"The Local 4 hidden camera investigation showed the doctor performing an abortion for $150 in a rundown building in Detroit. It also showed the doctor using dirty equipment and recorded the doctor on hidden camera saying he would perform abortions `on the spot,' which is a violation of the state's 24-hour waiting period."

"The television news report also recorded the doctor suggesting he would perform an abortion on underage girls, even without parental consent, which is required by law for minors." See: http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/14222262/detail.html

After the report aired, the rest of the MSM were quick to zero-in on Dr. P, which in turn put pressure on DCH to actually do something.  For example, the Detroit News subsequently reported that DCH had launched an investigation:

"Allegations of illegal abortions in an unsanitary environment led state health investigators on Friday to seize the records of Pornpichit Sethavarangura, a Detroit doctor, and launch an investigation.  The state seized the records following a WDIV-TV report last week on Sethavarangura. . ."  See: http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:KlUNsFWelkIJ:www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article%3FAID%3D/200 70721/LIFESTYLE03/707210344/1022/POLITICS+sethavarangura+wdiv&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=20&gl =us

Considering the fact that Dr. P has been performing abortions for YEARS in Michigan, why did DCH only act after WDIV brought Dr. P's abuses to the attention of the public?  Hmm. . .

Sure enough, late last month, DCH inspectors showed-up at Dr. P's abortuary, with WDIV cameras rolling (of course), in order to close down Dr. P's so-called business.  You can see DCH inspectors dramatically marching into Dr. P's clinic and pontificating for the cameras in this WDIV report located here:

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/14222262/detail.html

Yes, DCH does such a great job of enforcing Michigan abortion regulations that it only gets the job done after a popular TV station broadcasts indisputable evidence of Dr. P's illegal actions for all to see!  But when a group of pro-life citizens brings forth similar evidence against an equally reprehensible abortionist, Robert Alexander, DCH dismisses the evidence without so much as making one site visit to Alexander's abortuary or even placing a phone call.  

So is DCH really interested in protecting the public from unscrupulous abortionists, as it claims, or is the department, under pro-abortion Governor Granholm, more interested in doing damage control before the cameras?  

DCH's swift handling of the complaint against Dr. P, in comparison to its handling of the allegations against Robert Alexander, undoubtedly suggests it is definitely the latter proposition.          

About the author: Andrew Shirvell, Esq., is a pro-life citizen activist who writes a weekly column that is published every Thursday for RightMichigan.com in which he focuses upon Michigan pro-life issues. Shirvell attended Ave Maria School of Law - Ann Arbor, where he served as president of the school's Bioethics Society, from 2004-2005.  He also served as president of Students for Life at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, from 2000-2002.