Opponents Say Texas’ Fetal Remains Rule ‘Designed To Shame’ Women Seeking Abortions
The state finalized the rule -- which requires aborted fetal remains be buried or cremated -- this week. Media outlets report on other news on abortion out of Arkansas, Ohio and Maryland.
The New York Times:
Texas Again Places Obstacles In Front Of Those Seeking Abortions
Despite losing a milestone abortion case at the United States Supreme Court this past summer, Texas threw down another stumbling block this week. It will require facilities that provide abortions to pay for the cremation or burial of fetal remains, rather than dispose of them as biological medical waste. It is the latest attempt by abortion opponents to make it more burdensome for women to get abortions — by creating new rules and laws that make it more difficult for providers to stay in business. (Alvarez, 12/1)
Texas Tribune:
Funeral Directors Anxious Over Texas Fetal Remains Rules
With Texas set to implement rules requiring the burial or cremation of fetal remains, it's not just health care providers who are anxious about the recently adopted requirements. Funeral directors in the state are joining the chorus of medical professionals and reproductive rights activists who have raised concerns about the rules. Though it hasn't taken a formal position on the requirements, the Texas Funeral Directors Association says it’s concerned about how they’ll affect the families they serve and the costs associated with compliance. (Ura, 12/2)
The Associated Press:
Trump Win Buoys Push For New Abortion Limits In Arkansas
Buoyed by Republicans' expanded majorities in the Legislature and Donald Trump's presidential victory, abortion opponents in Arkansas are pushing for bans on a commonly used second trimester procedure, terminating a pregnancy based on the fetus' sex and other restrictions next year. A Republican lawmaker plans to file legislation next week to prohibit dilation and evacuation, or "D&E," a second trimester procedure that abortion supporters say is the safest and most common. (12/1)
The Associated Press:
Ohio Pulls License Of 1 Of State's Last Few Abortion Clinics
Ohio has revoked the operating license of one of the state's few remaining abortion clinics on the grounds that it failed to obtain a required transfer agreement with a nearby hospital for emergencies. Women's Med Center of Dayton has 15 days to appeal the order, which was signed Wednesday by Rick Hodges, the director of the Department of Health. The clinic said it will do so. (12/1)
The Associated Press:
Maryland’s Democrats Vow Planned Parenthood Fight
Although President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to defund Planned Parenthood as long as it provides abortions, several of Maryland’s Democratic lawmakers said that despite their party’s minority status in Congress, they will fight every effort to do so. “This will be an ongoing battle,” Chris Van Hollen, a Democratic congressman who was elected to the Senate last month, said in an interview with Capital News Service. “It’s unfortunate that in the 21st century we’re still having to wage this battle, but we will fight tooth and nail to prevent Donald Trump and the Republicans from turning back the clock on women’s rights.” (Haq and Tonic, 12/1)
And birth control takes center stage post-election —
Stat:
Birth Control Becomes A Rallying Cry Against Trump's HHS Pick
Reproductive rights activists opposed to Donald Trump’s nominee for health secretary have hit upon a potent rallying cry: The cost of birth control. The campaign stems from a remark made back in 2012 by Georgia congressman Tom Price, who this week was tapped to run Trump’s Department of Heath and Human Services. Back then, Price had joined other Republicans in a fierce fight to block an Obamacare mandate that insurers give women free access to contraception. (Robbins, 12/2)
Chicago Tribune:
IUD Appointments Up 82% After Trump’s Win, Planned Parenthood Of Illinois Reports
Protests and social media diatribes aren't the only ways anxious Illinoisans are responding to an impending Donald Trump presidency. At least one organization has seen more Illinois women seeking birth control since Trump's election. Planned Parenthood of Illinois said it saw an 82 percent increase in the number of women making appointments online for intrauterine devices last month after the election compared with the previous November — an increase of about 200 appointments. After the election, appointments made online for all kinds of birth control services spiked 40 percent over the same time last year, said Julie Lynn, manager of external affairs for Planned Parenthood of Illinois, which operates 16 centers. The organization's contact center also has been fielding thousands of additional calls, she said. (Schencker, 12/1)
