Feminist Newswire, Author at Feminist Majority Foundation

Hobby Lobby Win Injunction Against Birth Control Mandate

Posted on July 22, 2013June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

After receiving a temporary injunction from US District Judge Joe Heaton last week, Hobby Lobby will now be exempted from the Affordable Care Act stipulation that requires employer-based insurance plans to cover various birth control methods at no extra cost to employees until October 1, 2013.

In September of last year, the evangelical-owned Hobby Lobby and sister company Mardel Inc. filed a federal lawsuit against the Obama Administration over the mandate requiring employers to provide coverage for the morning-after pill and other contraceptives. Under the new mandate, companies who do not provide coverage for contraception can face fines of up to $1.3 million daily.

In June, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Hobby Lobby, saying that the company had the right to uphold its religious beliefs and deny contraceptive coverage. The federal government has until October 1, 2013 to file an appeal with the US Supreme Court.

The company’s conservative owners, the Green family, object to specific forms of birth control like emergency contraceptives and intrauterine devices based on their belief that life begins at conception. The company covers 16 forms of birth control through the employee insurance plan. Although emergency contraceptives have been specifically included in the ACA’s list of covered prescriptions, the company’s CEO maintained that “To offer prescriptions that take life is not an option for us.”

Hobby Lobby Stores Inc et al v. Sebelius et al, U.S. District Court is one of 63 lawsuits around the nation that have been filed against the ACA’s mandate of comprehensive birth control coverage.

Media Resources: Reuters 7/20/13; Associated Press 7/19/2013; ThinkProgress 7/19/2013; Feminist Newswire 11/20/12

Sexual Battery Charges Against Air Force Officer Dropped

Posted on July 19, 2013July 22, 2013 by Feminist Newswire

A charge of sexual battery against Air Force officer Jeffrey Krusinski was dropped on Thursday. He is instead being charged with assault and battery and could still face jail time.

Krusinki was the Air Force officer in charge of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program when he was accused of approaching a woman in a parking lot and grabbing her breasts and buttocks. The prosecutor,Theo Stamos, told Rueters that “after a closer investigation of the facts and a review of the status of the case law, the more appropriate charge is the assault and battery, not the sexual battery charge.”

Both charges come with the same penalty of up to a year in prison and/or heavy fines. Krusinski’s current charge, however, denies that there was any sexually violent nature to his crime. Krusinki’s lawyer, Barry Coburn, stated that “the reason this matter became newsworthy in the first place is because he was charged with a sex offense.”

Krusinki’s trial coincides with a number of recent sexual assault scandals within the ranks of the Air Force. At the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, close to 60 victims have come forward with reports of sexual abuse. In the ongoing investigation, 17 training instructors and drill sergeants were charged with misconduct. Additionally, Col. James Wilkerson was convicted of aggravated sexual assault last year, and was sentenced to a year in prison. Lt. Gen Craig Franklin, however, overruled the sentence and reinstated Wilkerson into the Air Force.

Prosecutors in Krusinski’s case expect to present to a grand jury on August 19.

Media Resources: Rueters, 7/18/2013; Stars and Stripes, 7/18/2013; Business Week, 7/18/2013; Huffington Post, 5/6/2013; Stars and Stripes, 5/6/2013

Texas Bill Introduced Will Ban Abortion After 6 Weeks

Posted on July 19, 2013July 22, 2013 by Feminist Newswire

On Thursday, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a controversial abortion ban, also known as HB 2, into law, officially limiting access to 20 weeks and establishing new regulations for abortion clinics and providers within the state. Two hours later, state Rep. Phil King introduced a bill, HB 59, to restrict abortions even further, this time to six weeks, or when a doctor is able to identify the heartbeat of a fetus.

Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision on abortion made over 40 years ago, set a standard to allow legal, unrestricted abortion access up until the point of “viability,” or before 24 weeks. Included in HB 59 is language stating that the 6-week ban would go into affect only if Roe were overturned , negating any claims of the bill’s unconstitutionality. At this time, North Dakota is the only state to ban abortion access after six weeks.

The future of HB 59 is relatively uncertain, as the Texas legislature is currently within its second special session of the year. This extended session will end on July 31st, leaving a fair amount of doubt if the legislature will have the time to debate HB 59 .

Media Resources: The Atlantic Wire 7/18/2013; My San Antonio 7/18/2013; Reality Check 7/18/2013

photo by sparkleplen_t via flickr

Texas Lawmaker Introduces Bill Blocking Abortion Restrictions Until Death Penalty Banned

Posted on July 17, 2013June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

Texas House Representative Harold Dutton Jr. (D) has introduced HB45, a counter-measure that would halt any further abortion restrictions until the state bans capital punishment.

The text of the bill reads “Notwithstanding any other law, a law enacted on or after June 1, 2013, that restricts access to abortion or the availability of abortion does not take effect until 60 days after publication in the Texas Register of a finding of fact made by the attorney general that the state has abolished the use of the death penalty as a punishment available on final conviction of a criminal offense.” HB45 is in response to the Texas legislature’s recent passage of severe anti-abortion restrictions that threaten to close 37 of the state’s 42 clinics.

Last month Texas Senator Wendy Davis (D) successfully filibustered SB5, the bill’s previous incarnation in the Senate; however, Texas Governor Rick Perry called a second special session in order to ensure its passage. Dutton previously attempted to attach a similar amendment to the House’s original bill.

Texas recently executed its 500th and 501st inmates and is due to execute another this month. Over half of the state’s executions have occurred under Perry’s administration. Texas leads the states for the number of executions.

Media Resources: Huffington Post 7/17/2013; Reuters 7/15/2013; Texas Legislator Online 7/8/2013; Feminist Newswire 7/15/2013, 6/27/2013, 6/26/2013

Children Die of Poisoning in India after Eating a Free School Meal

Posted on July 17, 2013June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

At least 22 students in Bihar, one of the poorest and most populous states in India, have died after eating a free school meal. The children, between the ages of 4 and 12 had eaten a lunch prepared by the school as a part of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

It is believed that an insecticide, organic phosphorous, got into the food during preparation but it is unclear if the poisoning was intentional. The deaths have sparked protests by women’s groups. Allegations of corruption in the generally celebrated program have become common. The Chief Minister of the region, Nitish Kumar, has offered about $3,400 to the families of the dead children. He has also called for an investigation into the cause of the poisoning.

The Mid-Day Meal Scheme began in 1925 and is currently the largest school meal program in the world providing food to about 20 million children daily. The state education minister, PK Shahi stated, “the scale at which the operation is being carried out, serving food to 20 million children every day and that too in remotest village schools, checking food before it is served – that itself is a challenge.” Shahi acknowledged that the food was not being properly checked before being served.

Media Resources: Al Jazeera 7/17/13; BBC 7/17/13; Reuters 7/17/13; Times of India 7/17/13

Northern Virginia Clinic Forced to Close

Posted on July 16, 2013June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

NOVA Women’s Healthcare, an abortion provider that is repudiated to be the busiest clinic in Virginia, has closed its facility in Fairfax as a result of new city regulations combined with impending new Targeted Regulations of Abortion Providers (TRAP laws). NOVA was one of the main abortion clinics in the Northern Virginia area, and a main provider of low-cost cancer-screenings, birth control options, and other women’s health services.

In an effort to meet new regulations that require abortion clinics to meet the same standards as new hospitals and the struggle against lawsuits from the property owners at its current location, NOVA tried to relocate. However, their nonresidential use permit was denied for a potential new location on the grounds the facility lacked adequate parking. The clinic decided not to petition the city council for a special exception.

In addition, on Tuesday the Fairfax city council voted on Tuesday to change its zoning regulations after learning of the clinic’s attempts to relocate. The new city regulations mandate that all abortion clinics be considered “medical care” centers, obtain a special permit from the council after a stringent process. The permit alone would have cost NOVA $4,800.

It is unclear if NOVA will reopen in the future. Another facility, Hillcrest Clinic in Norfolk, closed its doors because of the new state TRAP law in April. Though 18 clinics now remain in Virginia, it is uncertain how they will be able to handle the new regulations. Falls Church Healthcare Center has filed a legal challenge to the law, arguing that the Board of Health violated a governor’s order to take into account how the law would impact small businesses.

Media Resources: Huffington Post 7/15/2013; Washington Post 7/15/2013; Feminist Newswire 6/14/2013, 4/12/2013

Gillibrand Gains New Bi-Partisan Support in Fight Against Military Sexual Assault

Posted on July 16, 2013July 17, 2013 by Feminist Newswire

Today conservative Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rand Paul (R-KY) will officially announce their support for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s provision of the National Defense Reauthorization Act that would remove cases of military sexual assault from the chain of command.

The recent backing of the legislation by Cruz and Paul could bring support from the more conservative members of the Republican party as both senators carry influence within the conservative and tea-party factions. When asked about his new position on the issue, a spokesman for Senator Paul said, “Sen. Paul believes that the vast majority of our service members are honorable and upstanding individuals. In the instance when one is accused of a serious crime, especially one of harassment or assault, the allegation needs to be taken seriously and conflicts of interest should not impact whether a crime is prosecuted properly.”

Despite the setback Gillibrand faced after the Senate Armed Service Committee’s removal of her provision earlier this year, she continues to focus on the epidemic of military sexual assault. She and the bi-partisan coalition plan to direct Senate debate on the subject as early as next week.

There has been widespread call for reform of the military’s process for handling sexual assault since data released by the Pentagon earlier this year estimated that over 26,000 men and women in the military experienced unwanted sexual contact in 2012. Of those cases, only 3,374 were reported and only 302 of the incidents were prosecuted.

Media Resources: Politico 7/16/13; Washington Post 7/16/13; Feminist Newswire 6/12/13, 6/5/13, 5/8/2013

photo by psmckiernan via flickr

George Zimmerman Found Not Guilty

Posted on July 15, 2013June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

Late Saturday night, a six person jury in Florida found George Zimmerman “not guilty” for the murder of Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges.

George Zimmerman fatally shot Trayvon Martin on February 26, 2012, believing that the black teenager was a threat. Ignoring 911 dispatcher instructions, Zimmerman confronted Martin. During the fight, Zimmerman shot Martin, killing him. Trayvon Martin was 17 years old.

Originally Zimmerman was not charged for the incident by Florida police, citing the controversial “Stand Your Ground” law. Under that law, any person can use force when they believe they are being threatened in their home, business, care or any place they “have the legal right to be.” Without evidence refuting the self-defense claim, a person cannot be arrested, which Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee, Jr. said was the issue with charging Zimmerman. However after the case gathered national attention and scrutiny, the state of Florida filed second degree murder charges against Zimmerman two months later. Though the defense did not use the “Stand Your Ground” law as part of their argument, the six person jury of all white women determined that Zimmerman had not committed murder or manslaughter. Under Florida state law, all evidence from the case will be released, including the gun Zimmerman used to shoot Martin.

Across the nation, rallies of those frustrated or outraged by the verdict began immediately after the decision was handed down. Many protesters dressed in “hoodies” – a piece of clothing Martin was wearing that has become an public icon for the teenager – and marched through major cities. The verdict also grabbed the attention of major politicians and celebrities such as Beyonce, who paused for a moment of silence during a performance shortly after the verdict was announced.

Civil rights leaders across the country expressed outrage over the decision. Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation, said “I stand with NAACP Ben Jealous, Arnwine,and civil rights leaders in supporting the repeal of Stand Your Ground laws, and the opening of a civil rights case against George Zimmerman.” Benjamin Jealous, President of the NAACP, said in a statement “We are outraged and heartbroken over today’s verdict. We stand with Trayvon’s family and we are called to act. We will pursue civil rights charges with the Department of Justice, we will continue to fight for the removal of Stand Your Ground laws in every state, and we will not rest until racial profiling in all its forms is outlawed.” Later that night, the NAACP started a petition asking the Department of Justice (DOJ) to open a civil rights case against Zimmerman. You can sign the petition here. The DOJ has not indicated whether or not they will open a case, but has re-launched an inquiry into the shooting that had been suspended pending the Florida court case.

Media Resources: Huffington Post 7/15/2013; USA Today 7/15/2013; Los Angeles Times 7/14/2013; New York Times 7/14/2013; NAACP 7/13/2013; Washington Post 7/13/2013

Texas Passes Anti-Abortion Law, Confiscates Tampons

Posted on July 15, 2013August 1, 2013 by Feminist Newswire

The Texas state Senate passed an anti-abortion law that threatens to close all but five clinics in the state and has garnered national attention in a vote of 19 to 11 on Friday.

Conservative lawmakers rejected 20 separate proposed amendments that were designed to either kill the bill or weaken the restrictions that require abortion providers to have admitting privileges at local hospitals, clinics to meet strict safety standards even if they only perform medication induced abortions, and ban abortion after 20 weeks gestation with no exception for rape or incest.

Anticipating the same tactics as seen in the previous Senate vote, security confiscated numerous objects that could be thrown during the debate – including unused feminine hygiene products such as tampons and sanitary pads. Firearms, however, were allowed without much scrutiny, simply requiring officers to view the legal permit. The seizure of tampons continued until Senator Kirk Watson (D-Austin) convinced the Department of Public Safety to stop the collection.

The bill now goes before Governor Perry, who will sign the legislation into law. Abortion rights advocates plan to challenge the law in court. Julie Rikelman, litigation director for the Center for Reproductive Rights told NPR, “This law can absolutely be stopped. It is a cocktail of restrictions that have been blocked by other courts around the country. It’s clearly unconstitutional and I do believe that courts will find it to be unconstitutional if it’s challenged.”

The law gained national spotlight after Texas state Senator Wendy Davis (D-Fort Worth) held a marathon filibuster to defeat the bill in the previous special session. During the filibuster, which lasted over 10 hours, Davis was not permitted to go off-topic, sit down, break for eating, use the restroom, or even lean on her desk. Davis successfully continued her filibuster until 10:00 pm local time when supporters of the bill challenged her saying that she had violated procedural rules. When Davis’ filibuster was challenged, chants of “Let Her Speak” and “Shame” caused chaos in the hearing room. The chants continued when the final vote on the bill was taken at 11:45pm, making it difficult to count votes. It was later determined that though the bill had passed, the official vote occurred after midnight, thus voided the decision. Governor Rick Perry (R) called a second special session in order to pass the bill.

Media Resources: NPR 7/13/2013; Huffington Post 7/12/2012; Washington Post 7/12/2013; Feminist Newswire 6/26/2013

Catholic Health Association Agrees with Birth Control Coverage Provision

Posted on July 12, 2013July 12, 2013 by Feminist Newswire

The Catholic Health Association announced that it no longer disagrees with Obama Administration’s Contraception Solution, a plan that will allow employees to receive free birth control coverage.

Their statement contrasts with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, who claim that the administration’s final regulation interferes with religious freedom. U.S. Bishops asked Congress to overturn the federal contraceptive coverage last August.

After the criticisms last year, the administration made various modifications to the regulation. Churches are not required under the mandate to provide free birth control; however, other religiously affiliated organizations are. While the CHA agrees with the compromise, many other Catholic-affiliated organizations do not. Over 60 lawsuits have been filed against the new regulations by Catholic institutions and businesses.

Media Resources: Huffington Post, 7/10/2013; Kaiser Health News, 7/10/10/2013; Feminist Newswire 8/6/2012

Indian Juvenile Court Defers Verdict of Fatal Rape Case

Posted on July 11, 2013 by Feminist Newswire

A juvenile court in India has deferred the verdict of a 17 year old who is accused of participating in the gang-rape of a woman who later died from her injuries. He is charged with “rape, murder, destroying evidence, and other crimes including kidnapping carried out while aged 17.” according to the BBC. The verdict is now expected to be handed down on July 25, 2013. He has pleaded not guilty, and could face up to three years in a juvenile detention facility if convicted.

All six accused have plead not guilty. One of the accused adults allegedly committed suicide earlier this year, however his legal defense maintains he was murdered.

The court ruled that the suspect in question was a minor at the time of the attack based on elementary school certificates. Schools in India place students in classes based on what the parents say the child’s age is, not on birth certificates. As a result, the school certificates are an approximation. The punishment for a minor is up to three years in a juvenile facility while the others accused could face the death penalty.

On December 16th, 2012, a physiotherapy student was tortured and raped by a group of six males who were armed with a metal bar on a private bus in New Delhi. The woman was raped for nearly an hour before a metal rod was pushed inside her, critically damaging her internal organs. The victim was flown to Singapore for medical treatment where she died of her injuries later that month.

Media Resources: BBC 7/11/2013; Feminist Newswire 3/11/2013, 1/28/2013, 1/2/2013

Unlawful Single-Sex Education Case Settled in WV Court

Posted on July 11, 2013June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

A settlement reached this week between the ACLU of West Virginia and the Wood County Board of Education will result in the abandonment of single-sex education attempts for the next two years in the West Virginia school district.

Beginning in the 2010-2011 school year, Van Devender Middle School implemented a program requiring mandatory separation of students based on sex during all core curriculum classes. The separate classes were taught using gender-based strategies that have not been proven to improve student performance. Accommodations like seating arrangements, lighting, and punishments all differed based on “overly broad sex-based generalizations,” according to the West Virginia ACLU. After the settlement was reached, an attorney with the ACLU praised the school’s agreement to end the “blatantly unlawful program.”

Representing the mother of three female Van Devender students who had experienced adverse effects from the gender-based strategies, the ACLU filed their 2012 lawsuit based on the program’s violation of education equity, gender equality, and US Constitutional law. According to the ACLU, sex segregated classes in coed public schools are often inappropriately justified based on false beliefs that boys and girls learn differently and thus need to be taught differently and in sex separated classes.

The settlement also requires permission from the court for any future re-implementation of single-sex classroom programs in the Wood County school district.

Media Resources: ACLU 7/8/13; San Francisco Chronicle 7/2/13; Feminist Daily Newswire 6/4/12

NC Legislature Passes Another “Sneak Attack” Anti-Abortion Bill

Posted on July 11, 2013June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

Conservative North Carolina representatives have passed a “sneak attack” bill that combines an unrelated House bill on motorcycle safety with anti-abortion provisions. These provisions mirror the amendment added to an anti-Sharia bill that was passed in the Senate. The anti-abortion measures were only slightly changed in that women would not be required to remain at the clinic for the duration of a drug-induced abortion. However,many of the provisions that threaten to close all but one clinic in the state by requiring clinics to meet similar regulations as surgical centers remain.

In continuation with a 2012 campaign promise, Governor Pat McCrory (R) publicly stated on Wednesday that he would veto the senate bill, which would force clinics to follow the same procedures and regulations as a surgical center, as well as require a doctor to remain in the room throughout the entire procedure, even if it is a drug-induced abortion.

Debate on the bill began Thursday at 11am in the state House of Representatives. If it is approved, it will then return to the Senate for final approval. Supporters of the bill are hoping that the changes made would make the Governor reconsider his veto stance. However, many lawmakers and pro-choice groups are hoping that the Governor will keep his campaign promise.

“This is a real full-scale assault on a woman’s right of privacy and, in my view, all but extinguishes a woman’s right to choose in this state,” explained state Representative Rick Glazier (D). “People ought to be concerned about what it portends for the future when this majority seems only confined by one thing – and that’s how much they can get away with.”

Media Resources: Huffington Post 7/10/2013; NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina 7/10/2013; Reuters 7/10/2013; Feminist Newswire 7/3/2013

Judge Temporarily Blocks Abortion Law in Wisconsin

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Feminist Newswire

A federal judge temporarily blocked the portion of a new Wisconsin abortion law requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles. U.S. District Judge Conley delayed the law for 10 days, until after another hearing on July 17th.

The law, signed by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (R), took affect on Monday and includes multiple anti-abortion provisions such as ultrasound requirements before procedures and requiring admitting privileges for abortion providers. The regulations for abortion clinics outlined in the law will decrease access to abortions, closing all clinics in Wisconsin north of Madison, and eliminating access to abortion after 19 weeks throughout the entire state. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin and Affiliated Medical Services have already filed suit against the new law, which also requires all women to have an ultrasound before receiving an abortion. The Wisconsin Medical Society also opposed the law, which the attorney representing Planned Parenthood used as evidence that the law is not medically necessary to protect women’s health.

Judge Conley put a temporary injunction on the admitting privileges portion of the law, arguing that the law would create an undue burden of travel and delay for those women seeking abortions in the week before the next hearing. This next hearing will decide if the law will be enforced or blocked.

Media Resources: Journal Sentinel 7/9/2013; Associated Press 7/8/2013; Reuters 7/8/2013

UNC Faces New Federal Investigation of Sexual Assault Policies

Posted on July 8, 2013July 18, 2013 by Feminist Newswire

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill is now facing a third investigation into its sexual assault policies by the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). OCR is investigating allegations that sophomore Landen Gambill faced retaliation after filing a federal complaint against the school for their inappropriate response to her report of sexual assault.

After her report, Gambill was charged with an honor code violation that claimed she created an intimidating environment for the alleged rapist, even though she never publicly named him. Gambill would have been expelled if found guilty, but the charge was eventually dropped. The alleged rapist, who was found guilty of sexual harassing Gambill in 2012, was also moved to a dorm in close proximity to her later that year.

In April of this year the OCR released its “Dear Colleague” letter in which it warned college administrations that it is unlawful to inappropriately retaliate against students who have made federal complaints about civil rights violations. UNC’s third investigation will examine whether the honor code violation charge against Gambill and the moving of her alleged rapist to a dorm close to her could be constituted as inappropriate retaliation.

Media Resources: ThinkProgress 7/8/2013; Huffington Post 7/7/2013, 4/29/2013

North Carolina Passes Harsh Last Minute Anti-Abortion Amendment

Posted on July 3, 2013June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

On Wednesday morning, during the last minute discussion of an anti-Sharia bill, the North Carolina state Senate gave final approval to an amendment restricting abortion access in a vote of 29 to 12.
Tuesday evening, North Carolina state Senators covertly added an amendment that would severely limit women’s access to abortion services to a bill originally intended to outlaw Islamic Sharia Law throughout the family court system. Committee discussion of this bill (HB 695) was scheduled for 10:00 am on July 2. However, that discussion was delayed without public notice until 5:30 pm that evening causing voiced outrage from those opposing the newly added, abortion-related amendment. Referring to the similarly duplicitous actions of Republicans in the Texas state legislature, Suzanne Buckley, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina remarked, “They’re trying to pull a Texas.”

The bill, named the “Family, Faith, and Freedom Protection Act of 2013” [PDF] was almost doubled in length by the added amendment with several provisions covering a wide breadth of abortion related services. The amendment will now require the following of all patients, doctors, and hospitals that perform or seek out abortion related services:

Institute “Conscious Protection” – The amendment allows for any health care provider to ‘opt-out’ of providing abortion-related services, including referrals.

Limitation of Abortion Funding – Health plans created under the new state insurance exchange as mandated by the Affordable Care Act will not include abortion coverage. In addition, any city or county health plan in North Carolina may not extend more abortion coverage than received by state employees.

Sex Selective Abortions – Abortions believed to be sought out on the basis of the sex of the fetus will be outlawed.

Transfer Agreements – All clinics offering abortion services must enter into “transfer agreements” with a local hospital, though they are not necessary in cases of emergency.

Licensing – A new licensing process, similar to that of outpatient surgical clinics, will be required of all clinics offering abortion services.

Mandate “Informed Consent” – Requires that all scheduled patients are provided the name of the doctor performing the abortion 24 hours prior to their appointment, potentially putting the doctor in danger (anti-choice extremists have scheduled “fake” appointments just to get information about clinic employees, including doctors).

There is only one clinic in North Carolina out of the state’s 36 that currently meets all of the amendment’s new requirements if the bill is signed into law by the governor. North Carolina Governor Pat McCroy (R) has not said whether or not he will veto the bill, but chided the Senate Republicans for their efforts to rush the bill through the legislative process.

Media Resources: HB 695; Huffington Post 7/3/2013; News Observer 7/2/2013; WRAL 7/2/2013

Obama Administration Delays ACA Provision Until 2015

Posted on July 3, 2013June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

On Tuesday, the Obama Administration announced that they would delay the implementation of a key mandate from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act until 2015. The provision, which states that all employers with more than 50 employees must provide insurance coverage to their employees or face a monetary penalty was originally supposed to take effect in 2014.

Under the law, employers must provide information on coverage and costs in order to show that they offer adequate coverage to employees. The delay will give employers more time to provide the necessary information to the Internal Revenue Service, insurers, and insurance exchanges and will also ensure that companies understand and complete the process fully as well as accurately, according to NPR.

Reuters stated that many Democratic lawmakers are applauding the delay as a sign of flexibility. Republican lawmakers believe the move demonstrates how the mandate is flawed and ineffective.

Neil Trautwein, Employee Benefits Policy counsel for the National Retail Federation stated, “They’re not ready, we’re not ready, and rather than plow ahead, they’re going to take the right and wise approach. The last thing the administration or the business community needs is for the ACA to come out of the gate sideways.”

Media Resources: Huffington Post 7/2/13; NPR 7/2/13; Reuters 7/2/13

New Documents Released Suggest Priest Pedophilia Cover-Up

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Feminist Newswire

New documents released to the public on Monday suggest that Archbishop of New York, Timothy Dolan attempted to protect priests accused of sexually abusing minors and redistributed church funds to prevent them being seized as assets in abuse settlements.

As a result of the Milwaukee Archdiocese filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the judge in the case ordered the release of documents that contain the deposition [PDF] of current Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan who at the time, was Archbishop of Milwaukee. According to the Millwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel, the documents reveal files on 42 clergy offenders over 80 years as well as depositions of other church leaders. Cardinal Dolan has regularly condemned the abuse of minors but these documents indicate that he was complicit in the cover-up of accused priests.

Cardinal Dolan released a statement on his Archdiocese of New York blog saying “I welcome today’s voluntary release of documents by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee” and “I not only welcomed the deposition as a chance to go on-the-record with how we responded to the clergy sexual abuse crisis during my years in Milwaukee, but also encouraged that it be released.”

This is not the first time Cardinal Dolan has come under fire. In June of 2012, documents were released that showed Dolan authorized as much as $20,000 to priests who sexually abused children. Despite the scandals, Dolan lead prayers at both the 2012 Democratic National Convention and the 2012 Republican National Convention.

Media Resources: Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel 7/2/13; Archdiocese of New York 7/1/13; New York Times 7/1/12; Reuters 7/1/13; Feminist Newswire 8/30/12, 6/1/2012, 3/19/2012

Federal Judge Upholds Kansas Anti-Abortion Law

Posted on July 2, 2013August 15, 2014 by Feminist Newswire

US District Judge Kathryn Vratil refused on Sunday to block pieces of a Kansas law restricting abortion access.

via Shutterstock

Under Vratil’s decision, abortion providers must offer the state provided contested information about fetal development, including fetal pain, on their websites. This decision overruled a decision by Kansas Judge Rebecca Crotty that the provision compelling providers to post such information on their websites was a violation of free speech.

The provision was part of a far-reaching law restricting abortion access that Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signed in early April. Provisions in the law include a 24 hour waiting period for women seeking abortions, requiring abortion providers to supply women with a list of abortion alternatives, and restricting abortion providers from receiving tax credits.

The law also includes a statement that life begins at fertilization. The provision establishes an official state opinion that prohibits direct or indirect support of abortion by the state of Kansas. The provision also means if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned, Kansas could argue that abortion is immediately banned in the state based on this law.

The original case was brought by Planned Parenthood on behalf of one of their clinics in Kansas. A second case from two Kansas doctors is currently pending.

Media Resources: Associated Press 6/30/13; Reuters 6/29/13; Feminist Newswire 4/8/2013, 4/2/13

NC House Passes Anti-Abortion Education Bill

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Feminist Newswire

Last week the North Carolina state House of Representatives passed a health education bill requiring middle school students to be taught in sex-ed classes that abortion is a cause of pre-term births in future pregnancies.

The bill, Senate Bill 132 , requires an addition to the current health education program in the form of information on risks for premature births. The bill focuses on teaching children that having an abortion will cause pre-term complications in later pregnancies, though the medical justification behind such a link is debated. Other risk factors have been added as well, including “smoking, alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, and inadequate prenatal care.” The original bill did not include this list of other factors and used the term“cause” instead of “risk” when talking about abortion.

House Democrats have opposed the bill on the grounds that the medical evidence is not conclusive and that the topic may not be appropriate for seventh graders. House Republicans cite the existence of education about other sexual health topics as a counter-argument and point to a study from the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force as justification of the claim.
According to the bill, current health education in North Carolina involves an abstinence-only program and aspiration towards a “mutually faithful monogamous heterosexual relationship in the context of marriage” for all.

The bill was originally passed in the Senate in early May, but must return to the Senate to get final approval before going before the Governor.

Media Resources: Senate Bill 132; Associated Press 6/27/2013; WRAL 6/27/2013; Feminist News 5/9/2013