Report Finds Restricting Medicaid Funding for Abortion Care Forces 1 in 4 Low-Income Women to Carry Unwanted Pregnancies to Term

According to a new report published Wednesday, in states that restrict Medicaid funding for abortion, approximately one-fourth of women who would choose to obtain a Medicaid-funded abortion if given the option, are instead forced to carry their pregnancies to term because of their inability to pay for the procedure. Published jointly by the Guttmacher Institute…

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New York Times Examines Medical Abortion Study

Today’s New York Times examines a recent study concerning medical abortion. Abortion providers and other experts had different reactions to the study, which suggests that infection rates can be reduced if the medication is taken by mouth instead of vaginally, and with antibiotics. Most providers agreed that it was reasonable to change to the oral…

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Ohio Supreme Court Rules to Protect Patient Privacy

Last week, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that a Planned Parenthood clinic does not have to present lawyers representing the family of a minor patient with the medical records of all minor patients provided with abortion care at their clinic. Ohio Supreme Court justices said the confidentiality of medical records trumps claims by the parents,…

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International Mourning Day Honors Dr. Tiller

Today, women’s health advocates in Europe participated in an International Mourning Day as a tribute to NAF member Dr. George Tiller and a denunciation of his murder. Abortion clinics in Spain closed for the day, and health care professionals in Italy, Belgium, and France wore black armbands in a show of solidarity. Dr. Tiller is…

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B.C. Bubble Zone Law Upheld

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear a challenge to a provincial law banning protests outside abortion clinics after 11 years of court proceedings. The Court confirmed a unanimous ruling by the British Columbia Appeal Court upholding the Access to Abortion Services Act or “bubble zone” law, which prohibits protesters from…

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U.S. Appeals Court Upholds Virginia Abortion Ban

Wednesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit upheld a Virginia abortion ban by a vote of 6-5. The decision reversed a 2-1 panel ruling in May 2008 that struck down the law on grounds that it would impose an “undue burden” on a woman’s right to obtain abortion care. The 2008 ruling…

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Dr. Tiller’s Family Closes Clinic

Today we released the following statement in response to the announcement that the Tiller family will not re-open Women’s Health Care Services, Inc. in Wichita, KS: For more than 35 years, Women’s Health Care Services, Inc. provided womenfrom Wichita and around the world with high-quality abortion care. The murder ofour member Dr. George Tiller has…

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Remembering NAF Member Dr. George Tiller

Yesterday, we suffered a tremendous loss when our beloved colleague and friend Dr. George Tiller was murdered in his church in Wichita, Kansas. It is with great respect and sadness that we send his family our heartfelt condolences. We join with our members in remembering and honoring Dr. Tiller’s life and his many contributions to…

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Appeals Court Upholds Morgentaler’s Right to Challenge Abortion Policy

Yesterday, the New Brunswick Court of Appeal dismissed the province’s appeal of a recent Court of Queen’s Bench ruling that gave NAF member Dr. Henry Morgentaler standing to challenge New Brunswick’s restrictive policy on abortion funding. Chief Justice Ernest Drapeau wrote in the decision that, “neither the Province’s primary nor its alternative contention comes close…

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Spain to Make Plan B Available Without a Prescription

Yesterday, Spain announced plans to make Plan B available over-the-counter in pharmacies without a prescription. Plan B, also known as emergency contraception, will be sold with no age restrictions within the next three months. Currently, access to Plan B varies greatly by region. Some areas of Spain make it available free of charge in government…

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