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
NAF Member Clinic Moves to Block Ultrasound Law
NAF member Red River Women’s Clinic in Fargo, ND has filed a lawsuit to block part of a new state law that requires providers to offer all patients the option to view an ultrasound image 24 hours prior to obtaining abortion care. While a woman should have the option to view such an image, legislation mandating policies around ultrasounds is yet another intrusion by lawmakers into the doctor-patient relationship. The clinic, which has offered women the option to view an ultrasound for the past year, is concerned that the law’s unclear language will create additional barriers for women in need of care. “ This law does nothing to enhance the safety of abortion care and in the end, just subjects the only clinic in North Dakota to strict criminal liability for failing to conform to a medical standard that doesn’t exist,” said Suzanne Stolz, staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights. The clinic is asking the court to issue a temporary injunction preventing the law from taking effect on August 1 while the court reviews the legal challenge. Labels: NAF, South Dakota, ultrasound laws
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New York Times Examines Medical Abortion Study
Today’s New York Times examines a recent study concerning medical abortion. Abortion providers and other experts had different reactions to the study, which suggests that infection rates can be reduced if the medication is taken by mouth instead of vaginally, and with antibiotics. Most providers agreed that it was reasonable to change to the oral route, but some hesitated at routinely prescribing antibiotics, which can have side effects, for a procedure with a very low infection rate. NAF was included in the article: Vicki Saporta, president of the National Abortion Federation, a professional group whose members provide more than half the abortions performed in the United States and Canada, said the group’s medical experts would evaluate the findings. The current guidelines allow oral, buccal and vaginal administration, but do not include routine antibiotics. >Learn more about medical abortion.Labels: medical abortion, NAF
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The President’s Budget Misses an Opportunity to Improve Women’s Access to Reproductive Health Care
Yesterday, we released the following statement:We are deeply disappointed that President Obama failed to strike federal funding restrictions on abortion care from his proposed budget. Federal funding restrictions are the most significant barrier to abortion access for low-income women. These funding restrictions unfairly jeopardize the health and well-being of millions of women who rely on the federal government for their health care. Women affected include low-income women who are enrolled in Medicaid, Peace Corps volunteers, Native American women, women in federal prisons, and federal employees. During these difficult economic times, it is more important than ever that all women have access to quality, affordable health care including abortion care. For 30 years, NAF has been operating a national, toll-free hotline to provide women with factual information, options counseling, referrals to providers of quality care, and limited financial assistance. In the last year, call volume to our Hotline has nearly tripled. We hear from thousands of women each week who are struggling to afford the abortion care they need. It is critically important that the health care needs of these women not be overlooked. As we move forward with health care reform, we call on the President and Congress to work together to ensure that women have access to comprehensive health care, including abortion care. Labels: access, hotline, NAF, Obama Administration, women
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Article Features Women’s Stories from Crisis Pregnancy Center
An article published last week in Pasadena Weekly features accounts from women deceived by a local Crisis Pregnancy Center (CPC). “I thought I was at a medical clinic,” recalls Judy, a 43-year-old mother of one, who mistakenly went into Avenues [Pregnancy Clinic] because it’s adjacent to her general practitioner’s office. “I don’t like what I went through,” she says. “It was a horrible experience—just manipulative. Deceptive! That’s what I feel—deceived.” After hearing stories from women like Judy, reporter Tina Dupuy decided to go undercover and visit the same CPC and write about her experience. “I spent nearly two hours of my time to get an admittedly unreliable pregnancy test, [and] erroneous medical information,” Dupuy said. She was also forced to listen to a religious speech from one of the CPC workers and given inaccurate information about the effectiveness of contraception. Many CPCs use deceptive advertising practices to mislead women into thinking that they are legitimate medical clinics that provide a variety of reproductive health care services, including family planning and abortion care. In reality, most CPCs do not provide full options counseling and generally will not refer for abortion care or birth control. In June 2006, NAF released Crisis Pregnancy Centers: An Affront to Choice, a comprehensive report outlining the ways that CPCs harass and mislead women. >Share your story about an experience with a CPC.Labels: crisis pregnancy center (CPC), NAF, patient stories, women
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Blog Examines Potential Rise in Clinic Violence under Pro-Choice Administration
Since the inauguration of President Obama, anti-choice extremists have become increasingly harassing and abusive towards clinics. Yesterday, RH Reality Check examined the potential of increased clinic violence in its blog. Included is commentary from many NAF members, including Claire Keyes, former Director of NAF member Allegheny Reproductive Health Center, Elizabeth Barnes, Executive Director of NAF member Philadelphia Women’s Center, and Tammi Kromenaker, Director of NAF member Red River Women’s Clinic. We know that political losses often provoke anti-abortion extremists to retaliate, so clinics need to increase their security awareness. Law enforcement is key to keeping the peace. In places where police respond quickly, stopping infractions against patients and staff--whether through locally passed ordinances or by invoking the federal FACE Act--anti-abortion violence does not usually escalate. In contrast, in places where the police do not enforce the law, anti-abortion extremists often push the envelope and engage in criminal activity. >Learn more about violence and disruption against abortion providers.Labels: NAF, safety, violence
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Article Examines the Baby Boomer Generation and Choice
An article published on Sunday in the New York Times takes a look at the baby boomer generation and its role in the pro-choice movement. The piece profiles multiple women of the baby boomer generation, their histories in reproductive rights, and examines what effect their retirement will have on the pro-choice movement today. Anne Baker, Head of Counseling at NAF member Hope Clinic, Sally Burgess, NAF Board Chair and Executive Director at Hope Clinic, Rachel Jones, NAF Board Member, and Tina Welsh, former Board Member and former Director of NAF member Women’s Health Center in Duluth, MN, are all featured. >Learn more about the history of abortion.Labels: NAF
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NAF Blog Named in 100 Best Health Care Policy Blogs
Last week, our blog was recognized as one of the 100 best health care policy blogs by RN Central, an online resource for nurses and nursing students. The list is organized into 15 categories of health care policy, including international health care, health insurance and coverage, pediatrics, and public health. The NAF blog was included as one of the top sexual health blogs. >View the full list.Labels: honors, NAF
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