2. COLORADO LAWMAKER ARGUES FOR TAXPAYER-FUNDED ABORTION… BECAUSE IT’S CHEAPER THAN BIRTH
from: LiveAction

SYNOPSIS: Colorado House Speaker Julie McCluskie argued that taxpayer-funded abortions are cheaper than Medicaid-funded births, citing "averted births" as a cost-saving measure, when Senate Bill 183, which would mandate taxpayer funding for abortions and require public employee insurance to cover them, was under consideration in the Colorado House.

Critics, including Dr. Catherine Wheeler (a former abortionist) and Brittany Vessely (executive director of the Colorado Catholic Conference), strongly condemned McCluskie's statements, arguing that the bill's fiscal note significantly underestimates the true costs of abortion, especially late-term abortions. Pro-life advocates view the proposed legislation as prioritizing cost savings over the lives of unborn children, highlighting the ethically problematic justification for funding abortions based on perceived cost savings. Despite criticism, SB 183 passed the House Health & Human Services Committee in a party-line vote. The article calls on the President and RFK, Jr. to defund Planned Parenthood.

(One might ask: Since it was so expensive to bear the baby girl to become that Colorado lawmaker, why didn't her mother just abort her?)

Pray for an end to the stupidity of immoral laws and lawmakers that legalize the murder of unborn babies as cost-saving measures.

3. UGCC AND OCU PARISHES COMPLETELY DESTROYED IN RUSSIAN-OCCUPIED TERRITORIES OF UKRAINE
from: RISU

SYNOPSIS: Religious communities in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine have drastically decreased, with the most significant losses among UGCC and OCU parishes. Radio Liberty reports that the number of religious communities has fallen from 1967 to 902 due to Russian aggression, specifically targeting communities not affiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate. Russian forces have destroyed or appropriated church buildings, with examples including the appropriation of an OCU church in Novoazovsk and a Protestant church in Melitopol.

The Novaya Gazeta Europe study highlights the widespread religious persecution and violence against religious leaders in the occupied areas. This report from RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine) underscores the severe impact of the war on religious freedom in Ukraine. Parishes of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) and the Catholic Church (UGCC) have been completely decimated. The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) has been implicated in the seizure of church buildings.

Intercede for Christians of all stripes in Ukraine whose church buildings have been destroyed or appropriated for godless uses such as barracks and breweries.

4. TWO LIVES, TWO PATIENTS – ONE WONDROUS MIRACLE
from: Celebrate Life Magazine

SYNOPSIS: In 1967, Gary Griffin's wife, Mary, became seriously ill during pregnancy, facing a difficult medical situation with a possible life-threatening condition, creating a life-altering challenge for the couple. Their unborn child, Steven, was born prematurely, facing critical health conditions due to the premature birth and related complications. Gary Griffin recounts the difficult decision-making process when abortion was illegal, not an option, highlighting the couple's faith and trust in God during this difficult time.

Steven survived despite facing life-threatening circumstances and growing up to be a healthy and successful individual. The author reflects on how the circumstances of 1967 emphasize the importance of the availability and value of life, especially when considering abortion as an option. The article concludes with a strong pro-life perspective, emphasizing the miraculous work of God in the face of hardship and the importance of choosing life. Gary Griffin shares his personal story as a testimony for the value of life and the importance of faith.

Praise God for faithful Christians like Gary and Mary Griffin who struggled to bear and raise their preemie baby who's now a healthy adult and father.

5. MANY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES RISK LOSING MEDICAID IF THEY WORK TOO MUCH
from: Disability Scoop

SYNOPSIS: Many people with disabilities risk losing Medicaid benefits if they earn too much, due to strict income and asset caps in many states' Medicaid buy-in programs. Zach Mecham, a person with a disability, is impacted by these rules, needing assistance to work while staying within the income limits of Medicaid. He advocates for changes to the system. Iowa is considering a bill ("Work Without Worry") to remove income and asset caps, replacing them with a 6% income-based premium for Medicaid coverage, with waivers for those with employer-based health insurance.

Advocates argue that income and asset caps in Medicaid buy-in programs create a "poverty trap," preventing individuals with disabilities from pursuing full-time employment or promotions. Similar proposals are being considered in other states, demonstrating a broader national discussion about the challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing and maintaining Medicaid benefits while working. Federal and state Medicaid programs face the challenge of balancing access to crucial support services for people with disabilities and work requirements, a dilemma highlighted by Iowa's situation.

Ask the Lord for our society to strike the right balance between getting people back to work and caring for those with disabilities.

6. BIOLOGICAL AGING MAY NOT BE DRIVEN BY WHAT WE THOUGHT
from: LiveScience

SYNOPSIS: A new study by Dr. Steven Cummings, Trey Ideker, and Zane Koch links random genetic mutations with predictable epigenetic changes that measure biological aging. Epigenetic clocks track patterns of epigenetic markers, but the underlying mechanisms driving these changes were unclear. This research reveals a connection with DNA mutations. As people age, DNA mutations accumulate due to cell replication and exposure to factors like radiation. The study found a strong correlation between these mutations and changes in methylation patterns (a type of epigenetic modification)./p>

Mutations can lead to a loss of methylation at specific CpG sites in DNA, and methylation can, in turn, influence where DNA mutations appear. This creates a complex interplay between these two factors. Analysis of data from over 9,330 cancer patients shows that mutated cpg sites have less methylation, while nearby intact cpg sites are hypermethylated. this demonstrates a ripple effect around these mutations. the research suggests that these genetic and epigenetic changes may both be downstream of a common process driving aging, though the study proposes that dna mutations might drive aging and epigenetics reflects this. further research is needed, including studies on non-cancer individuals and longitudinal studies to fully understand the causal relationship between mutations and methylation, and their implications for aging.

Praise God for the progress being made in understanding what causes ageing and finding ways to slow down the debiitating effects.

7. IT'S TIME TO DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD
from: First Things

SYNOPSIS: This article argues that Planned Parenthood is a politically motivated corporation that prioritizes abortion over comprehensive women's healthcare, despite receiving substantial taxpayer funding. The article highlights that Planned Parenthood spends a majority of its taxpayer-funded resources on elective abortions (97.1%) and significantly less on prenatal support (1.6%). It asserts that numerous alternative providers, such as FQHCs, free clinics, pregnancy help centers, and maternity homes, offer a broader range of comprehensive care, including prenatal care and support services, often at a lower cost and with more readily available appointments.

The article claims Planned Parenthood's prioritizing of abortion over other essential medical services is evident in declining prenatal care, cancer screenings, and other preventative measures, while government funding continues to increase. The authors contend that Planned Parenthood is a partisan political powerhouse with significant political contributions and a large financial surplus, not a struggling healthcare provider. The article challenges the notion that Planned Parenthood is the only healthcare option for underserved women, emphasizing the extensive network of alternative providers available. The piece promotes redirecting taxpayer funding from Planned Parenthood to these alternative healthcare providers, advocating for a stronger social safety net for women and families.

Pray for our national and state governments to defund Planned "Barrenhood" and for an end to the world's largest cause of death: murdering the unborn.