Victory! Birth Control without co-pays or deductibles!
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and the Obama
Administration decided not to broaden the religious exemption for
contraceptive coverage under the Preventive Care package of the
Affordable Care Act. This request, primarily by the National Conference
of Catholic Bishops, would have denied millions of American women
contraceptive coverage, including students, teachers, nurses, social
workers, and other staff (and their families) at religiously-connected
or associated schools, universities, and hospitals, as well as
institutions, such as Catholic Charities. Please take a moment to thank
Secretary Sebelius and President Obama for this decision in support of
women's health.
2/24/2012 - Sandra Fluke Testifies at House Democratic Steering Committee Hearing
Yesterday, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and the House Democratic Steering Committee held a hearing concerning the religious exemption on contraception coverage and women's health, inviting Sandra Fluke, a student at Georgetown Law School as the sole witness. Leader Pelosi called the hearing in response to the refusal of Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, to allow Fluke to testify at last week's hearing "Lines Crossed: Separation of Church and State. Has the Obama Administration Trampled on Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Conscience?"In an unusual move, Chairman Issa did not allow the Democratic minority to have a single witness at last week's hearing, allowing testimony only from those opposed to the Obama Administration's decision on women's contraception to testify. The hearing's primary panel did not include a single woman, prompting Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) to ask "Where are the Women?"
At the hearing yesterday, Fluke spoke out for the importance of the Obama Administration's rule to ensure that Catholic students have access to contraceptive coverage under the preventive care package of the Affordable Care Act. The coverage would come from private insurance companies without any funding from religious institutions. In her testimony, Fluke stated, "I attend a Jesuit law school that does not provide contraception coverage in its student health plan. Just as we students have faced financial, emotional, and medical burdens as a result, employees at religiously affiliated hospitals and universities across the country have suffered similar burdens. We are all grateful for the new regulation that will meet the critical health care needs of so many women...We refuse to pick between a quality education and our health, and we resent that, in the 21st century, anyone thinks it's acceptable to ask us to make this choice simply because we are women."
Feminist News
The daily feminist perspective on U.S., global and campus news stories, since 1995.2/24/2012 - TX Law to Deny Healthcare to Thousands of Women
Yesterday the Texas Department of Health and Human Services announced that it will begin enforcing a law in mid-March prohibiting doctors and clinics affiliated with organizations that provide abortion services from receiving state Medicaid funding....
2/6/2012 - Karen Handel Involved in Komen's PPFA Decision
The Huffington Post reports that Karen Handel, vice president of the Susan G....
2/3/2012 - Komen To Continue Grants To Planned Parenthood
The Susan G....
2/2/2012 - Komen Foundation to Stop Grants to PPFA
Yesterday the Susan G....
2/1/2012 - Komen Foundation to End Partnership with PPFA
The Susan G....
1/31/2012 - Women's Rights Groups Launch Campaign to Save Birth Control from Catholic Bishops
Beginning today, women's rights groups - including the Feminist Majority Foundation, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the National Organization for Women (NOW), the National Council of Jewish Women, and others - have launched a campaign and blog carnival to support the Obama Administration's decision to maintain full contraceptive coverage under the Preventive Care package of the Affordable Care Act....
1/26/2012 - IN Senate Committee Votes to Restrict Medical Abortion Pill
Yesterday, the Indiana Senate health committee voted 5 to 4 to further restrict women's access to RU-486, or the abortion pill....
1/20/2012 - Feminist Majority Applauds HHS for Rejecting Religious Exemption for Contraceptive Coverage
Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services announced today the Obama Administration will not broaden the religious exemption for contraceptive coverage under the Preventive Care package of the Affordable Care Act....
1/20/2012 - Statement of Eleanor Smeal On the Decision of Kathleen Sebelius and the Obama Administration Not to Broaden the Religious Exemption for Contraceptive Coverage
The Feminist Majority Foundation applauds the decision of Kathleen Sebelius, Health and Human Services Secretary, and the Obama Administration not to broaden the religious exemption for contraceptive coverage under the Preventive Care package of the Affordable Care Act....
1/13/2012 - State Ballot Initiative and Referendum Roundup
In Florida and Montana anti-abortion initiatives or referendum will appear on state ballots in 2012....
1/11/2012 - Federal Judge Permits CPC's to Intervene in Abortion Lawsuit
US District Court Judge Karen Scheier ruled to allow two South Dakota crisis pregnancy centers, the Alpha Center and the Black Hills Crisis Pregnancy Center, to intervene in a case regarding a state law requiring that women undergo a 72 hour waiting period and mandatory counseling from a crisis pregnancy center (CPC) before obtaining an abortion....
1/9/2012 - Contraception Addressed in NH Debate
Although Rick Santorum has been under fire for his statements opposing contraception... 1/9/2012 - Wisconsin to End PPWI's Contract for Preventive Services
Last week, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary Dennis Smith announced that it will no longer contract with Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI) as a part of the Wisconsin Well Woman Program in four counties....
1/6/2012 - FBI Director Approves of New Rape Definition
Today the White House announced that FBI Director Robert Mueller has approved the change recommended by several committees of the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Service.
1/6/2012 - Feminist Majority Foundation Celebrates FBI Approval of New Rape Definition - FBI Director's Action Follows Extensive Campaign By Women's Rights Supporters
1/3/2012 - VA Governor Approves Strict Regulations on Abortion Providers
Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell has signed new regulations on first-trimester abortion clinics requiring architectural renovations to change clinics into hospitals and change government oversight....
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12/22/2011 - PA Governor Expected to sign Anti-Abortion Law
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett (R) is expected to sign a bill that will require clinics that perform abortions meet the same regulations of surgical centers....
12/20/2011 - WI to End PPWI's Contract for Preventive Services
Governor Scott Walker's administration recently announced that it
will no longer contract with Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI)...
Planned Parenthood of Arizona (PPAZ) announced that it will continue offering abortion services at two clinics near Phoenix.
12/8/2011 - ACLU Will Sue if OH Anti-Abortion Bills Passed
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Ohio has indicated that it will sue if two anti-abortion bills, both of which have passed the state House, become law: a fetal heart beat bill, which would ban abortions after the fetal heartbeat is detected, and another bill that would prohibit Ohio residents from purchasing health insurance that covers abortion. Gary Daniels, associate director of ACLU Ohio, stated that he believes both bills are unconstitutional....
11/22/2011 - Virginia Delegate Introduces Personhood Amendment
On Monday, Virginia state Delegate Bob Marshall (R-Prince William County) filed a "personhood" bill, which states that life begins at conception and proposes to give constitutional rights to a fertilized egg....
11/9/2011 - Women's Right Advocates Victorious in Defeating Mississippi Personhood Amendment
In an exciting and important victory for women's rights advocates, Mississippi voters defeated the Personhood Amendment....
10/26/2011 - Federal Judge Blocks Provision of NC Abortion Law
US District Court Judge Catherine Eagles issued a preliminary injunction yesterday against a provision in a North Carolina abortion law that would require abortion providers to perform an ultrasound at least four hours prior to an abortion....
10/25/2011 - Study Finds NC CPCs Lack Transparency
Following a nine month investigation of crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) in North Carolina, NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina found that the centers provided clients with incorrect information about abortions....
10/21/2011 - San Francisco Board of Supervisors Votes for Greater Transparency for CPCs
On Tuesday, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 10-1 to approve a city ordinance that would prevent crisis pregnancy centers from spreading false or misleading advertisements about their facilities.... 10/14/2011 - US House Passes the "Let Her Die" Bill
Yesterday, the US House of Representatives passed the "Let Her Die" bill, sponsored by Representative Joe Pitts (R-PA) and supported by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA)....
10/13/2011 - US House to Vote on Protect Life Act Today
Continuing its preoccupation with voting to restrict family planning and abortion rights, the US House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on HR 358, the "Protect Life Act," sponsored by Representative Joe Pitts (R-PA), today....
10/12/2011 - Federal Court Judge Allows Clinic to Join Kansas Lawsuit
Yesterday US District Court Judge Thomas Marten ruled that the Dodge City Family Planning Clinic was permitted to join a lawsuit, filed by Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri (PPKM), challenging a Kansas law that prevents both organizations from receiving Title X family planning....
9/28/2011 - Hundreds Rally Against Pennsylvania Abortion Bill
Hundreds Of People packed the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Wednesday morning to call for the defeat of two bills that will restrict abortion access in Pennsylvania....
9/21/2011 - Governor Perry's Cuts Reduce TX Women's Access to Family Planning
In the past year, Republican Governor Rick Perry and the Texas Legislature cut family planning funding by 66 percent, which amounts to $74 million....
9/21/2011 - Abortion-Rights Supports Protest OH Fetal Heartbeat Bill
Supporters of abortion-rights and anti-abortion rights gathered at the Ohio Statehouse yesterday concerning a bill that, if passed, would ban abortions after the fetal heartbeat is detected....
9/19/2011 - Virginia Adopts Strictest Regulations on Abortion Providers in Nation
The Virginia Board of Health voted Thursday 12-1 to adopt unnecessary and punitive regulations of first-trimester abortion clinics requiring architectural renovations to change clinics into hospitals and change
12/8/2011 - ACLU Will Sue if OH Anti-Abortion Bills Passed
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Ohio has indicated that it will sue if two anti-abortion bills, both of which have passed the state House, become law: a fetal heart beat bill, which would ban abortions after the fetal heartbeat is detected, and another bill that would prohibit Ohio residents from purchasing health insurance that covers abortion. Gary Daniels, associate director of ACLU Ohio, stated that he believes both bills are unconstitutional....
11/22/2011 - Virginia Delegate Introduces Personhood Amendment
On Monday, Virginia state Delegate Bob Marshall (R-Prince William County) filed a "personhood" bill, which states that life begins at conception and proposes to give constitutional rights to a fertilized egg....
11/9/2011 - Women's Right Advocates Victorious in Defeating Mississippi Personhood Amendment
In an exciting and important victory for women's rights advocates, Mississippi voters defeated the Personhood Amendment....
10/26/2011 - Federal Judge Blocks Provision of NC Abortion Law
US District Court Judge Catherine Eagles issued a preliminary injunction yesterday against a provision in a North Carolina abortion law that would require abortion providers to perform an ultrasound at least four hours prior to an abortion....
10/25/2011 - Study Finds NC CPCs Lack Transparency
Following a nine month investigation of crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) in North Carolina, NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina found that the centers provided clients with incorrect information about abortions....
10/21/2011 - San Francisco Board of Supervisors Votes for Greater Transparency for CPCs
On Tuesday, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 10-1 to approve a city ordinance that would prevent crisis pregnancy centers from spreading false or misleading advertisements about their facilities.... 10/14/2011 - US House Passes the "Let Her Die" Bill
Yesterday, the US House of Representatives passed the "Let Her Die" bill, sponsored by Representative Joe Pitts (R-PA) and supported by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA)....
10/13/2011 - US House to Vote on Protect Life Act Today
Continuing its preoccupation with voting to restrict family planning and abortion rights, the US House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on HR 358, the "Protect Life Act," sponsored by Representative Joe Pitts (R-PA), today....
10/12/2011 - Federal Court Judge Allows Clinic to Join Kansas Lawsuit
Yesterday US District Court Judge Thomas Marten ruled that the Dodge City Family Planning Clinic was permitted to join a lawsuit, filed by Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri (PPKM), challenging a Kansas law that prevents both organizations from receiving Title X family planning....
9/28/2011 - Hundreds Rally Against Pennsylvania Abortion Bill
Hundreds Of People packed the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Wednesday morning to call for the defeat of two bills that will restrict abortion access in Pennsylvania....
9/21/2011 - Governor Perry's Cuts Reduce TX Women's Access to Family Planning
In the past year, Republican Governor Rick Perry and the Texas Legislature cut family planning funding by 66 percent, which amounts to $74 million....
9/21/2011 - Abortion-Rights Supports Protest OH Fetal Heartbeat Bill
Supporters of abortion-rights and anti-abortion rights gathered at the Ohio Statehouse yesterday concerning a bill that, if passed, would ban abortions after the fetal heartbeat is detected....
9/19/2011 - Virginia Adopts Strictest Regulations on Abortion Providers in Nation
The Virginia Board of Health voted Thursday 12-1 to adopt unnecessary and punitive regulations of first-trimester abortion clinics requiring architectural renovations to change clinics into hospitals and change
9/9/2011 - ACLU sues over Anti-choice License Plates in NC
On Thursday, the North Carolina chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU-NCLF) filed a lawsuit in the federal district court for the Eastern District of North Carolina against the state over the production of new anti-abortion license plates that read "Choose Life." The ACLU argues that the production of these plates is "unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination" and in direct violation of the First Amendment. According to the ACLU, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a bill approving production of "Choose Life" license plates but would not pass any of the six proposed amendments to create a plate supporting abortion rights, such as the "Trust Women....
9/8/2011 - Plaintiffs in KS Abortion Suit Seek Lesser Clinic Regulations
In Kansas, Dr. Herbert Hodes, and his daughter, Dr. Traci Nauser, who sought an injunction in July in an effort to keep their medical practice open....
9/5/2011 - Appeals Court Rules Women Have Existing Relationship with Fetus
On Friday, the 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals overturned US District Judge Karen Schreier's ruling to block a provision in a South Dakota law requiring that doctors tell women seeking abortions that they have "an existing relationship with that unborn human being and that the relationship enjoys protection under the United States Constitution and under the laws of South Dakota." Judge Schreier struck down the provision two years ago stating that a relationship can only exist between two people and according to the US Supreme Court, fetuses are not legally people....
9/1/2011 - Federal Judge Restores Funding for KS Planned Parenthood
On Tuesday, US District Court Judge Thomas Marten ordered the state to resume federal funding for Planned Parenthood...
On Thursday, the North Carolina chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU-NCLF) filed a lawsuit in the federal district court for the Eastern District of North Carolina against the state over the production of new anti-abortion license plates that read "Choose Life." The ACLU argues that the production of these plates is "unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination" and in direct violation of the First Amendment. According to the ACLU, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a bill approving production of "Choose Life" license plates but would not pass any of the six proposed amendments to create a plate supporting abortion rights, such as the "Trust Women....
9/8/2011 - Plaintiffs in KS Abortion Suit Seek Lesser Clinic Regulations
In Kansas, Dr. Herbert Hodes, and his daughter, Dr. Traci Nauser, who sought an injunction in July in an effort to keep their medical practice open....
9/5/2011 - Appeals Court Rules Women Have Existing Relationship with Fetus
On Friday, the 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals overturned US District Judge Karen Schreier's ruling to block a provision in a South Dakota law requiring that doctors tell women seeking abortions that they have "an existing relationship with that unborn human being and that the relationship enjoys protection under the United States Constitution and under the laws of South Dakota." Judge Schreier struck down the provision two years ago stating that a relationship can only exist between two people and according to the US Supreme Court, fetuses are not legally people....
9/1/2011 - Federal Judge Restores Funding for KS Planned Parenthood
On Tuesday, US District Court Judge Thomas Marten ordered the state to resume federal funding for Planned Parenthood...
US District Judge Sam Sparks blocked a provision of a Texas anti-abortion law requiring that doctors describe
The Virginia Department of Health will post draft regulations for abortion clinics by 5pm this evening....
8/25/2011 - Coalition of Women's Groups Launches HERvotes
At an audio news conference yesterday afternoon, a coalition of some 20 women's organizations announced a new effort...
The Guttmacher Institute
released a new study indicating that while the overall rate of
unintended in the US pregnancies has remained steady since 1994...
8/18/2011 - ACLU Files Lawsuit Against KS Anti-Abortion Law
On Tuesday, the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and Western Missouri (ACLU) filed a lawsuit in the US
8/4/2011 - Federal Court's Block on KS Anti- Abortion Law Challenged
On Monday, the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists filed an appeal on US District Court Judge Carlos Murguia's decision to block the enforcement of a new Kansas anti-abortion law until the pending lawsuit is decided....
8/1/2011 - Summer Celebration of Choice Kicks Off at Carhart Clinic
On Sunday, nearly 200 abortion rights activists gathered at the Reproductive Health Services in Germantown, MD to kick off the Summer Celebration of Choice week in support of abortion provider Dr....
7/14/2011 - Judge Blocks Effort to Expose Fake Health Clinics
A law designed to expose fake crisis pregnancy clinics has been put on hold in New York City....
7/6/2011 - US District Court Judge Blocks KS Anti-Abortion Law
US District Court Judge Carlos Murguia blocked a law that would have shut down all but one abortion provider, Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri, in the state....
7/5/2011 - Federal Judge Blocks SD Anti-Abortion Law
US District Court Judge Karen Schreier blocked a law in South Dakota requiring that women undergo a 72 hour waiting period and mandatory counseling from a crisis pregnancy center (CPC) before obtaining an abortion....
6/29/2011 - OH House Launches Attack on Women's Reproductive Rights
Yesterday, the Ohio Republican-controlled House of Representatives approved three extreme anti-abortion bills in what women's reproductive rights advocates are calling "anti-women's day" in Ohio....
6/8/2011 - OH Budget, with Anti-Abortion Amendments, Passes Senate Committee
Yesterday, the Ohio Senate Finance Committee voted for a two-year state budget after attaching two anti-abortion amendments to it....
6/7/2011 - San Francisco Supervisor Pushes for Greater Transparency for CPCs
San Francisco City Supervisor Malia Cohen is currently working with NARAL Pro-Choice California on legislation that would require that crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) to display signs indicating whether they offer comprehensive reproductive health services, including abortions and contraception, and whether a licensed medical professional is on staff. Cohen stated, "Legislation is a priority because there are clinics using misleading advertising tactics....
5/30/2011 - PPFA and ACLU File Lawsuit Against SD Anti-Abortion Law
Attorneys from Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court in Sioux Falls against a new South Dakota law requiring that women undergo a 72 hour waiting period and mandatory counseling from a crisis pregnancy center (CPC) before obtaining an abortion....
5/3/2011 - Ms. Magazine Wins Prestigious Maggie Award
On Friday night, Ms. magazine was awarded the Maggie Award for Best Feature Article/Consumer from the Western Publishing Association, which represents the publishing industry west of the Mississippi River....
4/28/2011 - Florida House Passes Six New Anti-Abortion Bills
The Florida Legislature passed six abortion-restricting bills on Wednesday after facing 18 bills, many of which are the most extreme anti-abortion legislation in the nation. One bill passed will require women to both undergo and pay for an ultrasound before having an abortion....
4/19/2011 - Georgia Session Ends Without Anti-Abortion Legislation
Last Thursday marked the end of the annual forty-day legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly....
4/11/2011 - Anti-Abortion Supporters Push to Restrict Insurance Coverage
Anti-abortion forces in 28 states are pressuring state lawmakers to pass legislation restricting private health insurance plans from covering abortion services....
3/24/2011 - SD Anti-Abortion Law Requires 3 Day Waiting Period
South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard (R) signed an extreme anti-abortion bill into law Tuesday requiring that women undergo a 72 hour waiting period and mandatory counseling from a crisis pregnancy center (CPC) before obtaining an abortion....
3/17/2011 - IL Agriculture Committee Votes to Restrict Abortion Access
On Tuesday, the Illinois Agriculture Committee voted 13-0 to approve a bill requiring abortion clinics to be retrofitted to comply with the standards for outpatient surgery centers....
3/16/2011 - Lawsuit Possible if SD Governor Signs Anti-Abortion Bill
Planned Parenthood announced that it would file a lawsuit against South Dakota if Governor Dennis Daugaard (R) signs an anti-abortion bill that would impose a 72 hour waiting period on women seeking abortions....
3/15/2011 - McDonnell Appointees to be a Majority on VA Board of Health
A Virginia law requiring clinics that perform first trimester abortions to meet Board of Health regulations on hospitals will become effective just as Republican Governor Bob McDonnell's six appointees assume positions on the 15 member board....
3/3/2011 - NYC Council Passes Bill for Greater Transparency for CPCs
Yesterday the New York City Council voted 39 to 9, with one abstention, to pass a bill that would require crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) to disclose whether they provide emergency contraception and abortion services and whether they have a licensed medical practitioner on site....
2/18/2011 - South Dakota "Justifiable Homicide" Bill Struck Down in House
The South Dakota anti-abortion bill (HR 1171) that would have altered the definition of "justifiable homicide" to include killings aimed to prevent harm to an unborn child failed yesterday in the state's House by an overwhelming vote of 61-4....
2/16/2011 - IA House Subcommittee Passes Anti-Abortion Bill
On Monday, a subcommittee of the Iowa House Human Resources Committee passed an extreme anti-abortion bill (HF 153), introduced by Representative Kim Pearson (R-Pleasant Hill), that would ban abortions in Iowa even in cases of rape and incest....
2/15/2011 - SD "Justifiable Homicide" Bill Could Endanger Abortion Providers
In South Dakota, an extreme anti-abortion bill (HR 1171) that would alter the definition of "justifiable homicide" to include killings aimed to prevent harm to an unborn child passed out of the state's House Judiciary Committee by a vote of nine to three....
2/8/2011 - Proposed GA Bill to Refer to Rape Victims as Accusers
Representative Bobby Franklin (R-Marietta) introduced a bill that would change the language of state criminal codes to refer to those who file charges for rape, stalking, and domestic violence as accusers, not victims, until there has been a conviction....
2/4/2011 - "Forcible Rape" Clause Removed from Chris Smith Bill
Following an outcry from women's rights groups and others, House Republicans have removed the "forcible" to describe the rape exception in H.R....
2/2/2011 - Anti-Abortion Rights Groups Seeks to Discredit Planned Parenthood
Live Action, an anti-abortion rights group, is distributing an edited undercover video that appears to show an employee at a Planned Parenthood clinic in New Jersey advising paid actors posing as a pimp and a prostitute on where they can obtain abortion services for girls under the age of 14 and illegal immigrants.... 2/1/2011 - Ordinance Requiring CPCs To Disclose Services Ruled Unconstitutional
United States District Court Judge Marvin Garbis ruled yesterday that a Baltimore ordinance requiring that "limited-service pregnancy centers" display signs in both English and Spanish indicating that they do not provide or make referrals for abortions or comprehensive birth control services was unconstitutional....
1/31/2011 - Anti-Abortion Forces Increase in the States
The fight against abortion has been heating up in the states since the 2010 elections....
1/25/2011 - Anti-Abortion Supporters Gather for March for Life
Tens of thousands anti-abortion rights supporters gathered yesterday on the National Mall and marched to the Supreme Court for the annual March for Life to commemorate the 38th anniversary of Roe v....
1/24/2011 - 38th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
Roman Catholic priests and anti-abortion rights advocates gathered this morning for a Mass at the Verizon Center in Washington DC before participating in the annual March for Life....
1/14/2011 - Planned Parenthood's Use of Telemedicine Permitted
Medical regulators for the state of Iowa announced yesterday that they will not punish a Planned Parenthood doctor for prescribing mifepristone, also known as RU-486 or the abortion pill, remotely through telemedicine....
1/7/2011 - Women's Rights Activists Protest Anti-Abortion Press Conference
Yesterday the New York chapter of the National Organization for Women protested an anti-abortion press conference, held by New York City clergy....
1/6/2011 - Boehner Announces Anti-Abortion Agenda
John Boehner (R-OH), an opponent to women's reproductive rights, was sworn in as the House Speaker yesterday....
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12/13/2010 - Pitts to Chair Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health
Last week, Representative Joe Pitts (R-PA) was selected to chair the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, which oversees private health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health....
1/8/2010 - North Carolina Anti-Abortion Leader Tried for WANTED Posters
Flip Benham of Operation Rescue/Operation Save America, goes to trial today for stalking and distributing WANTED posters with the names, pictures, and home and office addresses North Carolina abortion doctors....
11/8/2010 - Pope Benedict Denounces Abortion, Gay Marriage, and Secularization
Pope Benedict XVI ardently expressed his anti-abortion stance and defended the traditional family structure during his visit to the Spanish pilgrimage site, Santiago de Compostela late last week....
11/4/2010 - Election 2010: Pro-Choice Sustains Big Losses; Abortion Not Deciding Factor
Unquestionably, the biggest loss is the replacement of pro-choice, feminist Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and the pro-choice Democratic leadership team of Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC), and Assistant to the Speaker Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)....
10/26/2010 - Iowa Abortion Adversaries Oppose Telemedicine
At a public comment session late last week, abortion opponents requested the Iowa Board of Medicine prevent Planned Parenthood from using telemedicine to administer abortion medicine....
10/13/2010 - NY Bill Proposed to Curb Misleading CPC Signage
New York City Council speaker Christine Quinn and Councilwoman Jessica Lappin are pushing for legislation in the state that would mandate that crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) clearly indicate their position on abortion to patients....
9/27/2010 - Mifepristone Telemedicine Programs Gain Success at Drug's 10th Anniversary in US
Tomorrow is the ten-year anniversary of the US Food and Drug Administration's approval of mifepristone, also known as RU-486 or the "abortion pill." Marketed as Mifeprex in the United States, the pill, which is used to terminate a pregnancy in its early stages, has garnered new attention as abortion providers across the country consider establishing telemedicine programs similar to the one pioneered by Iowa Planned Parenthood....
8/31/2010 - New MO Anti-Choice Law Goes into Effect
A Missouri law that includes a number of new abortion restrictions was enacted Saturday....
8/18/2010 - SC Bill Increases Abortion Waiting Period
South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford signed a bill today that will increase the required waiting period prior to an abortion from one hour after an ultrasound to 24 hours....
7/16/2010 - Missouri Abortion Restrictions Become Law without Governor's Signature
A Missouri bill instituting new abortion restrictions became law on Wednesday under the leadership of Governor Jay Nixon, but without his direct signature....
7/1/2010 - CPC "Truth in Advertising" Legislation Introduced
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced a bill yesterday that would regulate the misleading advertising practices of Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs)....
6/11/2010 - Iowa Planned Parenthood Makes Mifepristone More Accessible
Planned Parenthood clinics in Iowa have introduced a program that enables mifepristone, also known as RU-486 or the "abortion pill," to be administered to patients while videoconferencing with their doctors, reports the New York Times....
6/4/2010 - South Carolina Republicans Back Down From Abortion Restrictions to Pass Budget
The South Carolina legislature approved a nearly $5 billion state budget yesterday that includes a provision allowing the state health insurance plan to cover abortions in cases of rape, incest, or if the mother's life is in danger....
5/17/2010 - Missouri State House Passes Bill to Expand Abortion Restrictions
The Missouri state House passed a bill expanding upon their existing abortion restrictions on the final day of their legislative session....
4/29/2010 - FL Senate Republicans Push Anti-Abortion Legislation, House Democrats Push Back
The Republican-majority Florida Senate pushed three separate anti-abortion measures through Wednesday....
4/23/2010 - Missouri State Senate Passes Expanded Abortion Bill
The Missouri state Senate passed a bill Thursday on a 26 to 5 vote to expand upon their existing abortion restrictions such as a 24-hour waiting period prior to the procedure....
4/23/2010 - Mississippi, Louisiana, Moving to Ban State-Backed Insurance Abortion Coverage
The Mississippi and Louisiana state legislatures are both moving to pass legislation that would ban abortion coverage in each state's respective health insurance exchange being created as a result of the new federal health care package....
4/9/2010 - Stupak Retires; Pro-Choice Forces Move to Win District
With pressure from feminists and pro-choice activists, teabaggers, and Republicans, Bart Stupak (D-MI) announced today he will not seek re-election....
4/9/2010 - Austin, TX Becomes Second City to Enact "Truth in Advertising" Law For CPCs
Austin's City Council approved "truth in advertising" for crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) Thursday, making the capital of Texas the second city in the US to enact the law....
4/6/2010 - OK Governor Approves Three Anti-Choice Bills
Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry (R) signed three anti-choice bills into law yesterday....
4/2/2010 - Scott Roeder Sentenced to "Hard 50" for Tiller Murder
Scott Roeder, who was convicted last month in the murder of George Tiller, MD, was sentenced yesterday to 50 years in prison without the possibility of parole....
3/30/2010 - GA Anti-Choice Bill Approved by State Senate
A Georgia bill that seeks to criminalize abortions on the basis of race was approved by the state Senate late last week on a 33 to 14 vote....
3/25/2010 - SC Senate Advances Compromised Abortion Bill
South Carolina's state Senate approved the state House's abortion legislation Wednesday that extends the wait time for an abortion from one hour to 24 hours....
3/23/2010 - Obama Signs Historic Health Bill; Key Provisions Go into Effect in 2010
"This is the beginning of a dramatic expansion of health care access, eventually adding coverage for 32 million people, increasing access to family planning and preventive care, and starts to limit some of the most despicable insurance company practices," said Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation....
3/18/2010 - Idaho Legislature Passes "Conscience" Bill
Idaho's House of Representatives passed a "conscience clause" bill this week, which will allow health care professionals to deny access to contraception, abortion, stem-cell, end-of-life treatment or medication on the basis of their conscience....
3/11/2010 - GA Anti-Choice Bill Passes Legislative Committee
A Georgia bill that seeks to criminalize abortions on the basis of race was voted out of the state House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee yesterday on a 7 to 6 vote....
1/15/2010 - Ultrasound Requirement Approved by KY Senate Committee
A Kentucky state Senate judiciary committee voted unanimously yesterday in favor of a bill that would require women who are seeking an abortion to have and view an ultrasound prior to the procedure....
1/14/2010 - CPC Truth in Advertising Bill introduced in WA
Two companion bills were introduced in the Washington state House and Senate yesterday that seek to institute truth in advertising laws for crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) in the state....
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12/22/2009 - Abortion Activists on Both Sides Speak Out on Healthcare Bill
Activists on both sides of the abortion debate have expressed their displeasure with the Senate version of the healthcare bill, which will be up for a final vote on Christmas Eve....
12/18/2009 - Senate Dems Negotiate HC Bill; Bishops Dictate Terms
Senate Democratic leadership has delegated to Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) the task of winning over Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE), in an attempt to secure the sixty votes necessary to prevent the fillibuster of the healthcare reform bill....
12/8/2009 - Baltimore Mayor Signs CPC Law
Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon signed a bill that requires crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) to post signs disclosing that they do not offer referrals for or information about abortion and contraception....
12/8/2009 - Boxer Delivers Floor Speech on Nelson Amendment
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) delivered a floor speech yesterday in the US Senate addressing the anti-abortion Stupak/Pitts amendment in the House of Representatives and the similar Nelson amendment proposed this week in the Senate....
12/2/2009 - Feminists Rally on Capitol Hill Against Stupak/Pitts
Hundreds of feminist activists from around the country gathered today on Capitol Hill to rally against the anti-abortion Stupak/Pitts amendment to the health insurance reform bill....
11/24/2009 - Baltimore Passes First City Regulation of CPCs
On Monday, Baltimore became the first city in the country to require crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) to post signs disclosing that they do not offer referrals for or information about abortion and contraception....
11/13/2009 - RNC To Halt Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance
The Republican National Committee (RNC) announced plans yesterday to work with their insurance provider Cigna to end the coverage of elective abortions under their health insurance. According to the Associated Press, RNC Chairman Michael Steele said in a statement, "Money from our loyal donors should not be used for this purpose....
11/10/2009 - Obama Against Stupak Amendment
President Barack Obama weighed in on the Stupak/Pitts Amendment to the Affordable Health Care for America Act last night in an interview....
11/9/2009 - House Passes Historic Health Reform - Women’s Rights Suffer Major Defeat in Passage of Stupak Amendment
The House passed the historic Affordable Health Care Act (HR3962) by a narrow margin (220-215) with major gains for women including eliminating gender rating in insurance prices, banning pre-existing conditions, capping out of pocket expenses, expanding Medicaid to include individuals at 150% of the federal poverty level, improving Medicare by closing the donut hole on prescription drug coverage, no charge for preventive care, and stopping the practice of dropping coverage or capping coverage of sick people....
11/9/2009 - House Passes Health Reform - Pro Choice Forces Vow to Strip Stupak Amendment
The House passed the historic Affordable Health Care Act (HR3962) for Women by a narrow margin (220-215) Saturday night with major gains for women including eliminating gender rating in insurance prices, banning pre-existing conditions, capping out of pocket expenses, expanding Medicaid to include individuals at 150% of the federal poverty level, improving Medicare by closing the donut hole on prescription drug coverage, no charge for preventive care, and stopping the practice of dropping coverage or capping coverage of sick people....
4/15/2009 - Proposed Anti-Choice Indiana Law Amended to Include Fetal Pain Provision
The Indiana state House approved an amendment to a bill in a 62 to 27 vote Monday requiring women seeking abortions to be notified of possible fetal pain....
2/26/2009 - South Carolina House Approves Abortion Waiting Period Bill
The South Carolina state House passed a bill 83 to 23 yesterday that would require women to wait for 24 hours after viewing an ultrasound prior to having an abortion....
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11/17/2008 - The Dangerous Masquerade of "Crisis Pregnancy Centers"
These fake medical centers try to fool college students in order to spread an anti-abortion message A new study just released by the Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF) reveals nearly half of college health centers refer students seeking reproductive health care to so-called "crisis pregnancy" or "pregnancy resource" centers...
11/13/2008 - Temporary Injunction Delays Oklahoma Anti-Abortion Law
A temporary injunction has prevented an Oklahoma anti-abortion law from going into effect November 1....
10/15/2008 - Anti-Abortion Ordinance Proposed in Allen County Indiana
An Indiana anti-abortion organization recently drafted an anti-abortion ordinance as part an effort to pass like-minded legislation at the county level that was previously rejected by the statewide legislature....
10/6/2008 - Anti-Abortion Poster Case Rejected by Supreme Court
The Supreme Court rejected an appeal in the case of American Coalition of Life Activists (ACLA) v....
8/28/2008 - Long Time Anti-Abortion Militant and Operation Rescue Founder Arrested at DNC
Randall Terry, the founder of the militant anti-abortion group Operation Rescue, was arrested at the Democratic National Convention after leading a sit-in that would have blocked a convention center entrance....
8/19/2008 - Anti-Abortion Ordinances Pushed in Indiana Counties
Anti-abortion groups in Indiana are pushing ordinances at the county level that would require doctors who perform abortions to have hospital admitting privileges....
8/8/2008 - Abortion Stance Theorized to be Anthrax Suspect's Motive
Bruce Ivins, the biodefense researcher accused by the Department of Justice of being solely responsible for the 2001 anthrax attacks, may have been motivated by personal anti-abortion politics....
7/11/2008 - Anti-Abortion Measures on November Ballots in CA, CO, and SD
Anti-abortion measures will be on the state-wide November ballots in California, Colorado, and South Dakota....
6/3/2008 - California Officials Certify Parental Notification Ballot Initiative
A parental notification ballot measure was certified last week for the California state ballot in November....
5/5/2008 - Kansas Senate Attempted Override of Anti-abortion Bill Veto Fails
An attempt by Republican lawmakers in the Kansas Senate to override Governor Kathleen Sebelius's veto of an anti-abortion bill failed last week....
4/30/2008 - Abortion Opponents Propose Constitutional Amendment in Tennessee
Abortion opponents plan to reintroduce a constitutional amendment on Thursday to ban abortion in Tennessee....
4/28/2008 - South Dakota Abortion Ban Petition Certified
South Dakota Secretary of State Chris Nelson certified last week that a petition for an abortion ban ballot initiative has enough signatures to be placed on the statewide November ballot....
4/22/2008 - Kansas Governor Vetoes Abortion Bill
Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius vetoed an anti-abortion bill on Monday....
4/21/2008 - Oklahoma Legislature Overrides Governor�s Veto of Anti-Abortion Bill
The Oklahoma Legislature overrode the governor's veto of an omnibus anti-abortion bill on Thursday....
4/18/2008 - Missouri House Approves Omnibus Anti-Abortion Bill
The Missouri House of Representatives voted 108 to 33 to approve an omnibus anti-abortion bill on Tuesday....
4/14/2008 - Oklahoma Senate Approved Omnibus Anti-Abortion Bill
The Oklahoma state Senate voted last week to approve an anti-abortion omnibus bill....
3/31/2008 - Mississippi House Approves Anti-Abortion Bill
The Mississippi House approved an anti-abortion bill last week that would further restrict abortions in the state, and possibly violate federal privacy laws....
3/31/2008 - Mississippi House Approves Anti-Abortion Bill
The Mississippi House approved an anti-abortion bill last week that would further restrict abortions in the state, and possibly violate federal privacy laws....
3/10/2008 - Feminists Celebrate National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers
Today, March 10th, feminists across the country celebrate the National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers....
3/5/2008 - Kansas Planned Parenthood Cleared of Charges
A Kansas Planned Parenthood clinic was cleared of any wrongdoing on Monday when the grand jury refused to issue an indictment....
2/25/2008 - Planned Parenthood Faces Medical Records Subpoena
A Kansas judge in Johnson county pushed attorneys for Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Missouri (PPKM) to agree to turn over medical records subpoenaed by the grand jury investigating PPKM�s reproductive health clinic on Friday....
2/7/2008 - November Ballot Initiative Round Up
Ten states may have anti-abortion initiatives and five may have anti-affirmative action initiatives on the November state ballots....
1/22/2008 - 35th Anniversary of Roe v Wade
Today marks the 35th anniversary of the US Supreme Court decision that gave women the right to a legal abortion....
1/14/2008 - Abortion Foes Focus on States
As the 2008 elections approach, anti-abortion activists have turned their attention to states....
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4/2/2003 - State Bills Requiring Abortion Providers to Offer Ultrasounds
The Arkansas Senate last month passed a bill (SB 729) requiring abortion providers to offer women an ultrasound image of the fetus prior to undergoing an abortion, reported Kaisernetwork....
