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Tag: abortion access
Blue States Stepping Up Defense Against Republican Abortion Bans

Blue States Stepping Up Defense Against Republican Abortion Bans

It's tough to remain optimistic about abortion access right now, particularly in the face of such extremes from anti-abortion politicians and activists.

Take, for example, the Idaho Republican Party's refusal to include language in its platform that would allow abortion to save a pregnant person's life. Or the fact that Republicans are floating the idea that if they take the House back in November, they'll pass a federal abortion ban. Or the discussion over whether pregnant women should be allowed to travel to another state to obtain an abortion.

However, some states are moving to increase abortion access for patients and provide protection against prosecution if people are charged with what the texts of anti-abortion laws call "aiding and abetting," or with obtaining an abortion.

New York was one of the first states to take action, passing six bills designed to protect access once it became clear with the leak of the Supreme Court opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization that Roe would be overturned.

The state also issued millions of dollars in grants, including $25 million earmarked for an abortion provider support fund that will help increase provider capacity, allowing those providers to serve more patients. In announcing the $25 million grant, New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul said that anecdotal evidence already pointed to an uptick in the number of patients from both Ohio and Pennsylvania coming to New York. More can be expected as bans in other states go into effect, she said; Ohio now has a six-week ban on the books.

Minnesota is also taking steps to protect abortion access. The state's Democratic governor, Tim Walz, signed an executive order requiring state agencies to protect people who provide or obtain abortions. Further, the executive order states that Minnesota will not assist other states that try to impose criminal or civil liability on someone seeking an abortion in Minnesota.

Earlier this month, a state district court judge overturned several of Minnesota's existing abortion restrictions, including a 24-hour waiting period and an "informed consent" requirement. The ruling also means that medication abortions can be offered by a variety of health care providers rather than just by doctors.

Advocates in Minneapolis are pushing the city to budget $800,000 to help fund groups that provide abortion funding and related support. It's vital for Minnesota to increase capacity because it is surrounded by states in which legislators are taking steps to ban or severely limit abortion.

Wisconsin has an 1849 abortion ban still on the books, and anti-abortion politicians argue that it is now in effect in the state. The state's attorney general has gone to court to argue that a 1985 law supersedes the earlier law.

Abortion is now fully banned in South Dakota, with no exceptions for rape or incest.

Late last year, California announced it would be a so-called sanctuary state for those in other states seeking abortions. This is especially necessary given that California is surrounded by states with legislatures controlled by anti-abortion politicians such as Arizona, where Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich is pushing to have a Civil War-era abortion ban go into effect.

Clinics in California are hiring additional personnel and expanding hours to make abortion more available. Providers are also coordinating with abortion funds to help provide for ancillary costs, like travel and lodging. Hospitals are working to serve people with high-risk pregnancies who are forced to leave their states to receive care. A UCLA study predicts the state will see an additional 10,600 out-of-state patients seeking abortion care yearly.

Bans and severe restrictions are moving quickly toward enactment in Republican-controlled states. Eight states now have complete bans — Wyoming, South Dakota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama — and a New York Times tracker lists Tennessee and Idaho as states in which bans are expected soon.

As these restrictions move across the landscape, it will be ever more necessary for states that uphold abortion rights to continue to provide access for those in need.

Study: Many 'Pro-Life' Americans Would Help Friends Or Family Get Abortion

Study: Many 'Pro-Life' Americans Would Help Friends Or Family Get Abortion

Washington (AFP) - Almost half of Americans morally opposed to abortion would help a friend or family member with arrangements to get one, and a majority would offer emotional support, a new study said Friday.

The authors of the paper, which appeared in the journal Science Advances, wrote the finding showed that people are willing to cross ideological and partisan lines to help others in their personal networks, something they referred to as "discordant benevolence."

"At first blush, these people may appear as hypocrites. They are not," said Sarah Cowan, a sociologist at New York University and the lead author of the article, in a statement.

"They are at a moral crossroads, pulled by their opposition to abortion and by their inclination to support people they care about."

The study was drawn from surveys and interviews conducted in 2018 and 2019 respectively, and comes after Texas passed a law allowing residents of the state to sue others who "aided or abetted" abortions performed after six weeks of pregnancy.

The Supreme Court could soon roll back decades of precedent by ruling abortion is not a constitutional right. The issue is deeply contentious and divides the public along political lines between Democrats and Republicans.

The new study was based on survey responses from more than 1,574 people, and separately 74 in-depth interviews.

Of those morally opposed, 76 percent said they would offer emotional support —- compared to 96 percent of those who are not morally opposed, or whose view depended on circumstances.

But the type of support varied greatly, reflecting the social meaning of money and the view that spending money is a means to enact one's values, the authors said.

Just six percent of those morally opposed would directly help a friend or relative pay for the procedure, compared to the 45 percent who said they would help with ancillary costs.

Among those not morally opposed, 54 percent would help pay for the procedure, which typically costs $500 in the first trimester.

Moral conflict

Social scientists have long been interested in what explains helpful behavior.

Factors are thought to range from the act of kindness causing a person to feel good about themselves, to a sense of duty to their kinship networks and expectation of reciprocity in future.

But the authors said scenarios where rendering help placed the helper in a moral conflict were less studied.

Based on their in-depth interviews, they found people who were willing to help despite their inner opposition relied on three main rationalizations.

The first was "commiseration," or reasoning that people are worthy of care despite their imperfections in an imperfect world.

The second was "exemption" -- carving out an exception for their loved ones in particular, while the third was "discretion," -- the idea that what is right or wrong is inherently personal, not universal.

"If it were my sister...I would want to talk to her to make sure she's thinking about every possible thing," said Ryan, a person interviewed in the survey.

"But if, ultimately, she's like 'No, (Ryan), I can handle this,' then, 'Ok, do what you gotta do,' you know? But it's just because you love someone."

Should We Expect Changes To Our Healthcare In 2022?

Should We Expect Changes To Our Healthcare In 2022?

Health matters continue to be an important factor for Americans, especially after the chaos and serious problems COVID-19 has caused since 2020. The pandemic made many people a lot more aware of their health, and how important it is to know what's really going on in the healthcare sector.

Maintaining good health is essential, such as the dental checkups you should get every six months for the prevention of cavities and other dental problems. As the healthcare sector grows and makes better technology more available, these checkups might become more regular for every American.

Improvement in the sector could ensure that more people make their health a priority, which is good since about 31 million injuries needing medical attention occur every year in the country, but not everyone is willing to risk the bill of visiting their doctor or nearest hospital.

COVID-19 As 2022 Progresses

The COVID-19 pandemic will likely start to get better as we get deeper into 2022, and it is expected that deaths in the United States will fall by about 80 percent. Although the virus won't be gone, it will be less fatal and life can return to some resemblance of normal again. It is thanks to effective vaccines and booster programs, sufficient supplies, and strict employer mandates that this virus will soon become something a lot more manageable than it was just a few months ago.

However, there will still be people who remain susceptible, and the virus will likely continue to mutate. Still, the virus will become more difficult to spread, and humanity will just accept being a lot more serious about their health as their new normal.


The Fight For Abortion Access Continues

Abortion continues to be a very controversial topic in the U.S. While many people want to get rid of abortion completely, others feel women should have the freedom to choose. In 2021, abortions after six weeks were banned in Texas, which caused many people to voice that the bill is inhumane and goes against women's rights.

Many doctors continue to fight for the right to allow women access to safe abortions as well as accurate information. Mail-in medical abortions have become more accessible, and many startups focused on this matter will continue to grow wherever possible.


A Spotlight Is Placed On Menopause

Sadly, despite the many health advancements and medical breakthroughs we've had over the years, there is still a lot of stigma that clings to menopause. Fortunately, there are medical professionals determined to do something about this matter.

This year, it is hoped that shame can be taken out of discussions of menopause, so more women will realize it's normal and nothing that they should try to hide. There are also various healthy medicines available that women should become aware of — they don't need to endure hot flashes, pain, and mood swings.


The End Of The DNA Sequencing Monopoly?

For the longest time, DNA sequencing has been something that Illumina practically had a monopoly over. There was no one to act as the company's competition, so they just claimed 80 percent of the market share globally.

That is expected to change in 2022 and the years ahead, with many new medical startups coming forward to take their share of the market. This is a good thing because competition ensures that companies will work hard to continue ground-breaking research.


Healthcare Needs To Change

It is essential that the way we look at our health and the healthcare sector continues to change. The use of improved technologies, disregard of unnecessary stigmas, and more affordable healthcare are important for the future of America. Since one in five Americans will get skin cancer before they turn 70, medical care that is advanced and affordable, making it more available to everyone, is of the utmost importance.

Virginia Governor Vetoes Bill Defunding Planned Parenthood

Virginia Governor Vetoes Bill Defunding Planned Parenthood

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe on Tuesday vetoed a bill that would have blocked funding for Planned Parenthood, which provides abortions and other health services.

The bill passed by the Republican-controlled legislature would have barred the state from providing funds to clinics that perform abortions not covered by Medicaid, the federal healthcare program for the poor.

McAuliffe, a Democrat, said the measure would harm thousands of Virginians who relied on Planned Parenthood healthcare services and programs. He vetoed a similar measure last year.

“Attempts to restrict women’s access to health care will impede the goal of making Virginia the best place to live, work, and run a business,” he said in a statement.

Advocates for the law had said it would underpin organizations that provide the widest range of services.

Planned Parenthood draws the ire of many Republicans because it provides abortions. Republican President Donald Trump has pledged to defund the organization.

(Reporting by Ian Simpson; Editing by James Dalgleish)

IMAGE: Democratic nominee for Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe stands onstage during a campaign rally in Dale City, Virginia, October 27, 2013.  REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo