Kansas AG Kline Releases New Ad Defending Pursuit Of Late-Term Abortion Records

Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline (R) -- who is running for re-election in November against Johnson County, Kan., District Attorney Paul Morrison (D) -- on Tuesday began running a new television advertisement defending his decision to seek the records of 90 women and girls who in 2003 underwent late-term abortions at two clinics, the AP/Hutchinson News reports (Hanna, AP/Hutchinson News, 11/2). Kline in 2004 subpoenaed the records of the women and girls who received late-term abortions at Comprehensive Health, which is operated by Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri in Overland Park, Kan., and Women's Health Care Services in Wichita, Kan., saying there is probable cause that each record contains evidence of a felony. The original subpoena asked that the records include each patient's name, medical history, birth control practices, psychological profile and sexual history and asked for the records of all women and girls who sought abortions at or after 22 weeks' gestation. Shawnee County, Kan., District Court Judge Richard Anderson turned over the records to Kline's office on Oct. 24 after removing information that would identify individuals, and Kline said they are being reviewed "by criminal investigators and criminal prosecutors" (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 11/2).

Reaction, Ad
"The women and children are not under investigation," Sherriene Jones, communications director for Kline, said, adding, "The child rapists, abortion doctors and confirming doctors are." Lee Thompson, attorney for Women's Health Care Services, said, "Our position, now and always has been, is there's nothing in those files that would justify or implicate criminal conduct by our clients" (Bauer, Kansas City Star, 11/2). According to Kline's ad, physician George Tiller, who owns Women's Health Care Services, and other people have tried to "buy the office of the attorney general." Mark Simpson, campaign manager for Morrison, said the ad is deceptive, adding, "As attorney general, Paul is going to follow the law, not twist it." Simpson would not say what Morrison would do with the records handed to the attorney general's office if elected but added, "He'll evaluate the situation" (AP/Hutchinson News, 11/2).

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