Thread by @RachelMGibsonNE

It's official: LB574 (anti-gender affirming care) and LB626 (abortion ban) have been placed on General File #NELeg

Looks like the committee statement for LB626 is now available. Here is the link and I'll post screenshots of the proponents and oppoennts nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/…

Let's dig in. First, let's look at the orgs in support of the bill:

Two from the Charlotte Lozier Institute which is a 501(C)(3) research arm of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. lozierinstitute.org/about/

The next person is identified as an OBGYN. Curiously, that is the only person who is identified by their profession, include the 20+ opponents who identified themselves as OBGYNs right at the top but are listed as "self."

Interesting.

(Disclaimer - I'm sharing this info to provide context. Many of these are private citizens, Nebraskans, who had the courage to speak publicly on an issue that is important to them. I will not be focusing on them by name, simply to give context. Formal orgs? All the info).

Next proponent org: Nebraska Catholic Conference necatholic.org/about-us/

Nebraska Family Alliance nebraskafamilyalliance.org/about/

Essential Pregnancy Services which I'm having a hard time finding details of "About Us" (what I'm screen shot ing for everyone). This is by design as it's a "care center" that exists solely to deter women from seeking abortions & sells itself as "pro-woman"essentialps.org

Nebraska Right to Life nebraskarighttolife.org/about-us/

Democrats for Life of America democratsforlife.org/index.php/abou…

Thomas More Society. Interesting summary from Wikipedia: "TMS is a conservative Roman Catholic public-interest law firm...engaged in many "cultlure war" issues, promoting its anti-abortion and anti-same-sex marriage beliefs thru litigation"

thomasmoresociety.org/about/

SperaVita Institute very similar to the Essential Pregnancy org. Super vague. Even some digging on Google cam up with very little.

Intersting.

speravita.com/who-we-are/

American Academy of Medical Ethics. This one needs some clarity because it sounds like something it isn't (seeing a trend?). I have spent quite some time trying to find who is behind this and where there money comes from. I can't. Any who can, please cite. ethicalhealthcare.org

Americans United for Life. aul.org. Again, hard to find info. From Wikipedia: "anti-abortion law firm & advocacy grp based in DC...influential in the spread of 'Heartbeat' legislation across US"

Hey! That's what NE's bill is called! Odd.

ethicalhealthcare.org/stateadvocacy/

Immaculate Heart of Mary Counseling Center. To their credit, they are very open about what their goal is which is to integrate Catholic faith into their practice immaculateheartcounseling.org/our-history

Sidewalk Advocates for Life. Based in Texas. sidewalkadvocates.org/about/vision-m…

Nebraskans Embracing Life. This one seems pretty home grown. Check out their Newsletter. nebraskansembracinglife.org

If you know anything about #NELeg, you know this next one! Nebraskans for Founders Values (of Hitler quote on org banner fame). nffv.org

The there is another person from Nebraska Right to Life (is that ok to do? if there were people waiting, why was NRL speaking twice?)

The last two organizations listed were UNL Students for Life and Students for Life Action

(Ok, I have to take a break because, you know, life. But I'll be back this afternoon to cover the groups behind the opponents)

I'm back with the Opponent details. Staring off is Planned Parenthood. I would be surprised if you don't know who they are/what they do, but for the sake of being fair, here is their info. They are also a national 501(C)(3)plannedparenthood.org/health-center/…

Next: Three people listed as "self" but are, in fact, OBGYNs who are currently practicing here in Nebraska.

Following the 3 MDs is Coalition to End Sexual & Domestic Violence. A collection of NE organizations and programs that work to enhance safety and justice. Check out their brochure here, especially the programs list in the middle: nebraskacoalition.org

Two more Nebraska MDs, one family med, one psychiatry (listed as "self")

Nebraska Medical Association. They had to have their arm twisted on this one a bit BUT because it is made up of physicians practicing in Nebraska and they can vote to take a stance, they did. nebmed.org

Nebraska Medicine. Assuming you are familiar, but if you are not, it is one of the largest health care organizations in the state with 2 hospitals, 39 clinics, and ~8,000 employees. nebraskamed.com/?kxconfid=twrf…

(more later!)