Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Fetal Heartbeat Bill In Iowa Legislature, If Passed, Would Be Strictest In Country
The Associated Press: Iowa Republicans Back 'Fetal Heartbeat' Abortion Legislation
Republicans in the Iowa Legislature are backing newly filed legislation that would ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which would be the strictest ban in the country if enacted. A GOP-led House committee had been set to vote on the provision Tuesday night but lawmakers later adjourned without a decision. It's expected to be taken up again Wednesday. (3/28)
In other news —
St. Louis Public Radio: Missouri Hospitals Forgo Family Planning Funds As Abortion Rule Goes Into Effect
A new Missouri rule will strip state family planning funds from organizations that provide abortions, including hospitals. But several facilities are choosing to go without the money, instead of providing the state with a letter to certify that they do not offer the procedure. At issue is a $10.8 million portion of the state’s Medicaid program, which covers pelvic exams, tests for sexually transmitted diseases and family planning services for about 70,000 low-income Missouri women. (Bourscaren, 3/28)
The Washington Post: Should ‘Morning-After’ Pills Be Available On College Campuses Around The Clock?
Sarah Riback doesn’t have personal experience with getting the pills on campus. But the 19-year-old at the University of Maryland knows peers who have needed them. “This is a common thing that a lot of other female students have had to do,” she said. She’s talking about emergency contraception. Riback and other advocates say morning-after pills should be available on college campuses at all hours. At U-Md., they’re available at a student health center pharmacy that is open 36 hours a week, Monday through Friday. (Larimer, 3/28)
