The American Heart Association has moved into the "red" category of the American Life League's (ALL) latest Charity Watchlist.
Of the three color-coded categories, a green light means ALL considers the charity worthy of support because of its pro-life stance. Caution is urged for groups with a yellow rating, and ALL advises against supporting organizations it rates as red due to their positions on life, family, and LGBT issues.
"They were actually previously on our green list," notes American Life League's Katie Brown. "The American Heart Association said that they don't use any kind of embryonic stem cell research in all of their practices – they don't encourage it; they don't provide grants for it. So, that gave them the green rating."
However, ALL researchers have since found a relationship between the American Heart Association and Planned Parenthood. Not only do they refer patients to Planned Parenthood for their "reproductive services," but they also have an established relationship with the facility in Roanoke, Virginia.
"So, unfortunately, that was something that moved them from our green list to our red list," Brown explains.
AFN is seeking comment from American Heart Association, which is one of many organizations in the red category.
Meanwhile, the American Life League is encouraging people, especially those who have been helped by the organization in the past, to call and ask why this is something they feel that they should support.
Brown says putting the pressure on in a very kind way sometimes encourages organizations to not have partnerships with those that really have nothing to do with their mission. The AHA's mission is to help people live longer, healthier lives. Planned Parenthood is the nation's largest abortion provider.
The Charity Watchlist is meant to bring awareness and education for potential supporters of the 60+ listed charities and to encourage change in the positions held by some of those groups.
