Planned Parenthood executives say it would be a public relations nightmare if the public finds out some of their clinics get money in exchange for fetuses in the latest video released Tuesday by The Center for Medical Progress.
“This could destroy your company and us, if we don’t time those conversations correctly,” a Planned Parenthood official tells undercover actors posing as potential buyers in the video.
“We’re trying to figure this out as an industry, about how we’re going to manage remuneration,” another official tells the fake buyers. “Because the headlines would be a disaster.” (RELATED: Key Takeaways From The First Nine Planned Parenthood Videos)
“Obviously we would have the potential for a huge PR issue by doing this,” says a third.
Planned Parenthood warns clinics considering harvesting fetuses in exchange for money to be careful and discreet, national director Deb Vanderhei tells the fake buyers.
“If they do it that’s fine,” she says. “We’re not going to say no. But we want them to think about really the ‘New York Times’ headline. How could this go bad? Is this really worth getting — I don’t even know what in general a specimen generally brings in.”
She’s told the fake company would offer $100 per specimen, and says she knows some independent abortion clinics “generate a fair amount of income” in the exchange.
Vanderhei says clinics are told it’s best not to accept money in the exchange: “If you do decide that you want to engage in remuneration … you really need to like think that through, and think ‘New York Times’ headline when you’re creating your policy.”
The New York Times has actually been very generous in its coverage of Planned Parenthood since news of Planned Parenthood’s compensation for aborted fetuses has gotten out. (RELATED: How The New York Times Is ‘Covering’ The Planned Parenthood Videos)
A compliance program administrator discusses PR logistics with Vanderhei, who warns her about the consequences if people “find out” about Planned Parenthood’s involvement in fetal harvesting.
“I feel like we can’t consent to be bullied by ridiculous laws and this media that doesn’t understand the big picture,” the administrator tells Vanderhei. “And I don’t really think that we should participate in that level of discussion.
She’s apparently frustrated at the thought that Vanderhei and other Planned Parenthood higher-ups want her to “curtail our business” in order to avoid a PR issue. (RELATED: Report Finds Planned Parenthood Failed To Report Rape In SEVEN States)
“Like let’s have a debate on the real issue and truths — that’s a discussion I would participate in,” she adds. “I don’t feel like we should participate in discussions based on crap. … I just feel like we shouldn’t participate in ridiculous social discussions. We should participate in valid ones.”
Vanderhei stresses that the idea of fetal harvesting and compensation is just fine, but says Planned Parenthood wants to avoid a congressional hearing or new laws.
“A congressional hearing … scared the bejeezus out of people 15 years ago,” she says, referring to scrapped accusations clinics were illegally changing their abortion procedures to harvest fetuses.
“It turned out that was false, but it sparked a congressional hearing and some federal legislation, which is where some of that came from,” Vanderhei says. “So we just want to not have to repeat that again.”
This is the tenth video released by The Center for Medical Progress regarding Planned Parenthood’s participation in fetal harvesting. Planned Parenthood denies all allegations of wrongdoing.
Congress is investigating whether Planned Parenthood violated the federal law that prohibits partial-birth abortions and the killing of infants born alive, as well as the history of enforcement of those laws and whether they are “sufficient.” (RELATED: Planned Parenthood Allegations Turn On Squishy McConnell-Backed Law)
The committee heading up the investigation has demanded a Department of Justice investigation, and has sent letters to 58 Planned Parenthood affiliates demanding details about abortion practices at their clinics.
WATCH:
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
