HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – The Pennsylvania Family Institute said over 70 buses were scheduled to bring pro-life advocates from across the state to the State Capitol on Monday. 5,000 to 7,000 were expected to participate in the 6th annual Pennsylvania March for Life.<\/p>\n
Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum headlined the rally. Doctors, mothers, faith leaders, and pregnancy resource centers advocated against abortion. Posters with pro-life messages were carried by marchers as they made their lap around the State Capitol Complex Monday afternoon.<\/p>\n
“It’s the same message every year, which is life is precious, that every human life deserves protection, has dignity because of who they are, because we are human beings,” said PA Family Institute President Michael Geer. “That includes the unborn. That includes the elderly.”<\/p>\n
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This year’s PA March For Life comes on the same day as the deadline for public comment to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.<\/p>\n
“This year in particular, our call to action is focused on the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s 500-page regulations,” said PA Family Institute Police Analyst Alexis Sneller. “We’re asking that people make their voices heard on that because it’s vital that women and their babies get the best prenatal care possible.”<\/p>\n
The Pennsylvania Dept. of Health released a statement that can be read below.<\/p>\n
“Any\u00a0misconstruing\u00a0of these proposed changes designed to scare Pennsylvanians is inaccurate and disingenuous.<\/p>\n
To be clear, Governor Josh Shapiro did not personally propose these updated regulations.<\/p>\n
Several years ago, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) transparently began the process to update a 25-year-old regulation that needs to be modernized to better support evolving public health needs and manage dangerous diseases; for example, allowing information to be submitted online, removing duplicative reporting requirements for certain professions, and making simple formatting changes to improve readability and reduce confusion about reportable diseases, infections, and conditions.<\/p>\n
Like most regulations in Pennsylvania, the Department’s proposed changes to Chapter 27 are undergoing a comprehensive review process as required by law prior to going into effect \u2014 and DOH communicated with the Legislature on these proposed changes prior to posting for public comment.<\/p>\n
We encourage Pennsylvanians to review the proposed regulations for themselves and participate in the regulatory process by providing feedback during the extended public comment period. The public comment period for the proposed regulations runs through September 21, 2026. DOH values and recognizes the importance of feedback from the public and welcomes comments from the public during this time. The Department will review and respond to all submitted comments. Pennsylvanians can submit comments on the proposed regulations via e-mail to the Pennsylvania Department of Health at RA-DHCHAPTR27PROPREG@pa.gov<\/a>.”<\/p>\n The Governor’s Office also released a statement.<\/p>\n “Regulatory review is an extensive process and nearly 200 regulatory packages across state agencies are currently undergoing updates. These draft Department of Health regulations are currently in the public feedback stage of that process, which includes input from stakeholders, independent regulatory review, and the Legislature. Once public comment concludes later this month, the Governor will weigh in, and the regulations will be revised accordingly.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Governor’s philosophy, which will guide the final regulations, is that public health depends on trust, and building that trust means respecting individual rights, involving parents in decisions that affect their children, and ensuring government works closely with the people it serves.”<\/p>\n In response to the march, Planned Parenthood’s Pennsylvania Executive Director, Signe Espinoza, says, “Abortion is health care, a right affirmed\u00a0by the highest courts of this state and supported by 9 out of 10 Pennsylvanians. Planned Parenthood will fight for accessible abortion and the full spectrum of sexual & reproductive care, every day of the year. “<\/p>\n