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Barriers to Birth Control Remain 43 Years After Griswold

Nancy Ratzan on June 9, 2008 - 7:00am

It's time to base our nation's family planning policy on the broad consensus Americans have developed in support of access to contraception. Our government's hostility to birth control must end before another Griswold anniversary comes and goes.

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News & Commentary

1 On Abortion, Pro-Choice Is the Compromise Position

By Sam Sedaei on Jan 7, 2009 - 8:00am | 12 comments

President Obama has a unique opportunity to establish one important fact: abortion is as legal and legitimate of a medical operation as any, and the government needs to do what it can to help women have safe access to it.

The Economic Crisis: A Generation of Reproductive Health "Horror Stories"

By Carole Joffe on Jan 7, 2009 - 8:00am | 5 comments

From surrogacy and egg donation to inducing labor, the economic crisis is driving women to do things with their bodies that they otherwise would not do.

Anti-Abortion Postcard Campaign Stirs Up Catholics

By Andy Birkey on Jan 7, 2009 - 8:00am | 2 comments

Roman Catholic bishops throughout the United States are planning a postcard campaign days after the inauguration as part of an attempt to block the Freedom of Choice Act. One Minnesota priest is breaking rank, and getting flack.

2 Midwives Deliver

By Jennifer Block on Jan 6, 2009 - 8:00am | 10 comments

America is overspending and under-serving women and families. The problem is not access to care; it is the care itself.

Agenda for Compassion: Death With Dignity A Reproductive Justice Victory

By Logan Kelly on Jan 6, 2009 - 8:00am | 1 comment

Just as all women benefit from legal affirmation of their right to choose abortion, so do all terminally ill Americans benefit when they are free to make affirmative choices about how their lives will end.

Interpretations of Islamic Law Deny Women Choice in Indonesia and Malaysia

By Ramona Vijeyarasa on Jan 6, 2009 - 8:00am | 0 comments

In most Muslim-majority countries, abortion is generally prohibited with exceptions made where the health of the mother is at risk, but doctors often aren't aware of the legal exceptions.

3 Health Care Reform: Good for Patients, Good for Workers

By Amanda Marcotte on Jan 5, 2009 - 8:00am | 5 comments

Our country should view health care reform as an economic investment that can create jobs that women are likely to take.

Stemming Fistula: Social Contraception In Pakistan

By Zofeen T. Ebrahim on Jan 5, 2009 - 8:00am | 5 comments

Pakistani specialists say fistula can be prevented by stopping early marriages, delaying the age of first pregnancy and by timely access to good emergency obstetric care -- but education is also key.

Empowering Adolescents to Make Wise Sexual Choices

By Danielle Toppin on Jan 5, 2009 - 8:00am | 0 comments

While acknowledging the "cultural context" in which many students live, Jamaican Minister of Education Andrew Holness has refused to supply students with condoms in the schools.

4 The Dissembler

By Cristina Page on Jan 3, 2009 - 12:12pm | 1 comment

Steven Mosher attacks UNFPA and Cristina Page, again. The facts speak for themselves and demonstrate just how desperate the fringe of the far-right is getting.

2008 Top Ten Wins for Women's Health

By Beth Fredrick on Dec 24, 2008 - 8:00am | 1 comment

From Connecticut to Colombia, here are the International Women's Health Coalition's top ten wins for women's health in 2008.

HHS "Provider Conscience" Rule Puts Public Health in Danger

By Jessica Arons on Dec 24, 2008 - 8:00am | 5 comments

The right of conscience is a time-honored value in our society. But it is not only health providers who have rights; so do patients.

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Real Time Blog

Removing Obstacles to Prevention One Ban at A Time: New Bill Would Allow Federal Funds for Syringe Exchange

Jodi Jacobson, Consultant
Jan 7 2009 - 2:13pm | 2 comments
Rep. Jose Serrano has introduced a bill to lift the federal ban on funding for syringe exchange to prevent the spread of HIV and other infections among injection drug users. Passing this bill quickly could save untold numbers of lives.
Price Tag Dissuades Utah Legislators from Abortion Ban

Emily Douglas, RH Reality Check
Jan 7 2009 - 11:36am | 0 comments
Finally, the economic downturn delivers a silver lining for America's women: legislators in Utah, who are gung-ho about an abortion ban, aren't going to pursue one in this legislative session because of the cost associated with defending the ban in court.
Roundup: Teen Birth Rate Increases in 26 States; Focus on the Family Opposes Daschle Confirmation

Emily Douglas, RH Reality Check
Jan 7 2009 - 11:08am | 0 comments
Dr. Sanjay Gupta Obama's pick for surgeon general; teen birth rate increases in 26 states; Focus on the Family opposes Daschle confirmation; maternity leave healthier for mothers, babies; University of Wisconsin clinic plans to offer second-trimester abortions; Rick Warren's Uganda connections.

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