In the latest attack on women’s global health, officials at the United States State Department Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor will curtail the section on women’s reproductive rights and family planning in the annual report on human rights.
Trump Administration Collaborated with Hate Group to Target Planned Parenthood Says Whistleblower
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) colluded with the national hate group Alliance Defending Freedom to rescind Obama-era Medicaid funding protections for Planned Parenthood and other women’s health centers, according to a letter written by Representative Elijah E. Cummings, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Activists Call for Resignation of Scott Lloyd, Office of Refugee Resettlement Director
Women’s rights activists are calling for the immediate resignation of Trump-appointed Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Director Scott Lloyd, who is abusing his power over pregnant teenagers in his custody by pursuing a policy that systematically denies them access to abortion.
Commemorating the 45th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
Today marks the 45th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling in which the Supreme Court stated that access to abortion is protected under the right to privacy, legalizing abortion across the United States. The right to privacy is protected by the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution.
University of Notre Dame Health Insurance Will No Longer Cover Birth Control
Early this week, the University of Notre Dame announced that beginning in January 2018 the university insurance plan will no longer include birth control coverage for students except in cases where it is being used “for a medical condition and not as pregnancy prevention.”
Whole Woman’s Health Alliance Announces the Opening of Two New Clinics
This week, the Whole Woman’s Health Alliance (WWHA) announced that they will be opening two new clinics, one in Charlottesville, Virginia and the other in South Bend, Indiana. While there was resistance from anti-abortion protesters, this announcement was met with resounding support from a number of women’s health advocates.
Trump Administration Blocking Unaccompanied Minors from Accessing Abortion
On Friday morning, a federal appeals court in Washington DC ordered the Trump administration to find a sponsor for a pregnant 17-year-old undocumented immigrant in federal custody so that she can access an abortion without government facilitation. For weeks, the Trump administration has been desperately trying to obstruct her judicially approved abortion.
Polish Police Raid Women’s Rights Organizations Following Protest on Abortion Rights
Just one day after abortion rights advocates gathered in Poland to oppose changes to the country’s laws, police raided the offices of at least two women’s rights organizations in four cities.
ACLU Sues FDA Over Mifepristone Restrictions
A Hawaiian doctor, with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union, has launched a lawsuit against the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for placing unnecessary restrictions on Mifepristone, also known as Mifeprex, a pill used for medical abortions.
House Passes 20 Week Abortion Ban
On Tuesday the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that criminalizes abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy in all 50 states. Senator Lindsey Graham, with the support of 45 other GOP Senators, has now introduced the bill in the Senate, where it will need 60 votes to pass.
Wins for Abortion Access in Indiana and Kentucky
Last week, two laws that made it more difficult to obtain an abortion in the states of Indiana and Kentucky were struck down in a win for abortion access in the United States.
Commemorating International Safe Abortion Day
The key components of International Safe Abortion Day include advocating for the decriminalization of abortion, reducing the negative stigma surrounding abortions, and ensuring equal access to safe abortions for all individuals. According to a statement from the United Nations regarding International Safe Abortion Day, “Denying women access to necessary health care is inherently discriminatory and a violation of their human rights.”
House to Hold Vote on 20 Week Abortion Ban
On Tuesday, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) announced that a vote on the “Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act” would take place next week.
Repeal of Global Gag Rule Included in Senate FY 2018 Foreign Relations Budget Bill
Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed a 2018 foreign relations budget bill which includes an amendment that would increase funding for family planning worldwide and repeal Trump’s Global Gag Rule which prohibits any non-governmental organization that receives U.S. family planning funding from offering abortion services or referrals. The amendment received bipartisan support, with Senators Collins […]
Anti-Abortion Law in Texas Temporarily Blocked by Federal Judge
Last week, a federal judge handed down the decision to temporarily block a anti-abortion law set to take effect in the state of Texas on September 1. The law, SB 8, would have gone into effect on Friday and banned two types of procedures that are usually used in second trimester abortions. The two types […]
South Carolina Governor Blocks Funding to Abortion Providers
In the latest attack on abortion access, South Carolina joins a long list of states who have attempted to pass legislation or set up obstacles for individuals trying to access abortion services. Last week, South Carolina Governor Henry McMasters signed an executive order that bans funding of any non-profit organization or practitioner that offers abortion […]
New Poll Shows Strong Public Support for Abortion
The Center for Reproductive Rights has released the results of a new poll that shows 61 percent of adults in the United States support the federal government passing legislation to protect women’s access to abortion and prevent state’s from passing laws meant to restrict that access, known as TRAP laws.
Oregon Passes Reproductive Health Equity Bill
Last week, amidst the rise of anti-abortion state legislation, Oregon became the first state to pass legislation to solidify and ensure equal access to abortion and birth control for all state residents.
Texas Passes Bill to Restrict Abortion Access with New Insurance Mandates
The bill bans all private health insurance plans and plans sold through the Affordable Care Act marketplace from covering abortion care unless the life of the woman is directly at risk. Instead, women would be required to buy supplemental insurance should they ever think they may need or want an abortion, prompting some Democratic lawmakers to accuse Republicans of forcing women to buy “rape insurance.”
Hearing Begins in Case of Anti-Abortion Group Versus Virginia
The Feminist Majority Foundation and other members of the reproductive healthcare community were in front of the Henrico County Circuit Court to show support for the Board of Health’s decision and solidarity with the women of Virginia.