Health clinics performing abortions?

Authorities are now keeping a tight watch on clinics suspected of offering abortion after the recent surprise inspection conducted by public health officials.

Sources said the discovery of various medical devices which were being used illegally bolstered suspicions that many women are seeking abortion in some of these health clinics.

Five health clinics were raided by a combined team from the Departments of Public Safety and Public Health and the Attorney General’s Office early this month in efforts to enforce P.L 11-40, or the Pure Food, Drug and Cosmetic Device Act of 1998.

Some of these clinics were found to have been dispensing controlled substances and possessing medical devices illegally.

However, authorities said they can only arrest the owners of these establishments if they are operating without a medical license, sanitary health permit or selling controlled substances illegally.

“Technically, they cannot arrest anyone who operates an abortion clinic because there is no local statutory law that penalizes the practice of abortion here,” a public health official said. The CNMI Constitution, however, prohibits the practice of abortion in the Northern Marianas.

One Chinese individual who was suspected of performing an unlicensed medical procedure has been arrested but later on released pending the filing of appropriate charges.

His acupuncture clinic was closed down for operating without a sanitary health permit and medical license.

A move to revive a bill on abortion in the House of Representatives has drawn condemnation from the Catholic Church and thrown the government into a dilemma after a 1995 legal opinion states that any woman may legally obtain abortion in the Northern Marianas resurfaced.

The lone government-owned hospital on the island admits carrying out abortion only to save the life of the mother. At the same time, the Commonwealth Health Center’s attention was called by federal authorities since it is obligated under the Medicaid Program to provide for those abortions specifically covered by the Hyde Amendment.

Based on the Hyde Amendment, the cost of abortions can be reimbursed under federal funds only on certain circumstances — to save the life of the mother or that pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest.

“Because the CNMI has chosen to participate in the Medicaid Program, it is mandated to provide funding to abortions specified in the Hyde Amendment. The CNMI has made its choice, and must thereby comply with the federal directives,” according to the legal opinion.