Michael Leavitt | RH Reality Check

Fiscally Conned, Socially Conned: The Con Game of Conservative Talking Points

by Scott Swenson, RH Reality Check

October 1, 2008 - 3:00pm (Print)

As the reality of governing-by-deregulation-talking-points trickles down upon us, is it too much to hope that voters might see through social conservative talking points too?

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Overwhelming Opposition Floods HHS Refusal Clause Proposal: 200,000+

by Scott Swenson, RH Reality Check

September 26, 2008 - 2:13pm (Print)

HHS is characterizing the number of comments as "higher than average" and RH Reality Check has obtained estimates from several organizations suggesting at 200,000 comments are in opposition. Don't forget the 325,000 petitions turned in before the rule was issued, as Americans attempt to prevent ideology from trumping medical science.

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Palin's Witch-Hunting Pastor, Politics and Public Health

by Scott Swenson, RH Reality Check

September 26, 2008 - 7:00am (Print)

Dismiss talk of witch-hunters as fringe wing-nuttery at your own risk -- public health advocates know better after dealing with witch-doctors and AIDS. The challenge is distinguishing the good witches from the bad.

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Attorneys General Oppose HHS Refusal Clause Ruling

by Scott Swenson, RH Reality Check

September 24, 2008 - 1:24pm (Print)

The opposition to proposed rules denying patient conscience rights continues to increase as the deadline approaches.

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HHS Refusal Clause Threatens Patient Conscience

by Jen Heitel Yakush, SIECUS

August 29, 2008 - 7:00am (Print)

The concept of conscience has been repeatedly manipulated, especially in the context of reproductive health and rights. While some have pointed to Catholic teaching to support the imposition of ever-more restrictive refusal clauses, they do not, reflect the Catholic position.

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Roundup: Ab-only Confusing Teens, More Women Than Ever Asking for Birth Control

by Brady Swenson, RH Reality Check

August 14, 2008 - 11:16am (Print)

Adolescents and teens often hold seemingly irreconcilable ideas about having sex; Is HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt deliberately trying to stifle debate on proposed regulations?; More women than ever seeking birth control; UK government reduces compensation payments to rape victims who had been drinking.

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MoveOn.org Urges Opposition to HHS Regulations Redefining Contraception as Abortion

by Scott Swenson, RH Reality Check

August 13, 2008 - 3:48pm (Print)

MoveOn.org mobilizes its 3.5 million members to stop the Bush Administration's attempt to define contraception as abortion. RH Reality Check is cited as source.

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Roundup: Mental Health and the Abortion Debate, South Dakota's Attempt to Ban Abortion

by Brady Swenson, RH Reality Check

August 12, 2008 - 10:49am (Print)

"Protecting" the mental health of women is the latest front in the abortion debate; The state of South Dakota's second abortion ban attempt; The Oregonian responds to Secretary Leavitt; New England Journal of Medicine reviews PEPFAR five years after inception.

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HHS Sec. Leavitt Blogs Again, Avoids Contraception Again, Still Ignores Ab-Only

by Scott Swenson, RH Reality Check

August 12, 2008 - 9:30am (Print)

HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt blogs again about the proposed HHS regulations that redefine contraception as abortion, without mentioning the word contraception. But he demonstrates he knows how to play the game of far-right ideological abortion politics.

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Media Covers HHS Backpedaling on Redefining Contraception as Abortion

by Scott Swenson, RH Reality Check

August 9, 2008 - 2:37pm (Print)

The Bush Administration efforts to redefine contraception as abortion continue to make major news, and give anti-choice publications one more chance to stir up emotion and misinformation.

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