Things are heating up in Kansas as citizens and legislators battle over whether or not to value preborn Kansans as people. Last year, a Kansas Supreme Court made the egregious ruling that abortion was a “constitutional right” in the state. Since then, pro-life advocates have fired back with the proposal of a “Value Them Both” amendment – a plea to recognize the humanity of babies in the womb.

Students for Life lobbied legislators and mobilized 300+ calls and emails from students to the Kansas State legislature to voice our support for the amendment. Among the young people aiding the effort was University of Kansas School of Medicine student Nate Clennan.

Nate, despite pressure from his campus (including professors and other faculty determined to convince med students that aborting children is actual healthcare) and an understandably demanding school schedule, made time to testify in favor of this important amendment.

Nate’s Testimony

Dear Chairman Barker, Chairman Wilborn and Members of the Joint Committee,

Unlimited abortion hurts women and children. It is not a Kansas Value. I urge you to support the Value Them Both Amendment to the Kansas Constitution. Kansas deserves a right to vote on this issue.

This ruling puts in danger some of the most fundamental parts of medicine that are first taught in medical school.  I am only halfway through my first year at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, but the first two things we were taught in our clinical simulation activities were to 1) always wash your hands first before interacting with or touching the patient, and 2) always ask permission from the patient before performing an exam of any kind and explain to them exactly what it is you are going to do.

It has been drilled into our heads that the patient always comes first in every decision we make as clinicians and every action we take.  It is hard for me to believe that these two most fundamental aspects of medical practice may be at danger now in an industry that has never seemed to care about the well-being of the women they provide their services for.  I truly hope that the members of the Joint Committee will consider approving this amendment and protecting the practices which have become basic standards of care in the world of medicine, thus protecting the citizens of Kansas at large.

Please approve the Value Them Both Constitutional Amendment.  Give us and others in Kansas the right to make decisions on this contentious issue.

Thank you for this opportunity and for all your work for the people of Kansas.

Respectfully,

Nate Clennan
University of Kansas School of Medicine
M.D. Candidate, Class of 2023

How’d It Go?

The “Value Them Both” amendment to the Kansas State Constitution passed in the State Senate by a vote of 28-12. The next step for the legislation is the Kansas House of Representatives. Stay tuned for more updates.