---
title: "Pro-life coalition letter to Secretary Azar: pro-life concerns during the coronavirus crisis"
description: "Coalition letter from Susan B. Anthony List, March 24, 2020, to HHS Secretary Alex Azar. Composite 2/12 — incrementalist by implication. “urge public officials to use their broad emergency authority to safeguard against the extreme abortion agenda”"
type: "letter"
letter_id: "PL-2020-003"
date: "2020-03-24"
letter_type: "Coalition letter"
lead_org: "Susan B. Anthony List"
recipient: "HHS Secretary Alex Azar"
topic: "COVID-19 / abortion industry operations"
shortfall_type: "incrementalist_by_implication"
composite: 2
verification: "primary"
signature_rows: 52
primary_url: "https://sbaprolife.org/"
source_url: "https://www.abhortion.org/letters/pl-2020-003.html"
---

# Pro-life coalition letter to Secretary Azar: pro-life concerns during the coronavirus crisis

**Coalition letter** · March 24, 2020 · Incrementalist by implication · composite 2 / 12 · Primary source

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Letter ID | PL-2020-003 |
| Date | March 24, 2020 |
| Lead organization | [Susan B. Anthony List](../letters/orgs/o001.md) |
| Recipient | HHS Secretary Alex Azar |
| Topic | COVID-19 / abortion industry operations |
| Type | Coalition letter |
| Verification | Primary source |
| Signature rows | 52 (~52 reported) |
| Completeness | Complete from letter text |

## Key language

> “urge public officials to use their broad emergency authority to safeguard against the extreme abortion agenda” — Susan B. Anthony List, March 24, 2020

## Scorecard

Composite **2 of 12** — incrementalist by implication. Each dimension is scored 0 (none), 1 (implied) or 2 (explicit); the rationale is the editor's one-line reason for every non-zero score. D2 and D4 are the fault line the abolitionist critique cares most about.

| Dimension | Score | Meaning at this score | Rationale |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| D1 Exceptions | 0 | None | — |
| D2 Immunity for the mother (fault line) | 0 | None | — |
| D3 Incrementalism | 1 | By implication — a funding, drug, research, Hyde or Title X letter that takes no abolition position | Seeks regulation/defunding/enforcement rather than abolition; takes no position on equal protection. |
| D4 Opposition to abolition or equal-protection bills (fault line) | 0 | None | — |
| D5 Framing | 0 | None | — |
| D6 Secular framing | 1 | Mixed — mentions prayer or faith, or mixed religious signers | Public-health framing; closes with prayer. |

## Signatories

52 signature rows · ~52 reported by the letter · **Complete from letter text.** Full signature block transcribed from the letter itself. Rows are transcribed as printed, in printed order.

| # | Name as printed | Title as printed | Organization as printed |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [Marjorie Dannenfelser](../letters/people/i0001.md) | President | [Susan B. Anthony List](../letters/orgs/o001.md) |
| 2 | [Chuck Donovan](../letters/people/i0078.md) | President | [Charlotte Lozier Institute](../letters/orgs/o073.md) |
| 3 | [Carol Tobias](../letters/people/i0079.md) | President | [National Right to Life](../letters/orgs/o074.md) |
| 4 | [Tony Perkins](../letters/people/i0009.md) | President | [Family Research Council](../letters/orgs/o009.md) |
| 5 | [Greg Schleppenbach](../letters/people/i0080.md) | Associate Director | [USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities](../letters/orgs/o075.md) |
| 6 | [Penny Young Nance](../letters/people/i0004.md) | CEO and President | [Concerned Women for America LAC](../letters/orgs/o004.md) |
| 7 | [Donna Harrison M.D.](../letters/people/i0013.md) | Executive Director | [American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists](../letters/orgs/o013.md) |
| 8 | [Kristan Hawkins](../letters/people/i0008.md) | President | [Students for Life of America](../letters/orgs/o008.md) |
| 9 | [Fr. Frank Pavone](../letters/people/i0027.md) | National Director | [Priests for Life](../letters/orgs/o026.md) |
| 10 | [Lila Rose](../letters/people/i0011.md) | Founder & President | [Live Action](../letters/orgs/o011.md) |
| 11 | [Jeanne Mancini](../letters/people/i0002.md) | President | [March for Life](../letters/orgs/o002.md) |
| 12 | [Russell Moore](../letters/people/i0081.md) | President | [Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission](../letters/orgs/o076.md) |
| 13 | [Jessica Anderson](../letters/people/i0082.md) | Vice President | [Heritage Action](../letters/orgs/o077.md) |
| 14 | [Eunie Smith](../letters/people/i0083.md) | President | [Eagle Forum](../letters/orgs/o078.md) |
| 15 | [Jordan Sekulow](../letters/people/i0084.md) | Executive Director | [American Center for Law and Justice](../letters/orgs/o079.md) |
| 16 | [Larry Cirignano](../letters/people/i0085.md) | DC Representative | [Children First Foundation](../letters/orgs/o080.md) |
| 17 | [Shawn Carney](../letters/people/i0086.md) | CEO & President | [40 Days for Life](../letters/orgs/o081.md) |
| 18 | [David Nammo](../letters/people/i0087.md) | Executive Director & CEO | [Christian Legal Society](../letters/orgs/o082.md) |
| 19 | [Thomas A. Glessner, J.D.](../letters/people/i0088.md) | President | [National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA)](../letters/orgs/o083.md) |
| 20 | [Monica Migliorino Miller, Ph. D.](../letters/people/i0089.md) | Director | [Citizens for a Pro-Life Society](../letters/orgs/o084.md) |
| 21 | [Judie Brown](../letters/people/i0014.md) | President | [American Life League](../letters/orgs/o014.md) |
| 22 | [Dorinda C. Bordlee](../letters/people/i0090.md) | VP, Senior Counsel | [Bioethics Defense Fund](../letters/orgs/o085.md) |
| 23 | [Samuel H. Lee](../letters/people/i0091.md) | Director | [Campaign Life Missouri](../letters/orgs/o086.md) |
| 24 | [Roland C. Warren](../letters/people/i0019.md) | President & CEO | [Care Net](../letters/orgs/o018.md) |
| 25 | [David Daleiden](../letters/people/i0092.md) | Project Lead | [Center for Medical Progress](../letters/orgs/o087.md) |
| 26 | [Aaron Baer](../letters/people/i0074.md) | President | [Citizens for Community Values (Ohio)](../letters/orgs/o069.md) |
| 27 | [Mary Hallan FioRito](../letters/people/i0093.md) | Cardinal Francis George Fellow | [Ethics and Public Policy Center and de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture](../letters/orgs/o088.md) |
| 28 | [Mark Harrington](../letters/people/i0094.md) | President | [Created Equal](../letters/orgs/o089.md) |
| 29 | [James Nolan, Esq.](../letters/people/i0039.md) | President | [Crossroads Pro-Life](../letters/orgs/o035.md) |
| 30 | [Connie Eller, MoFDC, BSSW](../letters/people/i0065.md) | Founder | [Missouri Blacks for Life](../letters/orgs/o060.md) |
| 31 | [Dan Zeidler](../letters/people/i0095.md) | President | [Family Life Council, Inc. (Wisconsin)](../letters/orgs/o090.md) |
| 32 | [Tami L. Fitzgerald](../letters/people/i0096.md) | Executive Director | [NC Values Coalition](../letters/orgs/o091.md) |
| 33 | [Autumn Leva](../letters/people/i0097.md) | Vice President of Strategy | [Family Policy Alliance](../letters/orgs/o003.md) |
| 34 | [Michael Gonidakis](../letters/people/i0098.md) | President | [Ohio Right to Life](../letters/orgs/o092.md) |
| 35 | [Eva Andrade](../letters/people/i0036.md) | President | [Hawaii Family Forum](../letters/orgs/o033.md) |
| 36 | [Cynthia Collins](../letters/people/i0099.md) | Global Advisor | [Operation Outcry](../letters/orgs/o093.md) |
| 37 | [Brian Fisher](../letters/people/i0034.md) | President | [Human Coalition](../letters/orgs/o031.md) |
| 38 | [Troy Newman](../letters/people/i0100.md) | President | [Operation Rescue](../letters/orgs/o094.md) |
| 39 | [Joe Langfeld](../letters/people/i0029.md) | Executive Director | [Human Life Alliance](../letters/orgs/o028.md) |
| 40 | [Kelsey Hazzard](../letters/people/i0028.md) | President | [Secular Pro-Life](../letters/orgs/o027.md) |
| 41 | [Walter B. Hoye II](../letters/people/i0101.md) | President | [Issues4Life Foundation](../letters/orgs/o095.md) |
| 42 | [Bryan Kemper](../letters/people/i0102.md) | President | [Stand True Youth Pro-life Outreach](../letters/orgs/o096.md) |
| 43 | [Robert Cielnicky](../letters/people/i0103.md) | Director | [Life Amendment Coalition](../letters/orgs/o097.md) |
| 44 | [Jim Sedlak](../letters/people/i0016.md) | Founder | [STOPP International](../letters/orgs/o016.md) |
| 45 | [Alexandra Snyder, Esq.](../letters/people/i0104.md) | Executive Director | [Life Legal Defense Foundation](../letters/orgs/o098.md) |
| 46 | [Allan E. Parker, Jr.](../letters/people/i0105.md) | President | [The Justice Foundation](../letters/orgs/o099.md) |
| 47 | [Brendan O'Connell](../letters/people/i0106.md) | President | [Life Matters TV and Media Inc.](../letters/orgs/o100.md) |
| 48 | [Bethany Bomberger](../letters/people/i0107.md) | Executive Director | [The Radiance Foundation](../letters/orgs/o023.md) |
| 49 | [Steven Ertelt](../letters/people/i0022.md) | Editor | [Lifenews.com](../letters/orgs/o021.md) |
| 50 | [Tom Brejcha](../letters/people/i0108.md) | President and Chief Counsel | [Thomas More Society](../letters/orgs/o101.md) |
| 51 | [John Helmberger](../letters/people/i0063.md) | Chief Executive Officer | [Minnesota Family Council](../letters/orgs/o058.md) |
| 52 | [Julaine K. Appling](../letters/people/i0076.md) | President | [Wisconsin Family Action](../letters/orgs/o071.md) |

## Organizations on this letter

52 distinct organizations and 52 named individuals, after normalizing renamed and affiliated entities.

- [Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America](../letters/orgs/o001.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Charlotte Lozier Institute](../letters/orgs/o073.md) — Advocacy or other
- [National Right to Life Committee](../letters/orgs/o074.md) — Right-to-life group
- [Family Research Council](../letters/orgs/o009.md) — Family policy council
- [U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops](../letters/orgs/o075.md) — Religious body
- [Concerned Women for America](../letters/orgs/o004.md) — Advocacy or other
- [American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists](../letters/orgs/o013.md) — Medical
- [Students for Life of America](../letters/orgs/o008.md) — Right-to-life group
- [Priests for Life](../letters/orgs/o026.md) — Right-to-life group
- [Live Action](../letters/orgs/o011.md) — Advocacy or other
- [March for Life](../letters/orgs/o002.md) — Right-to-life group
- [Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission](../letters/orgs/o076.md) — Religious body
- [Heritage Action for America](../letters/orgs/o077.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Eagle Forum](../letters/orgs/o078.md) — Advocacy or other
- [American Center for Law and Justice](../letters/orgs/o079.md) — Legal
- [Children First Foundation](../letters/orgs/o080.md) — Advocacy or other
- [40 Days for Life](../letters/orgs/o081.md) — Right-to-life group
- [Christian Legal Society](../letters/orgs/o082.md) — Legal
- [National Institute of Family and Life Advocates](../letters/orgs/o083.md) — Family policy council
- [Citizens for a Pro-Life Society](../letters/orgs/o084.md) — Legal
- [American Life League](../letters/orgs/o014.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Bioethics Defense Fund](../letters/orgs/o085.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Campaign Life Missouri](../letters/orgs/o086.md) — Advocacy or other, MO
- [Care Net](../letters/orgs/o018.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Center for Medical Progress](../letters/orgs/o087.md) — Medical
- [Center for Christian Virtue](../letters/orgs/o069.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Ethics and Public Policy Center and de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture](../letters/orgs/o088.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Created Equal](../letters/orgs/o089.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Crossroads Pro-Life](../letters/orgs/o035.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Missouri Blacks for Life](../letters/orgs/o060.md) — Right-to-life group, MO
- [Family Life Council, Inc. (Wisconsin)](../letters/orgs/o090.md) — Family policy council, WI
- [NC Values Coalition](../letters/orgs/o091.md) — Family policy council, NC
- [Family Policy Alliance](../letters/orgs/o003.md) — Family policy council
- [Ohio Right to Life](../letters/orgs/o092.md) — Right-to-life group, OH
- [Hawaii Family Forum](../letters/orgs/o033.md) — Family policy council, HI
- [Operation Outcry](../letters/orgs/o093.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Human Coalition](../letters/orgs/o031.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Operation Rescue](../letters/orgs/o094.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Human Life Alliance](../letters/orgs/o028.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Secular Pro-Life](../letters/orgs/o027.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Issues4Life Foundation](../letters/orgs/o095.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Stand True Youth Pro-life Outreach](../letters/orgs/o096.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Life Amendment Coalition](../letters/orgs/o097.md) — Advocacy or other
- [STOPP International](../letters/orgs/o016.md) — Advocacy or other
- [Life Legal Defense Foundation](../letters/orgs/o098.md) — Legal
- [The Justice Foundation](../letters/orgs/o099.md) — Legal
- [Life Matters TV and Media Inc.](../letters/orgs/o100.md) — Advocacy or other
- [The Radiance Foundation](../letters/orgs/o023.md) — Advocacy or other
- [LifeNews.com](../letters/orgs/o021.md) — Media
- [Thomas More Society](../letters/orgs/o101.md) — Legal
- [Minnesota Family Council](../letters/orgs/o058.md) — Family policy council, MN
- [Wisconsin Family Action](../letters/orgs/o071.md) — Family policy council, WI

## Sources

- [sbaprolife.org](https://sbaprolife.org/) — Primary source (https://sbaprolife.org/)
- [townhall.com/tipsheet/reaganmcca…](https://townhall.com/tipsheet/reaganmccarthy/2020/03/24/prolife-groups-pen-letter-to-sec-azar-n2565604) — secondary (https://townhall.com/tipsheet/reaganmccarthy/2020/03/24/prolife-groups-pen-letter-to-sec-azar-n2565604)

## Editorial note

The rubric records distance from the standard published by Abolitionists Rising, not a moral verdict; every organization scored here regards itself as pro-life. Scores are judgment calls applied consistently by the published rubric.