Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
U.S. One Of Only Seven Countries That Allows Elective Abortions After 20 Weeks
The Washington Post: Is The United States One Of Seven Countries That ‘Allow Elective Abortions After 20 Weeks Of Pregnancy?’
There are 59 countries that allow abortion “without restriction as to reason,” or “elective,” or “abortion on demand.” These are countries where the letter of the federal law does not impose specific eligibility requirements for women. The other 139 countries “require some reason to obtain an abortion, ranging from most restrictive (to save the life of the mother or completely prohibited) to least restrictive (socioeconomic grounds) with various reasons in between (e.g., physical health, mental health),” the report says. Only seven of the 59 countries allow elective abortions after 20 weeks, the group found: Canada, China, Netherlands, North Korea, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam. (Lee, 10/9)
In other news on abortion —
The Associated Press: Oklahoma Judge Again Overturns Medical Abortion Restriction
An Oklahoma judge has again overturned a state law restricting women's access to drug-induced abortions, according to attorneys for the state and for the groups challenging the law. Oklahoma County District Judge Patricia Parrish on Friday overturned a 2014 state law that banned "off-label" use of medication used for abortions. (10/7)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Planned Parenthood Is Opening A New Abortion Clinic In Milwaukee
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin is opening a new clinic in Milwaukee that will provide abortion services, the first such center the group has opened in the state in more than a decade. The move comes despite state Republican leaders' efforts to limit access to the procedure. (Spicuzza, 10/6)
