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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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Remembering an American hero: George Tiller

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

Friday, August 21, 2009

Government of New Brunswick Will Not Appeal Morgentaler Ruling

This week, the provincial government of New Brunswick announced that it will not appeal the May 21 court decision granting NAF member Dr. Henry Morgentaler legal standing to challenge the province's restrictive policy on abortion funding.

This official acceptance of the May 21 appeals court decision means that Dr. Morgentaler's lawsuit can move forward in court. He is suing the provincial government over its policy of only funding abortions if two physicians deem the procedure is medically necessary and if it is provided in a hospital. Abortion is a safe, legal, insured, and funded service in Canada, meaning that women should not have to pay for abortion care. New Brunswick is the only province to enforce these restrictive policies.

>Learn more about Dr. Morgentaler's case and New Brunswick's restrictive abortion policy.

Labels: Canada, Dr. Henry Morgentaler, funding

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Friday, July 17, 2009

U.S. House of Representatives Lifts DC Abortion Ban

Yesterday, we released the following statement commending the U.S. House of Representatives for lifting a longstanding ban that prohibits DC from using its locally raised revenue to help low-income women obtain the abortion care they need:

This prohibition interfered with the rights of DC residents and has effectively prevented the DC government from assessing and meeting the needs of its community. We are pleased that the House has removed this discriminatory policy, which has for far too long interfered with DC women’s ability to access safe, legal abortion care.

Since 1977, the Hyde Amendment has prohibited the use of federal Medicaid funds to pay for medically necessary abortion care for most low-income women, except in very limited circumstances. Although states may use non-federal funds to pay for abortion care, since 1988 Congress has restricted DC from using its own locally raised funds to provide abortion care to low-income women.

President Obama’s FY 2010 Budget called on Congress to lift the ban on the District’s use of locally raised funds for abortion care. We urge the Senate to join the House in taking action to end this discriminatory policy.

Labels: abortion bans, funding, Hyde, Obama Administration

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Friday, February 27, 2009

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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National Abortion Federation Blog: Saporta Reporter

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Friday, August 21, 2009

Government of New Brunswick Will Not Appeal Morgentaler Ruling

Friday, July 17, 2009

U.S. House of Representatives Lifts DC Abortion Ban

Friday, February 27, 2009

Report Examines Benefits of Publicly Funded Family Planning Services