National Abortion Federation Blog: Saporta Reporter
| News about reproductive choice from the President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation, Vicki Saporta. |
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We continue to mourn the loss of our friend and colleague, Dr. George Tiller. Dr. Tiller was a dedicated physician who provided quality abortion care to women, at great personal sacrifice and risk. He is truly a hero to his fellow abortion providers and his patients. Dr. Tiller’s office is filled with letters from women, thanking him for the excellent, compassionate care he provided. Many of these women say Dr. Tiller saved their lives.
Since his tragic death, we have received messages from some of his patients and from people around the world who are saddened and outraged. We feel it is important to share these words and tributes to our beloved colleague and friend. For the first time, we will enable comments on our blog so that all of you can share your condolences or offer memories of Dr. Tiller. We invite you to join us in honoring a true American hero, Dr. George Tiller.
Post your comments, condolences, and personal memories of Dr. Tiller
Report Finds Restricting Medicaid Funding for Abortion Care Forces 1 in 4 Low-Income Women to Carry Unwanted Pregnancies to Term
According to a new report published Wednesday, in states that restrict Medicaid funding for abortion, approximately one-fourth of women who would choose to obtain a Medicaid-funded abortion if given the option, are instead forced to carry their pregnancies to term because of their inability to pay for the procedure. Published jointly by the Guttmacher Institute and Ibis Reproductive Health, Restrictions on Medicaid Funding for Abortions: A Literature Review also found that Medicaid funding restrictions force some women to delay seeking abortion care by two to three weeks while they attempt to raise the necessary funds. Funding restrictions like the Hyde Amendment, which bans the use of federal Medicaid funds for abortion except in situations of rape, incest, and life endangerment, disproportionately affect low-income women who have limited resources with which to overcome these obstacles. >Learn more about funding restrictions.Labels: Hyde, Medicaid, studies
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Report Examines Benefits of Publicly Funded Family Planning Services
This week, the Guttmacher Institute published a report on the benefits of publicly funded family planning services. The report found that, through the provision of contraceptives to young and low-income women, the national family planning program prevents 1.94 million unintended pregnancies and saves significant amounts of taxpayer dollars each year. More than nine in 10 women receiving publicly funded family planning services would be eligible for Medicaid in the case of a pregnancy. By avoiding these costs associated with unintended pregnancies and pregnancy-related care, taxpayers save $4 for every $1 spent on family planning. “Publicly funded family planning is basic health care that empowers disadvantaged women to decide for themselves when to become pregnant and how many children to have,” said Rachel Benson Gold, the study’s lead author. >Read the full report here.Labels: Contraception, funding, Medicaid, studies, women
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Sign the Petition to Repeal Hyde!
Make Your Voice Heard!For nearly 35 years, women in the United States have had the right to obtain safe, legal abortion care. However, bans on public funding have severely restricted the ability of low-income women, who depend on the government for their health care, to obtain the care they need. Since 1977, the Hyde Amendment has prohibited federal Medicaid funding to be used for abortion care except in cases of rape, incest or life endangerment. Under this restriction, even when an abortion is necessary to preserve a woman's health, the procedure is not covered. As a result, a woman may delay her abortion while seeking funds to pay for care, or continue a pregnancy at risk to her own health. The Hyde Amendment is grossly unjust and the time has come to address this inequity in women's health care. Join over 60 groups in the Hyde - 30 Years is Enough! Campaign and call on Congress to repeal the Hyde Amendment and restore coverage of abortion care for low-income women. Sign our petition today! Together, we can create a society in which all women have the resources necessary to obtain the health care they need. > Learn more about the "Hyde - 30 Years is Enough! Campaign"> Read the National Abortion Federation's fact sheet about the Hyde Amendment. Labels: abortion bans, Hyde, Medicaid
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Clinics and Patient Challenge Georgia’s Refusal to Offer Medicaid Coverage for ‘Medically Necessary’ Abortions
The Georgia Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in a legal challenge brought against the state for its refusal to reimburse Medicaid recipients for abortion care when the procedure is needed to protect a woman's health. Several abortion clinics in Georgia and an unnamed Medicaid recipient sued the state arguing that it was unconstitutional to exclude “medically necessary” abortions from coverage. Under the current law, state Medicaid coverage can only be used to fund abortions in cases where the pregnancy is the result of rape, incest, or to protect the life of the woman. In some cases, an abortion is necessary to protect a woman’s health even though her life is not in danger. Removing funding restrictions for abortion care is an integral step in ensuring that women are able to access the abortion care they need regardless of their financial circumstances. Labels: access, Medicaid
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A New York Times Editorial Says Keroack was Always ‘A Bad Choice’
The New York Times ran an editorial today about Dr. Eric Keroack’s appointment and recent resignation as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services. We were seriously concerned and opposed to Keroack’s November appointment given his history as the Medical Director for a chain of crisis pregnancy health centers that do not distribute, encourage the use of, or offer referrals for contraceptive drugs and devices. The editorial affirms that “Keroack was always a disturbing choice to lead the federal office that finances birth control, pregnancy tests, and other health care services for five million poor Americans.”
Last month Keroack resigned after Medicaid officials took action against his practice in Massachusetts.Labels: Eric Keroack, Medicaid
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Threats to Abortion Access in the States
Attacks on abortion rights continue at the state level. Following are two recent examples: Ohio: In one of his last acts in office, Governor Bob Taft signed a bill prohibiting public funding of abortions except in instances of rape, incest, or life endangerment. The bill officially states that childbirth is preferred over abortion as the public policy of the state, and also banned the use of public money, including Medicaid, for abortion counseling and referrals. Oklahoma: State Representative Mike Reynolds recently filed a “trigger” bill, which would automatically go into effect if the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and re-establish the state’s anti-abortion laws. >Learn more about state level threats to abortion accessLabels: abortion bans, access, Medicaid, Roe v. Wade
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Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter and Planned Parenthood of Indiana signed a settlement agreement Thursday, ending almost two years of legal battles over the medical records of minor patients. Carter has agreed to return patient records his office obtained from Planned Parenthood and refrain from further record requests following a ruling from the Indiana Court of Appeals in September, which stated a minor's right to privacy trumps the state's desire to search for evidence of abuse. In March 2005, the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit attempted to seize the records of over 80 minor patients visiting Planned Parenthood clinics across the state for services including birth control, pregnancy tests, and counseling. At first Planned Parenthood surrendered partial records of eight patients to comply with the investigation, but sought an injunction when the unit expanded its request. Labels: Contraception, Medicaid, parental involvement
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