Karma? ‘Pro-life’ activists who blocked women from receiving care, say the government denied them ‘medically necessary’ healthcare

Finding out, the hard way

Two “pro-life” activists, recently convicted for their participation in a violent invasion and blockade of a D.C. reproductive health clinic, have reportedly been denied “medically necessary health care services” while in the custody of the U.S. Marshall Service, according to a letter (below) written by the House Republican “Pro-life” Caucus and sent to the U.S. Marshall Service.

Jean Marshall (74, of Massachusetts) and Heather Idoni (59, of Michigan), along with multiple other “pro-life” activists, forced their way into the Washington Surgi-Clinic in D.C., injuring a nurse, and proceeded to use chains and furniture to prevent people from entering or leaving the healthcare clinic. 

One patient was forced to climb through a window to evade the blockade. 

Another patient, who was in labor, collapsed on the ground in pain while her husband begged the “pro-life” activists to let her inside to receive care.

In the letter (below), the House Republican “Pro-life” Caucus members reminded the U.S. Marshall Service that it “is required to provide appropriate medical care for all prisoners. U.S. Marshals Service Policy Directive - Prisoner Health Care Management states that ‘All prisoners will receive medically necessary health care services.’ This is defined as ‘[n]ecessary to diagnose or treat a medical condition, which, if left untreated, would likely lead to a significant loss of function, deterioration of health, uncontrolled suffering, or death.’”

The letter also details the ailments and alleged lack of treatment of both Marshall and Idoni.

Every single Caucus member who signed the letter, with the one exception of Claudia Tenney, submitted a joint Brief of Amici to the U.S. Supreme Court urging the Court to permit the State of Idaho to deny medically necessary abortion healthcare to pregnant patients experiencing catastrophic, emergency pregnancy complications. Over 80 “pro-life” groups also submitted briefs urging the Supreme Court to side with Idaho and against pregnant patients in need of medically necessary healthcare. 

Republicans and “pro-life” groups have steadfastly refused to take responsibility for the harms their policies have caused pregnant people across the country since the right to make their own decisions about their bodies and their health was taken away from women by the “pro-life” Republican Supreme Court. 

So, could it be Karma? Comeuppance? Whatever you call this ironic turn of events, the two “pro-life” activists may be learning the hard way that the government should never deny anyone healthcare, whether they be convicted criminals or they be pregnant.