Carol Tobias, President of the National Right to Life, said that the abortion industry and its allies suppress informed consent, abortion pill reversal, and pregnancy care centers. She made this statement at the Save The Babies Rally on January 29.
"Even though women are supposed to have “choice,” they shouldn't be allowed to choose life," said Tobias. "Pregnancy centers, the loving arms of the pro-life movement, are under attack. We need to fight this destructive mentality, but we also need to pray."
According to Tobias, many states have enacted informed consent laws requiring women to receive full information about abortion procedures, risks, and alternatives. However, she said the abortion industry opposes these laws to prevent women from reconsidering. Tobias also highlighted that Abortion Pill Reversal (APR), which has reportedly saved over 7,000 babies, is dismissed as "junk science" despite using progesterone—a treatment commonly prescribed for threatened miscarriages. She added that pregnancy care centers offering free support to women face regulatory challenges, funding opposition, and online censorship aimed at limiting their reach.
The American Pregnancy Association reports that APR is most effective within 24 hours of taking mifepristone, with success rates of up to 62% in continuing pregnancies. Progesterone used in APR has been safely administered during pregnancy for over 50 years and is not associated with birth defects.
In 2023, an estimated 1,037,000 abortions occurred in the U.S., marking the highest number in over a decade and an 11% increase from 2020. States bordering those with abortion bans saw significant increases; New Mexico experienced a 256% rise in abortions since 2020. Expanded telehealth services, financial aid, and protective state policies contributed to increased abortion access in states without bans, according to Guttmacher Institute.
According to the National Right to Life's website, Tobias is a longtime leader within NRLC who played a key role in electing pro-life congressional majorities and led political action committee efforts for George W. Bush. A frequent media commentator, she also testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in 2014 against the Women’s Health Protection Act.
