Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Despite Past Failures, 'Personhood' Advocates Hopeful New Leaders May Be Friendly To Cause
Stat: Fetal ‘Personhood’ Movement Seeks To Capitalize On GOP Wins
The push to confer full “personhood” status on every fertilized human egg has been rejected by voters and lawmakers in state after state, including deep-red Mississippi. But activists are cautiously hopeful that their cause could get a boost from Republicans who are about to assume leadership in Washington. Georgia Representative Tom Price, who has been tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to run the Department of Health and Human Services, has twice co-sponsored federal legislation that would define fertilized human eggs as legal persons — a move that would outlaw not just abortion, but also potentially the pill and other common methods of birth control. (Robbins, 12/9)
In other news from Ohio and New Hampshire —
Cleveland Plain-Dealer: 20-Week Abortion Ban Passed By Ohio Legislature, Headed To Gov. John Kasich
Ohio lawmakers on Thursday sent a second anti-abortion measure to Gov. John Kasich. The Ohio House voted 64-29, mostly along party lines, to advance a 20-week abortion ban, and the Senate later gave final approval. Lawmakers on Tuesday approved a ban on abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, as early as six weeks into a woman's pregnancy. (Borchardt, 12/8)
Cincinnati Enquirer: 7 Things To Know About Ohio's Abortion Bans
Ohio lawmakers just passed one of the country's most-restrictive abortion laws that almost certainly violates current constitutional standards. If signed by Gov. John Kasich, the so-called "heartbeat bill" would ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks' gestation. (Balmert, 12/8)
New Hampshire Union Leader: Abortion Clinic 'Buffer' In Court
A 2014 New Hampshire law that allows buffer zones around abortion clinics — a law that has yet to be implemented or enforced — went before a federal appeals court in Boston on Thursday. The First Circuit Court of Appeals heard a challenge to the law filed by self-described sidewalk counselors who have argued that a 25-foot buffer zone would impinge on their free speech rights. (Hayward, 12/8)
