Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
California Positions To Be Abortion 'Sanctuary' In Face Of Roe Threats
AP: California Plans To Be Abortion Sanctuary If Roe Overturned
With more than two dozen states poised to ban abortion if the U.S. Supreme Court gives them the OK next year, California clinics and their allies in the state Legislature on Wednesday revealed a plan to make the state a “sanctuary” for those seeking reproductive care, including possibly paying for travel, lodging and procedures for people from other states. The California Future of Abortion Council, made up of more than 40 abortion providers and advocacy groups, released a list of 45 recommendations for the state to consider if the high court overturns Roe v. Wade — the 48-year-old decision that forbids states from outlawing abortion. (Beam, 12/8)
The Wall Street Journal: California May Pay Expenses For Women Seeking Abortions From Other States
California political leaders are looking for ways to provide financial and logistical support to women who come to the state seeking abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned or severely curtailed, including possibly paying for gas, lodging, and child care, as well as compensating providers for services rendered to low-income patients. The proposals are some of the 45 recommendations put forth in a report by a group of abortion providers and advocates with input and support from leaders of the overwhelmingly Democratic Legislature. It comes as the state prepares for a possible influx of people from areas that could pass abortion restrictions if the Supreme Court limits or ends the constitutional right to abortion. (Mai-Duc, 12/8)
In other news about abortion —
The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer: Ohio House Passes ‘Born Alive’ Abortion Bill That Would Likely Shutter Last Clinics In Dayton, Cincinnati
The Ohio House passed a bill that would require doctors to perform life-saving care on fetuses that survive failed abortions and also would close Southeast Ohio’s last abortion clinics. The House passed Senate Bill 157 59 to 33, largely along party lines. The bill now heads to the Ohio, Senate which is expected to vote on some technical changes made in the Ohio House. If the Senate agrees to the changes, the bill will head to Gov. Mike DeWine. (Hancock, 12/8)
USA Today: 26 States Plan to Ban Abortion in Some Form if the Supreme Court OKs Mississippi's Ban. Here's Who Is Most at Risk.
While wealthier pregnant people will continue to have access to abortion regardless of what the Supreme Court decides in the spring, those who are low-income and nonwhite are expected to be most affected. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments last week on the constitutionality of Mississippi’s ban on abortions past 15 weeks in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health case. Twenty-six states are poised to ban abortion in some form if the Supreme Court OKs the ban or decides to overturn Roe v. Wade altogether, dealing a blow to 50 years of legal precedent guaranteeing the right to an abortion, according to Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights research and policy organization. (Hassanein, 12/8)
Also —
USA Today: With Roe V. Wade In Peril, Abortion Activists Ask: Where Are The Men?
Abortion rights activists worried the Supreme Court is poised to strike down Roe v. Wade are increasingly asking: Where are our male supporters? Although Americans widely support abortion access in the United States, many activists worried about preserving the right to abortion say a pending Supreme Court decision could effectively end access in at least 20 states almost overnight. If that day comes — and they increasingly predict it will — activists fear the lack of public support from a broad group of Americans may prolong their fight to restore abortion rights. (Hughes, 12/9)
Vox: Why Adoption Isn’t A Replacement For Abortion Rights
Americans don’t need abortion because adoption exists. That, at least, was the implication of comments made by Justice Amy Coney Barrett last week, as the Supreme Court appeared to edge closer than ever to overturning the landmark 1973 decision Roe v. Wade and stripping Americans of the right to an abortion before viability. During oral arguments December 1 in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which concerns Mississippi’s ban on abortion after 15 weeks, Barrett noted that all 50 states have safe haven laws, allowing a baby to be surrendered for adoption shortly after birth without criminal consequences for the parent. If abortion rights advocates are worried about the burdens of forced parenthood, she asked, “Why don’t the safe haven laws take care of that problem?” (North, 12/8)
