The Battle Is Heating Up Between Planned Parenthood And At Least 15 GOP-Controlled Legislatures
In those states, lawmakers are aiming to cut tens of millions of dollars received by the reproductive health organization through Medicaid. Also, abortion-related legislation advances in Indiana, Arizona and Texas.
USA Today:
Planned Parenthood Fights Back As GOP Targets Its Financing Nationwide
Republicans who dominate legislatures in at least 15 states are moving to cut tens of millions of dollars Planned Parenthood chapters receive under the federal Medicaid program for reproductive health care. Planned Parenthood is fighting to protect its funding from the prospective cuts. (Moritz, 2/15)
The Associated Press:
Indiana Panel Advances Bill On Disputed Abortion 'Reversal'
An Indiana House panel clashed Wednesday over the science behind a disputed method to purportedly stop drug-induced abortions, then narrowly approved a requirement for women to receive information about it before undergoing the procedure. (2/15)
Arizona Republic:
Arizona Abortion Bill May Affect Other Births
A proposal from an Arizona lawmaker to require doctors to do everything possible to save the life of a baby born alive during an abortion could have far broader implications. Senate Bill 1367 would require hospitals and clinics providing abortions at 20 weeks or beyond to have medical equipment on site to care for a fetus delivered alive. If the delivered baby is breathing, has a heartbeat and is moving, doctors must use all available means and medical skills to save its life. But there are concerns that it also would require doctors to perform fruitless medical procedures on a fetus born early due to fatal abnormalities. (Beard Rau, 2/15)
Texas Tribune:
Senate Panel Hears Testimony On 3 Abortion-Related Bills
Senate Health and Human Services Committee members heard emotional testimony from reproductive rights and anti-abortion advocates on Wednesday over Senate Bill 8, Senate Bill 415 and Senate Bill 258. SB 8 and SB 258 would change how providers handle fetal tissue, while SB 415 would ban "dismemberment abortions," a procedure anti-abortion advocates say involves removing an unborn baby from the womb limb by limb. (Evans, 2/15)
