Maryland to Regulate Abortion Clinics for First Time

by Eleanore Strong | Aug 5, 2011 | Issues, News, News & Opinion, State Abortion Policy

Under procedures drafted by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the state would for the first time regulate clinics that perform surgical abortions. A push was made this year by pro-life members of Maryland’s General Assembly to put regulations...

Texas Legislators Defend Pro-Life Ultrasound Bill in Court

by Eleanore Strong | Aug 5, 2011 | Issues, News, News & Opinion, Ultrasound

Texas state legislators are defending in court a bill that allows women the option of seeing an ultrasound of their baby before an abortion. The bill was to go into effect September 1 and is now the subject of a lawsuit filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights,...

Illinois Child Abuse Reporting Act Signed Into Law

by Eleanore Strong | Aug 4, 2011 | Issues, News, News & Opinion, State Abortion Policy

Today, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed HB 2093 into law. This Act extends the list of persons required to report child abuse or neglect to include any physician, physician’s assistant, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, medical technician, certified...

Obama Administration: Health Care Plans Must Cover Abortion-Causing Drugs

by Eleanore Strong | Aug 1, 2011 | Issues, News, News & Opinion, State Abortion Policy

The Obama administration announced Aug. 1 that insurance plans must cover without cost to women contraceptives that can cause abortions. Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), said last year’s controversial health-care...

Indiana Asks Federal Appeals Court to Lift Order Blocking Planned Parenthood Defunding

by Eleanore Strong | Aug 1, 2011 | Issues, News, News & Opinion, State Abortion Policy

Indiana has asked a federal appeals court to lift a judge’s order blocking parts of a new law that cuts some public Planned Parenthood funding. In a brief filed Monday, Indiana says the issue should be decided by Medicaid officials and not the courts. Gov. Mitch...

Florida Governor Rick Scott Signs Four Pro-Life Bills into Law

by Eleanore Strong | Jul 30, 2011 | Issues, News, News & Opinion, State Abortion Policy, Ultrasound

Today, at a ceremonial bill-signing at the governor’s mansion, Florida governor Rick Scott signed four pro-life bills into law. The bills included House Bill 97, which strips abortion coverage from health insurance exchanges created through the Affordable Care...