This week the House Rules Committee sent legislation to the House floor that would rescind an Obama administration rule, finalized in December, that is meant to block states from cutting off federal funding to organizations that offer abortion care, ensuring that women’s health centers continue to receive Title X funds for other health services including STI/STD testing, cancer screenings and birth control access.
Tom Price, Opponent of Abortion and Contraception Access, to lead Department of Health and Human Services
He has a 100 percent rating from the National Right to Life Committee and a zero rating from Planned Parenthood.
Senate Fight on Zika Funding Continues
After a seven-week-long recess, Congress returns to work today, with the Senate expected to vote on funding to combat the Zika virus
Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in Birth Control Case
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments yesterday—the 6th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)—on whether religiously affiliated non-profits can use their religious beliefs to discriminate against women by blocking health insurance coverage for birth control.
VA Governor Proposes Plan for Free, Long-Lasting Birth Control
Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam announced a $9 million program proposal on Friday that would make free long-lasting birth control available to women who have little or no health insurance.
ACA Birth Control Benefit Heads Back to the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court today agreed to hear arguments from religiously affiliated non-profits challenging women’s right to access insurance coverage for birth control under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Claims Against Planned Parenthood Repeatedly Proven Bogus
Five states have now concluded investigations into the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), and every single investigation has concluded no wrongdoing. These investigations were stimulated by highly doctored and deceptive videos falsely claiming PPFA has been selling fetal tissue. State agency representatives from Georgia, South Dakota, Florida, Indiana, and Massachusetts have independently confirmed that all […]
Women Are Saving Hundreds of Dollars on Contraception Following the ACA’s Implementation
Since the Affordable Care Act took effect, women have saved dramatically on birth control and emergency contraception.
Black Communities Overwhelmingly Support Reproductive Rights
A new study has found that the majority of Black men and women believe in a woman’s right to choose and want women to have access to abortion care and contraception.
Planned Parenthood Cleared to Apply for License in New Orleans
The Louisiana health department has allowed Planned Parenthood to apply for a license to provide abortion services in New Orleans, backtracking on a previous rule that barred the organization from opening a clinic in the city.
New York Attorney General Moves to Expand Access to Contraceptives
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman introduced the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act of 2015 last week to enhance the availability of contraception for New Yorkers.
Obama Administration Clarifies ACA Birth Control Benefit After Reports of Conflicting Policies
The Obama administration announced yesterday in new guidance to health insurance companies that insurers are obligated to cover all forms of birth control under the Affordable Care Act.
House Reverses DC Law Banning Reproductive Health Discrimination by Employers
The US House of Representatives voted Thursday night to overturn a Washington, D.C., law that makes it illegal for employers to retaliate against employees who have premarital sex or who have an abortion.
US Ranks 16th Worldwide on 2015 Social Progress Index
The 2015 Social Progress Index assesses and scores countries worldwide across three categories: Basic Human Needs, Foundations of Wellbeing, and Opportunity.
DC City Council Unanimously Approves Reproductive Health Anti-Discrimination Bill
Wednesday, the Washington, DC City Council unanimously passed a bill that will prohibit employer interference in the reproductive health decisions of their employees. The Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act of 2014 was first introduced by DC Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large), just ahead of the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of for-profit retail chain Hobby Lobby this […]
Federal Appeals Court Rejects Challenge to Affordable Care Act Birth Control Benefit
In a victory for women’s health, a unanimous panel of the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit on Friday rejected a challenge to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) contraceptive coverage benefit brought by Priests for Life, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Washington and other religiously affiliated non-profit organizations.
Major Local and National Newspapers Want Colorado to Vote No on Amendment 67
18 newspapers in Colorado have spoken out against Amendment 67, a personhood amendment being decided by voters tomorrow which would ban all abortions and in-vitro fertilization in the state and restrict access to common forms of birth control.
Federal Judge Exempts Another Catholic University from Birth Control Coverage
The founder of Ave Maria University, Tom Monaghan – who also founded Domino’s Pizza – governs the town of Ave Maria. The town only has one OB/GYN and prohibits the distribution of contraception completely.
Students Protest Fordham University’s Anti-Birth Control Policy
Students at Fordham University are engaged in a battle against the New York City Catholic school’s anti-birth control policy.
Experts Recommend IUDs and Contraceptive Implants for Sexually Active Teenagers
Last week, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggested sexually active teenagers use contraceptive implants and intrauterine devices over other forms of birth control.
