Cities and states across the United States are dealing with the legal fallout from the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Massachusetts’ 35-foot abortion clinic buffer zone in McCullen v. Coakley in June.
Federal Court Rules Alabama TRAP Law Unconstitutional
Federal US District Court Judge Myron Thompson ruled yesterday that an Alabama law requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges is unconstitutional.
Massachusetts Enacts New Law to Protect Access to Reproductive Health Facilities
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law yesterday a bill to help protect access to reproductive health care facilities in the state.
Fifth Circuit Court Rules In Favor Of Mississippi’s Last Clinic
Mississippi’s last remaining abortion clinic will remain open after a the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld a preliminary injunction against HB 1390, the Mississippi TRAP law requiring abortion providers to obtain admitting privileges at area hospitals.
Three Anti-Abortion Extremists Sentenced In Mississippi
Three of four anti-abortion extremists were found guilty for activities carried out during protests against the state’s last-standing abortion clinic.
Study Proves Texas Laws Have Significantly Reduced Access to Abortion
The Texas Policy Evaluation Project (TxPEP) released a study in the medical journal Contraception finding that access to abortion has been significantly reduced since the state enacted it omnibus anti-abortion law HB2.
WATCH: Rachel Maddow Talks Anti-Choice Extremism with FMF’s National Clinic Access Project Director
Our NCAP Director talked about what’s happening in New Orleans and across the country in the wake of McCullen v. Coakley.
Campaign Against Colorado Personhood Initiative Launches
Women’s rights organizations, medical groups, and religious leaders joined several activists yesterday at a rally on the steps of the Colorado state capitol to launch a campaign against a new personhood initiative on the state’s November ballot.
Louisiana’s Pro-Choice Community Stands Up Against Operation Rescue
“It’s an encroachment on my right as a neighbor.”
Law Limiting Abortion Access Under Medicaid in Alaska Temporarily Blocked
An Alaska state court judge this week temporarily blocked a law that created a narrow definition for when abortions were “medically necessary” and therefore covered under Alaska Medicaid.
Massachusetts Lawmakers Work to Restore Protections for Abortion Clinics Following McCullen
The state of Massachusetts is expected to soon push legislation providing greater protections to reproductive health clinics following the Supreme Court’s ruling in McCullen v. Coakley.
Georgia Law Banning Insurance Coverage of Abortion Goes Into Effect
These health insurance policies can now only cover abortion “in the case of medical emergency,” but not in cases of incest or rape.
Missouri Governor Vetoes 72-Hour Abortion Waiting Period
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon last week vetoed a 3-day waiting period for abortions and issued a fiery response to state lawmakers who signed off on the measure. Now, the Republican-led legislature is threatening to override when Missouri’s state session resumes next term.
Restrictive Abortion Laws Take Effect in Mississippi and Florida
Mississippi law now bans abortion 20 weeks after a woman’s last menstrual period, and a new Florida law went into effect banning abortion at any point in the pregnancy once a fetus is deemed viable unless two doctors certify in writing that it is necessary to protect the health and life of the woman.
New York Women’s Equality Act Stalled For A Second Time
Although the State Senate passed nine planks of the WEA as separate bills, the full act ultimately did not move forward because Senate Republicans opposed a provision that would codify Roe v. Wade.
The Supreme Court Just Ignored the Reality of Clinic Violence
Portraying buffer zone laws as a response to “clashes” of political opinion overlooks the harrowing history behind McCullen and the much larger trend of violence against abortion providers and patients that it represents.
Help Us Protect Clinics!
After today’s SCOTUS ruling, the work of our National Clinic Access Project to defend abortion clinics and providers as well as women seeking health care became exponentially more difficult.
House Committee Approves Extending Abortion Coverage to Peace Corps Volunteers
Unlike other employees with federal health care plans – including Peace Corps employees – Peace Corps volunteers currently do not have access to abortion coverage even in cases of rape, incest, or endangered health or life.
Michigan Democrats Aim to Repeal Law Requiring Separate Insurance Coverage of Abortion
Two Michigan lawmakers introduced state legislation to repeal a Michigan law that forces women to buy additional health insurance coverage for abortion, even in cases of rape or when a women’s health is endangered.
Anti-Choice Group May Challenge Law Prohibiting False Political Speech
The US Supreme Court ruled yesterday that anti-choice group Susan B. Anthony List (SBA) could challenge an Ohio state law prohibiting “false statements” in political campaign speech.