Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Controversial 'Abortion Reversal' Laws On Books In 15 States
Stateline: Abortion Opponents Push State Lawmakers To Promote Unproven ‘Abortion Reversal’
Anti-abortion organizations are pushing state lawmakers to promote a controversial and unproven “abortion reversal” treatment — flouting the objections of medical professionals who point out it is not supported by science. In the past several years, Republican lawmakers in at least 14 states have passed laws requiring health care providers to give patients information about abortion reversal. Kansas became the 15th state this year. Meanwhile, Democratic-controlled Colorado this year moved in the opposite direction, becoming the first state to effectively ban abortion reversal treatment, designating it as medical misconduct. (Claire Vollers, 11/30)
Stat: Does Texas Abortion Law Endanger Women With Pregnancy Complications?
The Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday heard a case that could end up deciding whether abortion in the state should be protected under its constitution when it’s provided for medical reasons. Also at stake is the issue of how much agency doctors have to exercise their medical judgment in the treatment of the most complicated pregnancies — a power that the case’s plaintiffs claim has been lost under Texas’ current abortion laws. (Merelli, 11/29)
Politico: Tuberville Considers Dropping Some Military Holds 'Soon, But Not Today'
Tommy Tuberville said in an interview on Wednesday he’s considering dropping his months-long holds on military promotions over the Pentagon's abortion policy “soon, but not today.” The Alabama GOP senator said he and other Armed Services Committee members are “getting close” to a resolution and will be holding more meetings on the subject later Wednesday with Chair Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and other members of the panel. (Everett, 11/29)
In other reproductive health news —
New Hampshire Bulletin: Executive Council Republicans Reject Family Planning Contracts Again
For the fifth time in three years, the four Republicans on the Executive Council voted Wednesday to reject contracts with three organizations that had provided the majority of the state’s low-cost basic reproductive health care, such as cancer screenings, STD treatment, and contraception. (Timmins, 11/29)
St. Louis Public Radio: Jamaa Birth Village To Open Satellite Midwifery Sites Across Missouri
Over 40% of Missouri’s 114 counties are considered maternity care deserts, according to a recent March of Dimes report. Most of those 48 counties are rural and do not have access to obstetrics care or birthing hospitals. Jamaa Birth Village is piloting a midwifery satellite program that will offer prenatal and postpartum care next year to pregnant people near Springfield, Columbia and the Bootheel area to help reduce the health disparities among Black women living in rural areas. The midwifery clinic will also pilot the satellite program in St. Louis. (Henderson, 11/30)
