National Abortion Federation Blog: Saporta Reporter

Illinois Parental Notification Law Halted

2009-11-05T13:34:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, an Illinois court halted the state’s parental notification law, shortly after the Illinois Medical Disciplinary Board decided the state could begin enforcing the law. The temporary restraining order was based on a lawsuit filed in October by a Chicago physician and a women’s medical center in Granite City who believe the law is unconstitutional and could harm minors.

Originally scheduled to go into effect on November 2, the notification law was delayed until November 4, following the Medical Disciplinary Board’s review. The next hearing about the law is scheduled for November 19.

>Learn more about parental involvement laws.

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-11-04T13:21:00.005-05:00

Newsweek Examines Anti-Choice Legislative Strategy

2009-11-03T13:37:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Newsweek.com featured an article about the efforts of abortion opponents to put “personhood” initiatives on ballots across the country. Led by the new anti-choice organization Personhood USA, these initiatives aim to revise state constitutions to define a fertilized egg as a person. Seven state-level groups are currently gathering signatures for 2010 ballots.

A similar amendment was strongly defeated by Colorado voters in 2008.

Appeals Court Strikes Down Pittsburgh Buffer Zone Ordinance

2009-11-03T13:31:00.002-05:00

Friday, a federal appeals court struck down a Pittsburgh ordinance that created two types of buffer zones around abortion clinics. The ordinance banned protesters from coming within 15 feet of entrances, and also prohibited them from coming within eight feet of people entering and exiting clinics within a 100-foot buffer zone around clinic entrances. The court ruled that either zone, separately, could be legal, but in combination violated the free speech rights of protesters.

>Learn more about clinic protection bills.

Illinois Parental Notification Law Goes into Effect

2009-11-02T13:09:00.009-05:00

Following years of legal challenges, a state parental notification law, which requires physicians to notify a parent or guardian before a minor obtains abortion care, will take effect tomorrow in Illinois. In July, a federal appeals court in Chicago lifted a federal injunction on a 1995 version of the law, clearing it for enforcement. In August, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation granted doctors a 90-day grace period before the law would go into effect.

While parents rightly want to be involved in the decisions of their teenage daughters, good family communication cannot be legislated. Critics of the law note that most teenagers already involve their parents in their abortion decision, and that those who don’t often do so for compelling reasons such as incest or emotional or physical harm.

Learn more about parental involvement laws.

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-10-28T13:11:00.002-04:00

Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.

I am a young woman of 23. I’ve been married for three years and have two beautiful daughters under five years old. My family is my whole life, and I really do not know what I would do without them. I found out I was pregnant a short time ago and immediately knew we had a problem. My husband had just lost his job and we were slowly running out of money. We had just decided that we would have to move out of our home and in with my mother-in-law and brother-in-law. We now have six people living in a three bedroom apartment, still struggling with some government help, but making it work the best we can. My husband and I feel this is not the time to bring a new life into the world. We feel the hardship mentally and financially would only hurt our family. Without your help, we would not have been able to make the best possible decision for our family. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

--submitted by Betty* through a member clinic

My husband was arrested for domestic violence about three weeks ago. This is the first time in 12 years of being with him that I am finally free. I found out I was pregnant after he was arrested and I was so disappointed. He never let me take birth control, nor would he use any protection. We have two girls, and he felt I owed him a son. If I wanted to go on something, he’d accuse me of cheating. There is a no contact order for one year from his case, but I believe he’d try to violate that if he knew I was pregnant. This procedure will finally help me put an end to this extremely painful chapter in my life. With your help, I’m finally able to end the hurt. I’m very grateful. I get my life back.

--submitted by Andrea* through a member clinic

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-10-21T10:51:00.001-04:00

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-10-14T09:39:00.001-04:00

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-10-07T16:59:00.001-04:00

I thank you very much for your help from the Hotline. I’m currently unemployed with four children and a grandson to support. I’m terminating this pregnancy due to my poor health. My heart can’t handle a pregnancy so I really am thankful for your help. During this difficult time in my life, any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

--submitted by Sylvia* through a member clinic

The clinic and your Hotline have helped me tremendously. The clinic employees have been very friendly. I am very early in my pregnancy, and have been taking my regular medications on a daily basis and have researched the effects those meds have on an unborn child. I am also a full-time student and unemployed. When I decide to have children I want the pregnancy to be planned and healthy so I am able to give my child everything and more than what it needs.

--submitted by Aimee* through a member clinic

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-09-23T14:41:00.002-04:00

Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.

I have a three-year-old son. I am pro-choice because I have to take care of the son I have here on this earth. I am in school and I work full-time. It is hard enough finding affordable child care for him. This was a hard choice to make, but I am confident that I made the right one.

--submitted by Connie* through a member clinic

Your Hotline helped give me the freedom of choice, and the help to make my choice possible. With your help, I’m able to make the decision that is physically, emotionally, and mentally right for me in this period of my life. I believe we all have choices. It would be selfish to continue a pregnancy that I’m not prepared or ready for. I’m pro-choice for this reason. Thank you for your help!

--submitted by Kierra* through a member clinic

I appreciate the assistance I was provided in this desperate time. I am a single mother of three and am very concerned about how I could provide for another child. I am a student graduating in six months, and this is a big weight off my shoulders. Thanks a lot.

--submitted by Rose* through a member clinic

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-09-09T13:52:00.003-04:00

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-09-02T13:41:00.002-04:00

Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.

I am 26 years old, I have four children, and I’m in school. My partner just left me after we found out about the pregnancy. We already have one child together and he is not helping me at all. I’m being evicted and I have to get a second job in order to find a new home. If I were to continue with my pregnancy, my children and I would have nowhere to stay. Even though this is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, I thank you for the support and assistance.

--submitted by Trista* through a member clinic

I am currently unemployed and have no health insurance. If your organization wasn’t there for me, I don’t know what I would have done. My pregnancy was definitely unplanned. My boyfriend and I both agreed that right now would not be the best time to bring a child into the world. The NAF clinic helped me understand my options, and I am grateful for their understanding and non-judgmental advice. Thank you for understanding my situation.

--submitted by Brooke* through a member clinic

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-08-26T13:58:00.004-04:00

Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.

I'm a 21-year-old single mother of two, and without this decision I would more than likely have had to drop out of college to take care of my children. I feel that women have rights and should not be judged for their decisions.

--submitted by Alicia* through a member clinic

I had a surgical abortion in April. When I discovered I was pregnant, I visited a Crisis Pregnancy Center (CPC). When I walked in, I was greeted warmly. They gave me a free ultrasound and seemed sweet and supportive. Then came the counseling session, during which I asked to be excused several times, and was told each time it was mandatory since they had given me an ultrasound for free. When I informed them of my decision to have an abortion, I was forced to watch a graphic video. I was suffering from morning sickness and I had to run out to vomit several times. They told me these were the consequences of sin. They warned me my fiance would never be able to look at me as anything other than the woman who killed his first child. I'll never forget the way I felt leaving the Crisis Pregnancy Center that day.

I later visited a reputable abortion provider. My state required my provider to warn me about the supposed physical and psychological effects of abortion. I felt no shame, guilt, or depression resulting from my abortion. However, the CPC I visited brought me untold shame, stress, and confusion. My state legislators should have saved their mandated warning for the CPC.

--submitted by Joanna* via our website

>Learn more about Crisis Pregnancy Centers.

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

Government of New Brunswick Will Not Appeal Morgentaler Ruling

2009-08-21T13:50:00.002-04:00

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.

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-08-20T12:15:00.006-04:00

Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.

I am homeless with three kids already. I do not want to have another child without being able to care and provide for it.

--submitted by Alyssa* through a member clinic

When I found out I was five weeks pregnant, I had been sick with persistent pneumonia for months and my lungs were at risk of collapsing. I had half of the red blood cells I should have had and I had taken antibiotics known to cause birth defects. My mother was dying of bone cancer at the time and I couldn't have helped her and cared for an infant. I was working two jobs and enrolled full-time in college.

My fiance and I agreed together that abortion was the best option, and I had a medical abortion. The only unwanted effect I had was cramping, and I was able to rest at home during the process; it was nothing like the horror stories some people would like you to believe.

It has been over five years since the procedure and I have had no complications, physically or phsychologically, as a result of the abortion. I love my life and do not regret my decision.

Of all the myths about abortion, the ones that anger me the most are about the women who have them. We are portrayed as promiscuous, unintelligent, selfish, weak or child-hating. Those who oppose abortion would like people to believe that women either can't make a good choice or don't even deserve one. Nothing could be further from the truth.

--submitted by Sophia* via our website

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

Judge to Hear Arguments in Case Challenging Oklahoma Ultrasound Law

2009-08-14T13:28:00.001-04:00

This week, an Oklahoma County judge heard oral arguments in a legal challenge to a 2008 state law requiring women to undergo an ultrasound one hour prior to obtaining abortion care. The law also stipulates that women must listen to an explanation from the medical professional performing the ultrasound about what the image shows. In October, a temporary injunction was issued to prevent the law from going into effect on November 1. The injunction will remain in effect until the case is settled.

The injunction was filed by Nova Health Systems, the parent group of NAF member Reproductive Services of Tulsa, on grounds that the law violates a woman’s right to privacy by forcing her to listen to unwelcome, government dictated language in a private setting.

"It is both an affront to the woman's decision-making power and to her dignity," said Stephanie Toti, an attorney representing Reproductive Services.

This law, originally passed by the Oklahoma legislature in April 2008, is the only ultrasound law in the country that requires the image to be presented to a woman, even if she does not want to look at it. It is another intrusion by lawmakers into the doctor-patient relationship.

>Learn more about abortion rights in the states.

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-08-12T20:23:00.004-04:00

Federal Judge Upholds Oakland Bubble Zone Ordinance

2009-08-07T15:09:00.001-04:00

Tuesday, a federal judge ruled that a 2008 Oakland city ordinance barring abortion protesters from coming within eight feet of women entering and exiting abortion clinics is constitutional. Anti-abortion protester Walter Hoye challenged the ordinance’s constitutionality, and claimed that police applied it unfairly to anti-abortion protesters after he was cited for violating the ordinance last year. However, U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer found the law to be both neutral in content and applied appropriately by police who arrested Hoye.

In February 2008, the Oakland City Council unanimously passed the bubble zone ordinance, which allows patients and providers to enter and leave clinics free from harassment and intimidation while preserving free speech rights.

>Learn more about clinic protection bills.

Guest Column by NAF Board Member

2009-08-07T11:02:00.000-04:00

NAF Board Member Caitlin Borgmann, JD, is a featured guest columnist on the legal news and research site JURIST.

Borgmann writes that parental notification “laws like the one that will now be enforced in Illinois do nothing to help teenagers, while imposing traumatic hurdles, and sometimes grave danger, on those who lack loving and supportive parents to whom they can turn.”

While parents rightly want to be involved in the decisions of their teenage daughters, good family communication cannot be legislated. “Most states recognize that mandating parental involvement for sensitive medical treatment will have the hazardous drawback of deterring many minors from seeking care at all….Minors in most states can consent to services such as contraception, prenatal care, and treatment for sexually transmitted infection. In many states, minors can even relinquish their children for adoption and consent to medical care for their children. Parental involvement laws for abortion stand out as the glaring antithesis to this trend,” writes Borgmann.

>Read the full column here.

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-08-05T13:34:00.003-04:00

Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.

At 18, a student at the University of Chicago, I became pregnant. In that year, 1959, one had no option other than to bear the child or, alarmingly, have an illegal abortion. Having no means of support or family to sustain me, I was forced to choose the latter. I wish I could convey the chilling fear I felt. Having a back-alley abortion was a horrific experience, which I would not wish upon anybody.

Luckily, I was not permanently injured physically and was able to have two children when the circumstances were right.

I don't think today's young women have the foggiest idea of how vital it is that they have legal recourse to abortion if they wish. Perhaps my story will help enlighten them.

I've always felt the answer to the so-called Right to Lifers is very simple: if they make abortion illegal again, the very same number of women will continue having them, only many, many more deaths and permanent injury will result. It will change nothing to illegalize the procedure except to endanger thousands of lives.

--submitted by Janice* via our website

I am a single college student who is trying to break the cycle of having children young in my family. I heard about your Hotline from my very helpful counselor. You helped me out a great deal. So thank you very much for helping me access the abortion care I needed.

--submitted by Jocelyn* through a member clinic

--*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

Senate Begins Debate on Sotomayor

2009-08-05T11:46:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, the Senate started its formal debate on Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor.

The Supreme Court plays a critically important role in protecting a woman's right to safe and legal abortion care, and NAF has been closely following the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor over the past several weeks. When responding to questions from Senators, Judge Sotomayor consistently and correctly stated that Roe v. Wade is settled law and that the Constitution contains a right to privacy. However, Judge Sotomayor has never ruled directly on the issue of a woman's right to access abortion care, and the hearings did little to further illuminate her views on this issue.

It is expected the Senate will vote on this nomination before adjourning for the August recess.

Ohio Bill Would Require Consent From Men Before Abortion

2009-07-31T12:05:00.001-04:00

This month, an Ohio state legislator introduced a bill, which would require written consent from a woman’s partner or the man involved with the pregnancy in order for her to obtain abortion care. If the man is unknown, this bill would force a woman to submit a list of possibilities, and her doctor would have to conduct paternity tests—at the woman’s expense—and then seek the man's permission prior to providing abortion care. In cases of rape or incest, proof via a court document, police report, or indictment would be required.

This bill would place substantial obstacles in the path of a woman attempting to access abortion care and is unconstitutional. The Supreme Court has ruled that abortion restrictions must not place an "undue burden" on women seeking abortion care.

The bill’s sponsor, Republican John Adams, introduced similar legislation which died in committee in 2007.

NAF Member Clinic Moves to Block Ultrasound Law

2009-07-31T12:02:00.000-04:00

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.

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-07-29T17:54:00.004-04:00

I started having severe abdominal pain. I had many ultrasounds done and there was nothing the doctors could see that was wrong. When I found out I was pregnant the pain started to get worse. That’s when I had an internal ultrasound and doctors saw a tumor. The reason I needed this abortion was for my health and so I could take care of the tumor. It affected my school and work, and I needed to make sure I stayed on track with my life considering I am already a single parent. I would not have been able to do all this on my own so I am extremely grateful for help from the NAF Hotline.

--submitted by Nell* through a member clinic

I am a young single woman on my own. I have my own apartment with bills to pay and without your help I wouldn’t be able to go through with the abortion. With the tough times today it’s hard for anyone to make ends meet. I am pro-choice because I believe if you get pregnant you should be able to determine whether you are ready to have a child. I don’t want to bring a child into the world without knowing if I’ll be in a stable place to raise a child.

--submitted by Karly* through a member clinic

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

Roeder to go to Trial for Tiller Murder

2009-07-28T17:49:00.000-04:00

In a preliminary hearing today, Judge Warren Wilbert determined there was enough evidence to send Scott Roeder, 51, to trial on all charges in connection with the murder of NAF member Dr. George Tiller. Roeder has been charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault.

Roeder entered a plea of not guilty. A trial date is scheduled for September 21, though murder trials are often continued to later dates. Roeder's bond will remain at $20 million.