The US Conference of Catholic Bishops apparently now runs the US government, aided by "faith-based advocacy groups," the House Democratic Leadership, the White House and members of the Senate. If you didn't know before, you know now.
None of the bills emerging from either the House or the Senate require insurers to cover all of the elements of a basic gynecological "well-woman" visit leaving out essential care such as pelvic exams, STI counseling and - yes - birth control.
Notorious anti-abortion activist Father Norman Weslin was among a dozen protesters arrested by U.S. Capitol Police outside House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's district office Thursday at a raucous protest against the health reform bill.
House Democratic leaders will allow an up-or-down vote on an amendment
blocking any money in its healthcare overhaul from funding abortions,
risking the votes of members who support abortion rights.
A vote originally set for tomorrow on the House health care bill may be delayed until next week, even after months of drama to arrive at this point. And to get to yes, Democrats are set to make another compromise on abortion care.
Following up on a June surprise, Michigan House Speaker Pro Tem Pam Byrnes on Wednesday announced she had introduced legislation to roll back a 2004 constitutional amendment which bans same-sex marriage in the state.
Only time will tell how this this week's election and phase of ultra-conservatism among Republicans will play out. What do you predict--and how should pro-choice, pro-reproductive justice advocates respond? Let us know.
While prevention restrictions under US Global AIDS Policy were made looser in last year's reauthorization bill, the new law includes worrisome reporting requirements for prevention programs.
A Michigan Department of Corrections official confirms that the department is seeking changes to a controversial policy barring HIV-positive prisoners from working in food service jobs.
Last week, Abby Johnson, the director of a Texas Planned Parenthood health center that provides abortions, resigned citing a "conversion". But a radio interview just weeks earlier leaves many questions unanswered.
Shortly after Dr. George Tiller was murdered on May 31 and his Wichita clinic subsequently closed, other providers bravely stepped into the breach. Among them is Dr. LeRoy Carhart, now targeted by anti-choice forces in an eerily similar campaign.
"I would never have sex with an HIV-positive guy," a friend told me. But rather than promoting real risk reduction, such statements reinforce and reproduce harmful stigma against HIV-positive people.
“How would you like it if your mother had an abortion?” ask anti-choicers, without realizing that’s like asking, “How would you like it if the night you were conceived, your dad decided to go to bed early while your mom watched Johnny Carson?”
What some are really doing in the health reform debate is projecting their own vision of what is moral onto those who will be most affected by distorted views and limited coverage: the taxpayers who will fund and use whatever system emerges.
Statement sent out by the Office of Congresswoman Lois Capps as well as an unaltered version of Congresswoman Capps' preparted statement to be presented on the floor of the House in opposition to the Stupak/Pitts Amendment.
