Maryland Is First State To Take Steps To Protect Planned Parenthood Funding
The measure would direct $2 million from Maryland's Medicaid budget and $700,000 for the state's general fund to family-planning services. Meanwhile, California becomes latest state to support Planned Parenthood of Ohio in its suit against a state law excluding abortion providers from participating in publicly funded programs, and Shonda Rhimes joins the board of the organization.
The Associated Press:
Maryland First To Mitigate Any Planned Parenthood Cuts
Maryland has become the first state to enact legislation to mitigate any federal cuts to Planned Parenthood. The measure was enacted Thursday after Gov. Larry Hogan decided not to veto the bill. Like 14 other bills, it went into effect after a midnight deadline without the Republican governor's signature. The Democrat-led General Assembly passed the bill with enough votes to override a veto. (Witte, 4/6)
Los Angeles Times:
California Joins 15 States In Filing Court Brief Supporting Planned Parenthood's Lawsuit Against Ohio Healthcare Law
California has joined 15 other state attorneys general in filing a friend-of-the-court brief in support of a lawsuit by Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio challenging a law in that state that excludes healthcare providers that offer abortion services from participating in other publicly funded health programs, officials said Thursday. The lawsuit challenges the exclusion of such providers from breast and cervical cancer prevention programs, according to California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra. (Patrick McGreevy, 4/6)
The Washington Post:
Shonda Rhimes, Creator Of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ And ‘Scandal’, Joins Planned Parenthood Board
Shonda Rhimes, one of Hollywood’s most popular and powerful women, has joined the national board of Planned Parenthood. Rhimes, creator and producer of prime-time television shows “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal”, assumes a formal role in the organization at a time when antiabortion activists and some Republican lawmakers have set their sights on defunding Planned Parenthood. (Williams, 4/6)
And in other news —
The Associated Press:
Tennessee Attorney General Questions Abortion-Ban Bill
Tennessee's attorney general has questioned the constitutionality of current legislative proposals that would ban most abortions after 20 weeks. The opinion from Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III, the top law enforcement official in a conservative Republican state, is the second this year to raise concerns over whether an abortion ban bill is constitutional. Last month, Slatery wrote that a push to outlaw most abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detectable, as early as six weeks, may not be able to withstand a court challenge. (Mattise, 4/6)
Iowa Public Radio:
Abortion Ban Approved After Emotionally-Charged Debate
After more than six hours of sometimes bitter debate extending over two days the Iowa House last night approved a bill which, if it becomes law, would include the most extensive abortion restrictions ever approved in Iowa. The bill bans abortion after the 20th week of pregnancy, and enacts a 72 hour waiting period for all abortions. (Russell, 4/6)
