Granite City 's Hope Abortion Clinic 
Violates HIPAA Laws
Written by Angela Michael

Nahum 3:1 "Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without victims!"

            On Saturday, July 31^st, the Midwest 's largest, late-term abortion mill released personal medical information to the public. Abortion mills, in particular Hope Clinic, have been exposed for being unsafe, unsanitary, and unregulated. Now medical information is at risk inside this 2 million dollar state of the art chop shop.

            Not only do women need to worry about their personal safety, but they also have to worry about clinic staff releasing their personal medical information. “Jennifer” from Kansas found out Saturday at the Hope Clinic in Granite City , Illinois that they cannot keep personal medical information private.

            After she came out of the Hope Clinic on Saturday morning, a Clinic escort shouted to people standing on the sidewalk, "She's not pregnant!" The escort then took “Jennifer's” picture with her cell phone. We intercepted “Jennifer” as she pulled off the property to see if we could help her as she was visibly upset after hearing an escort scream her medical condition to total strangers. She said, "I'm calling the cops! She took my picture and released my medical info to you people out here. Why would she do that?"

            About fifteen minutes later, Officer M. Maue of the Granite City Police Department came and questioned “Jennifer” about what happened. He then gave her his badge number, pointed to Small Victories director Angela Michael, and said, "These people know me," and told her to go inside the Clinic and get a form to file a HIPAA report. Another futile diversion, as Hope Clinic is its own kingdom and polices itself. They use the local law enforcement as their whipping boys. Deb Wiehardt, assistant director, was on duty, but the executive director was called in to do damage control. Sally Burgess said, "None of our escorts would ever release medical information about any patient." There were several witnesses to verify that they heard this statement made by the escort. As a result, “Jennifer” is filing a complaint with the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation. The HIPAA privacy rule "provides federal protections for personal health information held by covered entities and gives patients an array of rights with respect to that information." (www.hhs.gov)

            A few years ago, the Hope Clinic was sued for a similar debacle as an employee was terminated for releasing medical information concerning a pregnant woman who came for an abortion to her former boyfriend.

            Angela and Daniel Michael of Small Victories talked with two abortion-bound women who saved their babies this day outside of Hope Clinic. One was eight weeks pregnant and another woman who changed her mind is coming back this week for an ultrasound.

            Small Victories Ministry is a Christian based organization with the help of their twelve children, and has led the battle to fight abortion by pioneering the ultrasound movement outside abortion mills. We are there every day the mill is in operation. We are a "window to the womb" with a mobile pregnancy outreach equipped with ultrasound, baby supplies, literature, adoption profiles and information, lawyers and physician referrals. Over 3,600 babies have been saved from abortion with 36 of these babies having been adopted. Currently, we have two babies that were saved from abortion, that are up for adoption.