The Associated Press reports that the family of Dr. George Tiller, the Wichita physician murdered by an anti-abortion extremist, has decided that the healthcare clinic where he worked will be permanently closed. "We are proud of the service and courage shown by our husband and
father and know that women's health care needs have been met because of
his dedication and service," the family said in a statement released by Tiller's attorneys.
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It just saddens me to no end that this is what its come to. Women from all over the country went to this clinic to receive quality healthcare. Instead of stopping the war on choice, I wish they'd stop the war on women. Period.
p.s. I read your posts everyday and love them!
This is horrible news. I was bracing for it, but hoped it wouldn't happen. I also worry that other clinics will close as a result of this murder. When it comes to women's rights, some days it seems we live in a third-world country.
BTW, this post has brought out all the pro-life google ads on your site. At some point, the smart folk at google will need to factor for irony.
Even though I disagree with the clinic's purpose, this is still unfortunate and disappointing to say the least.
I hate to say it, but legal issues may have factored into their decision. If they had sold the practice to another doctor, they would have been selling a business that had been targeted repeatedly for violence. In addition to the ethical reasons why a family might not want to invite another doctor to assume that level of danger, there may have been legal liability associated with the sale of the practice given that the family knew the risks any doctor who bought the practice would almost certainly face. They could have tried ot take care of that with pre-sale disclosures, but it also would likely have been nearly impossible to find anyone willing to take on that risk. If someone did buy the practice knowing all of that, they probably would have had a hard time getting insurance for the practice or for themselves.
It's sort of the same problem faced by the owner of the WTC, who wants to rebuild on the site but likely would be building a structure that would be nearly impossible to insure because it was twice targeted for destruction by terrorists, and very well could be again.
But it is very sad that women who face those sorts of extreme and desperate choices now have one fewer place that they can turn to for crucial medical care. I wish a doctor in another city or state would consider offering these services to fill the void left by Tiller. There are very few of them nationwide.
Speaking of right wing terrorists
http://ugaliberal.blogspot.com/2009/06/another-right-wing-terrorist-attack.html