Last Friday, a three-judge panel of the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments to determine the constitutionality of ordinances in Baltimore and Montgomery County, Maryland requiring crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) to post signs indicating what types of services they provide. The signs must state whether the CPCs provide abortion and contraceptive services, as […]
In Philadelphia, opening statements are scheduled to be delivered today in the case of Monsignor William Lynn, who has been charged with two counts of “endangering the welfare of a child.” This is the first time a high-ranking official in the Roman Catholic Church is facing sexual abuse charges in the US for the failure […]
Today marks the first of three days that the Supreme Court will hear arguments concerning whether the mandated minimum coverage provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), which requires that a person purchase minimum health coverage or face a modest monetary penalty beginning in 2014, is constitutional under the Commerce clause of […]
Today marks the second anniversary of the enactment of the Affordable Care Act. According to government data released in September, since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act allowed those under age 26 to remain on their parents’ health insurance plans, almost 1 million people ages 19-25 have gained access to health insurance. Since the […]
Following much controversy regarding the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s partnership with Planned Parenthood, five executives from the Komen Foundation have resigned. Dara Richardson-Heron, CEO of the Greater New York City Komen affiliate, Katrina McGhee, Komen’s Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Nancy Macgregor, Vice President of Global Networks, Joanna Newcomb, Director of Affiliate Strategy […]
On Tuesday, Utah Governor Gary Herbert (R) signed a bill requiring that women undergo a 72 hour waiting period before having an abortion. Once the law goes into effect on May 7, Utah will have the longest waiting period in the country. Currently, Utah law requires a 24 hour waiting period. Marina Lowe, an attorney […]
On Monday, Arizona state Senate President Steve Pierce (R) announced that he is removing a bill from the Senate committee agenda that would give employers the right to refuse coverage for contraception under their insurance. Senator Pierce indicated that he removed the bill from the agenda due to public opposition and statements from Governor Jan […]
Yesterday the New Hampshire Republican-controlled House voted 211 to 116 against a bill that would have repealed the marriage equality law in the state. Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, stated, “This is a wonderful victory for New Hampshire, which again took a stand for families. The House was […]
A press conference was held today to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Congress’s passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). A panel discussion, sponsored by the National council of Women’s Organizations (NCWO), the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum, and the Alice Paul Institute, followed the press conference and featured Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Representatives, Carolyn Maloney […]
Late last week, Republican Governor Gary Herbert (UT) vetoed a bill that would have mandated that public schools teach only abstinence only education, prohibiting the teaching of comprehensive sex education. The bill would have also banned teachers from discussing contraceptives or premarital sex in their classrooms. Governor Herbert indicated that while he believes abstinence should […]
Yesterday Tammy Duckworth won the Democratic Congressional primary in the Illinois 8th district. Duckworth defeated Raja Krishnamoorthi with 67 percent of the vote and will now face freshman Republican Representative Joe Walsh in November. Duckworth, who lost both of her legs during a helicopter crash while serving in Iraq, stated, “We are on our way […]
In New Hampshire, a bill requiring that women undergo a 24-hour waiting period and be given “informational materials” about the medical risks of having an abortion, alternatives to the procedure, and the fetus’ gestational age before having an abortion will return to House committee. Those found in violation of the law could be charged with […]
Yesterday the Idaho Senate voted 23 to 12 to pass Senate Bill 1387, which would require women seeking an abortion to first undergo an ultrasound. The bill will now go to the Idaho House of Representatives and is expected to pass. Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter (R) has not yet indicated whether he will sign the […]
By Cindy Pearson, co-founder of Raising Women’s Voices for the Health Care We Need For the tenth #HERvotes blog carnival, we’re celebrating the second anniversary of the new health-reform law, the Affordable Care Act, or ACA. Why are women so excited about the ACA? Well, for a start, the law has already started removing barriers […]
by Tara Mancini, co-chair of WIN’s Women’s Health Policy Network I think it is no coincidence that the 2nd anniversary of the ACA coincides with the celebration of Women’s History Month. Women have made numerous contributions to society that throughout the ages have received little attention, much like the important protections afforded to women through […]
In New Hampshire, a bill requiring that women undergo a 24-hour waiting period and be given “informational materials” about the medical risks of having an abortion, alternatives to the procedure, and the fetus’ gestational age before having an abortion will return to House committee. Those found in violation of the law could be charged with […]
A study published by the Guttmacher Institute found that 55 percent of reproductive-age women in the United States reside in states that are “hostile” to women’s rights to have an abortion. This is an increase from the 31 percent found in a 2000 student. Rachel Benson Gold, “In 2000, the country was more evenly divided: […]
The Defense of Life Act, which would require the Tennessee Department of Health to publish the names of doctors who perform abortions and demographic information about women who have the procedure online, is scheduled to be introduced in the Tennessee House Health and Human Resources Committee this week. The bill would also require that doctors […]
Reuter’s recent review of the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s internal documents reveals a close and complicated relationship between the US Catholic Church and the Komen Foundation, which both receives funding from the Catholic Church and has allocated over $17.6 million to US Catholic universities, hospitals, and charities. Reuters reports that such intense financial pressure from […]
Reuter’s recent review of the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s internal documents reveals a close and complicated relationship between the US Catholic Church and the Komen Foundation, which both receives funding from the Catholic Church and has allocated over $17.6 million to US Catholic universities, hospitals, and charities. Reuters reports that such intense financial pressure from […]
