Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Many See Racial Disparities As A Key Missing Piece In National Abortion Debate
The New York Times: When ‘Black Lives Matter’ Is Invoked In The Abortion Debate
As a pastor, Clinton Stancil counsels his black congregants that abortion is akin to the taking of innocent life. But as a civil rights activist, Mr. Stancil urges them to understand the social forces that prompt black women to have abortions at disproportionately high rates. The national debate over abortion has focused of late on when a heartbeat is discernible in the fetus, on the rights of women to make choices over their bodies and on the vast schism between the opposing views on ending pregnancies. (Eligon, 7/6)
The Associated Press: Judge Blocks Ohio Abortion Law, Clinics To Remain Open
A federal judge temporarily blocked an Ohio law banning abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, siding with abortion clinics that had argued the law would eliminate abortion access in the state. The ruling Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Michael Barrett halts the July 11 enforcement of the law that opponents argued would effectively ban the procedure. That is because a fetal heartbeat can be detected as early as six weeks into pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. (Carr Smyth and Franko, 7/3)
The Wall Street Journal: Prosecutors Drop Charge Against Alabama Woman Who Lost Fetus In Shooting
Prosecutors in Alabama dropped a manslaughter charge against a pregnant woman who lost her fetus after getting shot in the belly during an altercation. The case drew nationwide attention because a grand jury chose to indict the mother, 28-year-old Marshae Jones, for allegedly provoking the fight, rather than the woman who fired at her. It also revived debate over “fetal homicide” laws, like the one in Alabama, that define the fetus as a person and confer it with rights. (Campo-Flores, 7/3)
KCUR: ACLU Kicks Off Events Aimed At Overturning Missouri's Abortion Ban
Supporters from across the state gathered Sunday for events aimed at gathering signatures to halt Missouri’s law banning abortion after eight weeks of gestation. The law, which makes no exceptions for rape or incest, is set to take effect on Aug. 28. In Kansas City, the event at Sidekicks Saloon, which was sponsored by the ACLU-Missouri, drew dozens of supporters and organizers. Community organizer Al Cousineau said the goal was to gather 100,000 signatures statewide. (Johnson, 7/7)
Meanwhile, in other news —
The New York Times: Unlicensed Nebraska Midwife Is Arrested In Newborn’s Death After Home Delivery
A Nebraska woman who advertised herself as a midwife specializing in home births — but who prosecutors said did not have the proper certification — is facing a homicide charge after the troubled delivery of a newborn resulted in the baby’s death. The midwife, Angela Hock, who turned herself in to the police on Tuesday for the June 17 death of the 2-day-old baby, appeared in Douglas County Court in Omaha on Friday, and was expected to be released later that day on a $25,000 bond. (Vigdor, 7/6)
