due to its responsibilities to enforce Louisiana's life-affirming legislation and policies and to regulate outpatient abortion facilities.

Following the announcement, Louisiana Right to Life performed cursory research on Dr. Gee and her involvement on life-oriented issues. Louisiana Right to Life has released a factsheet providing a summary of a number of items from Dr. Gee's past in relation to the mission of Louisiana Right to Life.

The following are excerpts from the factsheet:

In 2003, Dr. Gee was the the keynote speaker at the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) Pro-Choice Massachusetts Annual Meeting titled "30 years after Roe v. Wade." This information was on Gee's 2007 curriculum vitae when teaching at a Pennsylvania university, but was deleted from her current LSU curriculum vitae.

In 2006, Dr. Gee was awarded the Courting Justice Award by Choice USA.
In 2005 and 2006, Dr. Gee was "part of a planned action coordinated with the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts and other abortion-rights advocacy groups" forcing Wal-Mart to stock Plan B, one of the drugs objected to by Hobby Lobby and the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Benjamin Clapper, Executive Director of Louisiana Right to Life, released the following statement:

"Our research reveals that the newly named Secretary for DHH, Dr. Rebekah Gee, has a long history of troubling connections with organizations that advocate for abortion-on-demand. Moreover, it appears that certain items included on Dr. Gee's 2007 resume were not included on her resume available on LSU's website.

"Louisiana Right to Life is very concerned that Governor-elect Edwards may not have had full information and named a health secretary for Louisiana incompatible with his own pro-life values and those of our Legislature and our citizens.

"The DHH Secretary has broad authority when it comes to the issue of abortion in Louisiana. From enforcing common ground pro-life legislation, regulating abortion facilities, managing Medicaid funds, and more, the DHH Secretary plays a pivotal role in protecting Louisiana's pro-life convictions. Our research raises concerns that pro-life protections could be in jeopardy under Dr. Gee's supervision.

"Given that Governor-elect Edwards expressed his pro-life values throughout his campaign, Louisiana Right to Life has sent this information to the Governor-elect to determine if he was unaware of these troubling connections."

Visit the Online Factsheet at www.ProLifeLouisiana.org/Gee

Download the Louisiana Right to Life Fact Sheet About Dr. Rebekah Gee

###

Louisiana Right to Life | Lighting the Way to a Pro-Life Louisiana Since 1970
www.ProLifeLouisiana.org | 1.866.463.5433 | info@prolifelouisiana.org