July 2, 2007 Bill Poehler, 612.825.6831

Teen abortions jumped 16 percent last year;
reveals disturbing abortion industry trend
Planned Parenthood, Minn. Legislature reverse state’s life-affirming trend

ST. PAUL Teenagers are being targeted for abortions as never before by Minnesota’s abortion industry and Planned Parenthood appears to be leading the way. Abortion promoters and providers achieved an alarming
16 percent increase from 2005 to 2006 in abortions they performed on minors, according to the annual abortion report released today by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
It was the greatest increase since 1985 in abortions performed on minors, which had shown a general decline for 26 years. The spike occurred the same year Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota opened two suburban “express” mall stores targeting young women with scented oils, candles and referrals to its St. Paul abortion center.
“The huge jump in minor abortions is deeply disturbing to parents, families, and teenagers but it was a predictable result of Planned Parenthood’s increased promotion of abortion,” said Scott Fischbach, executive director of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL). “Planned Parenthood has learned how to take advantage of teenagers and young women by marketing its brand and building relationships to create future abortion customers.”
Planned Parenthood performed more abortions than ever last year, increasing its business by 21 percent in a single year, the greatest increase of any provider. For the third year in a row, Planned Parenthood aborted more unborn babies than any other provider. Abortions rose by 703 in Minnesota last year; Planned Parenthood increased its abortions by 648 for a total of 3,660, capturing nearly all of the increase.
“Planned Parenthood’s dedication to promoting abortion has reversed a life-affirming trend in Minnesota,” Fischbach said. “Planned Parenthood’s spokespersons say publicly that they want to decrease abortions, but when they sell 21 percent more abortions in a single year, no one can believe them anymore.”
A total of 14,065 abortions were reported in Minnesota in 2006, compared to 13,362 in 2005 an increase of more than five percent. It was a sharp reversal of four years of steady decline.
MCCL has urged the Minnesota Legislature to end taxpayer funding of abortions, which accounted for 28 percent of all state abortions last year. Instead, legislators have awarded additional millions of dollars in block grants each year to abortion-promoting organizations.
“Legislators must take responsibility for this tragic increase because they have refused to act to curb elective, unnecessary abortions,” Fischbach added. “This is a huge loss for Minnesotans. It is sad to know that many more women and teenagers are suffering, their lives and dignity cheapened by a predatory abortion industry.”
For more information about MCCL and abortion, visit http://www.mccl.org. To view the MDH abortion report, go to http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/chs/abrpt/abrpt.htm.

The following points are additional information concerning the “Induced Abortions in Minnesota, 2006, Report to the Legislature.”
Planned Parenthood performed an average of 10 abortions every day in 2006, for a total of 3,660. The provider increased its abortions by 21.5%
Planned Parenthood opened its new concept “express” clinic in Woodbury June 1, 2006; its abortions increased significantly for each month thereafter over 2005
Planned Parenthood was the fifth leading cause of death in Minnesota in 2005, performing 56 abortions each week. In 2006, Planned Parenthood performed 70 abortions each week
Planned Parenthood now performs 26% of abortions in Minnesota, its largest percentage since abortion reporting began in 1999. It has been the largest provider for three years 2004, 2005, 2006
Abortions performed on minors (under age 18 ) rose 16.3% from 2005. This is the largest single-year percentage increase since 1976 and the largest single-year raw number increase since 1985. With very few exceptions, abortions performed on minors have been declining steadily since 1987.
Minor abortions represented 5.6% of total abortions, up from 5.1% in 2005 and the highest (in quantity and percentage of total) since 2001
Non-surgical abortions (RU-486) accounted for 11.7% of the 2006 total, up 30% from 2005
Incomplete abortions are increasing: 21 in 1999, 53 in 2002, 70 in 2005, 87 in 2006
28.2% (3,969) of all abortions were taxpayer funded
89 physicians performed abortions in Minnesota in 2006; this number rose from 82 in 2004 and is the highest number since reporting began in 1998
The seven abortion clinics in the state performed 99% of all abortions
Reasons women gave for their abortions (more than one reason could be given):
• Less than 1% for rape, incest, “impairment of major bodily function”
• 68% “does not want child at this time”
• 35% economic reasons
The 2003 Woman’s Right to Know law requires that all women considering abortion be given information about abortion risks, complications and alternatives; the gestational age of their unborn child; fetal pain information and other materials. Last year, 652 women decided not to abort their babies after receiving this information
41% (5,841) of the women who received an abortion had at least one prior abortion. 139 women reported they had had 6 or more prior abortions
For more information about MCCL and abortion, visit http://www.mccl.org. To view the MDH abortion report, go to http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/chs/abrpt/abrpt.htm