Family of Slain Abortion Provider Dr. George Tiller Announces Permanent Closure of Wichita Clinic

The family of murdered abortion provider Dr. George Tiller announced Tuesday that his Kansas clinic will be permanently closed, eliminating one of the few medical practices in the country that performed later-term abortions.
In a statement, Dr. Tiller’s family said: “We are proud of the service and courage shown by our husband and father and know that women’s health care needs have been met because of his dedication and service. That is a legacy that will never die. The family will honor Dr. Tiller’s memory through private charitable activities.”

Dr. Tiller was murdered ten days ago during Sunday services at his Wichita church. He was 67 years old. More than one thousand people gathered in Wichita for his funeral this past Saturday.

The man charged with killing Dr. Tiller, Scott Roeder, told CNN that the closure of Dr. Tiller’s clinic represents a “victory for the unborn” and means “no more needles going into babies’ hearts.” Roeder has been charged with first-degree murder. He has also warned that more violent acts are planned against abortion providers around the country. In a phone interview from jail, Roeder told the Associated Press, “I know there are many other similar events planned around the country as long as abortion remains legal.” On Friday, the Justice Department announced it had launched a federal investigation into Dr. Tiller’s death.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Marshals Service announced last week that it is increasing protection for abortion providers across the country. Among those has had US marshals assigned to protect him is Dr. Warren Hern, one of the few remaining doctors in the country who performs later-term abortions. This week he has begun to see some of Dr. Tiller’s patients at his clinic in Boulder, Colorado. Dr. Hern joins us now on the telephone from Boulder. He was a close friend Dr. Tiller’s.

We are also joined on the telephone by a genetic counselor. For the past three years, she has been a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors and she is speaking out today because the NSGC has not put out a public statement condemning Dr. Tiller’s murder. She wishes to remain anonymous. We called the National Society of Genetic Counselors to inquire about a public statement and to invite them on the program but they did not respond.

Dr. Warren Hern, director of the Boulder Abortion Clinic and a close friend of Dr. Tiller’s.

Anonymous, member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. She has worked as a genetic counselor for the past three years.

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