On June 10, the Thomas More Society (TMS) filed a lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Insurance claiming that the Illinois Reproductive Health Act is unconstitutional and violates the religious liberties of its clients. TMS argues that the law requiring employers to provide insurance that covers abortions violates the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act and […]
Trump Expands Global Gag Rule, Further Restricting Abortion Access Worldwide
In a press conference on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the expansion of the Global Gag Rule, also known as the “Mexico City Policy,” which prohibit U.S. funding for foreign aid groups and health organizations that provide or refer patients to abortion, even if they do so with separate non-U.S. resources. Although […]
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.
Senate Republicans Crafting Healthcare Bill in Secret
Republican leaders continue to keep the bill writing process for the Senate’s version of the American Health Care Act, also known as Trumpcare, behind closed doors. It is unclear when the bill will be released to the public.
Women’s Health Protection Act Introduced in Congress
The bill seeks to enforce the decision from the 2016 Supreme Court case Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, in which two provisions of a Texas law requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at a local hospital were ruled an unconstitutional undue burden on women seeking an abortion.
GOP Healthcare Bill Fails, But Could Be Reintroduced
Last week the Republicans in Congress abandoned their plan to vote on the American Health Care Act (AHCA) for fear that they would not have enough votes within their own party for it to pass.
Congressional Budget Office Releases Analysis of ACA Repeal
By 2026, 52 million Americans would be without health insurance, an additional 24 million than the CBO projected would have coverage if the Affordable Care Act were to stay.
56 People of Color Testify Against Abortion Ban Built on Racist and Sexist Stereotypes
Declaring, “we will not sit silently while we are exploited for the passage of yet another abortion restriction,” 56 people of color submitted written testimony to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice in opposition to the so-called Prenatal Discrimination Act (PRENDA).
Federal Court Permanently Strikes Down Alabama TRAP Law
In a decision issued three weeks after the Supreme Court heard oral arguments against a similar Texas TRAP law, a federal judge on Friday permanently blocked a provision in an Alabama law that would close almost all of the state’s abortion clinics by unnecessarily requiring providers to have admitting privileges at local hospitals.
Senate ‘Vote-A-Rama’ Passes Amendments for Equal Pay, Pregnant Workers, Paid Leave, Benefits for Same-Sex Couples
A bipartisan majority of Senators this week voted in favor of budget amendments that show growing momentum for paid sick leave for employees, social security and veterans benefits for same-sex couples, equal pay, and fair treatment for pregnant workers.
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 […]
CVS Will Refund 11,000 Customers Illegally Charged for Birth Control
Congresswoman Jackie Speier alerted the chain that they were acting in violation of the Affordable Care Act earlier this month. Now, CVS has promised to issue refunds by October 1.
US Appeals Court Blocks Attempt to Defund Obamacare
The United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit has agreed to rehear a case that could protect much-needed subsidies for up to 5 million consumers under the Affordable Care Act.
California Reverses Decision Allowing Catholic Colleges to Refuse to Cover Abortion
The state of California had previously allowed insurance companies on two campuses to deny abortion coverage. On Friday, Governor Jerry Brown’s Department of Managed Health Care reversed that decision.
Reproductive Justice Activists Testify Before UN About Health Care Discrimination
A joint study by three major women’s health advocacy groups calls attention to the overwhelming disparity in health outcomes for women of color in the United States. The results of the study are now under the consideration of the United Nations.
Low-Income Transgender Residents in Oregon to Gain Access to Government-Funded Care
As of 2015, low-income transgender residents of Oregon will have access to gender reassignment surgery and hormone therapy if they want it.
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.
Young Americans Healthier Under Affordable Care Act
Young adults are now 7.2 percent more likely to have health insurance, 6.2 percent more likely to report “excellent physical health” and 4 percent more likely to say they are in “excellent mental health.”
Medicare Ban on Transition-Related Transgender Health Coverage Lifted
The United States Department of Health and Human Services Departmental Appeals Board ruled on Friday that transgender people can no longer be automatically denied Medicare coverage for surgery as part of their transition-related health care.
More than 7 Million People Enrolled in Healthcare Through Affordable Care Act
Despite false advertising about the ACA, numerous Republican attempts to dismantle the law, and problems with the rollout of the Healthcare.gov site, millions of Americans will now access quality, affordable health insurance.
