SCHIP

Sebelius confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services; recession hits teen pregnancy prevention programs; Montana may cut contraceptive coverage from CHIP; Missouri House approves amendment to protect pharmacists who deny medications.

Calling out the Republican party for their overly conservative leanings, Senator Arlen Spector of Pennsylvania decides to become a Democrat.

The chairs of five key congressional committees have finalized a plan for healthcare reform, and their blueprint includes a critical public option.

Neutralizing income as a determining factor for what a woman does in her reproductive life is reproductive justice. Much of the Pregnant Women Support Act is a means to that end. But the bill would also prop up crisis pregnancy centers.

The Senate voted 60-37 against an amendment to the SCHIP bill that proposed to reinstate the global gag rule.

Tomorrow will bring a winner of the long-awaited Georgia Senate race between Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss and former Representative Democrat Jim Martin. If Martin wins, a Democratic super majority in Congress could help to pass some critical pro-choice, progressive policies.

Republican vice presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin styles herself as a fierce protector of children and families, but her record on health insurance for children and pregnant women raises doubts about her priorities.

A Democratic leader in South Carolina questions Palin's qualifications based on whether or not she's had an abortion. But our focus should be on inclusive reproductive health policies - not personal decisions.

The more rabid elements of the far-right once again show their true nature, distorting facts for political gain and personal destruction.

Last week, President Bush vetoed a proposal that would extend the State Children's Health Insurance Program, demonstrating the administration's cavalier attitude toward the many families who earn above poverty levels but are still unable to cover their children.

Follow Eesha Pandit on Twitter, @EeshaP