A number of state legislatures and organizations put barriers between women and abortion care by directly interfering with a woman's medical care. Mandatory Counseling Requirements impose lawmakers into medical offices by forcing medical professionals to provide state-mandated information to women seeking abortion care. In many instances, the information they are required to provide may be false, such as the alleged connections between abortion and breast cancer or suicide.
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Featured Blog
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
"Florida's Racist Anti-Choice Bill Prompts Walkout by Female Legislators" (Amanda Marcotte, RH Reality Check,4/28).
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Kan. Gov. Brownback Signs Sweeping Bill With Several Abortion Restrictions
Monday, April 22, 2013
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback (R) on Friday approved a far-reaching antiabortion-rights bill (HB 2253) that restricts access to the procedure, penalizes entities associated with abortion providers and declares that life begins "at fertilization," the AP/Topeka Capital-Journal reports.
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Sweeping Kan. Antiabortion Bill Heading to Gov. Brownback; Wichita Clinic Opening for First Time Since Tiller's Death
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
The Kansas Senate on Tuesday voted 29-11 to pass a far-reaching antiabortion-rights bill (HB 2253) that restricts access to abortion care and penalizes entities associated with abortion providers, the AP/Chicago Sun-Times reports.
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Kan. House Approves Sweeping Antiabortion Bill, Rejects Proposal To Add Exceptions Late in Pregnancy
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
The Kansas House on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to a broad antiabortion-rights bill (HB 2253) with several provisions aimed at restricting access to the procedure and penalizing entities associated with abortion providers, the AP/Olathe News reports.
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S.D. Gov. Signs Bill To Lengthen Waiting Period Requirement
Monday, March 11, 2013
South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R) on Friday signed into law a bill that excludes weekends and holidays from the state's 72-hour waiting period before abortions, which would extend the wait to six days for a woman who seeks an abortion the Friday before a three-day weekend, Reuters reports.
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Kan. House Committee Approves Sweeping Abortion Bill
Monday, March 11, 2013
The Kansas House Federal and State Affairs Committee on Thursday approved a broad antiabortion-rights bill (HB 2253) with several provisions aimed at restricting access to the procedure, the Lawrence Journal-World/Kansas City Kansan reports.
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S.D. Senate Advances Bill To Extend 72-Hour Waiting Period Provision
Friday, March 1, 2013
The South Dakota Senate on Thursday voted 24-9 to approve a measure under which weekends and holidays would not count toward a mandatory three-day waiting period for women seeking abortions in the state, Reuters reports.
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Ky. Senate Approves Two Antiabortion Bills
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
The Kentucky Senate on Friday voted 31-4 to approve two bills that would require new steps before a woman could have an abortion, the Lexington Herald-Leader reports.
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Ind. Bill Would Require Abortion Providers To Give Women State-Developed Information To Dissuade Them From Abortion
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Two Indiana senators have proposed legislation (SB 101) that would require the state's health department to develop written materials that doctors would have to give to women seeking abortions, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports.
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Family Physicians Group Decries 'Legislative Interference' in Physician-Patient Relationship
Thursday, October 25, 2012
The American Academy of Family Physicians at a meeting last week passed resolutions supporting physician-patient confidentiality and the right of doctors to follow their consciences, MedPage Today reports.
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Salon Examines Everyday Impact of Abortion Laws on Doctors, Patients
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Although political battles over abortion frequently make headlines, the details of how abortion restrictions affect the lives of women and medical personnel day to day "tends to stay hidden inside clinic walls," Salon reports.
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State Laws Hinder Access to Abortion Information, Limit Women's Options, Experts Say
Monday, October 22, 2012
Although abortion is legal in the U.S., state laws are making it increasingly difficult for women to obtain abortions or even to get information about the procedure, the AP/Washington Post reports.
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Many States 'Twist Medical Evidence' in Abortion Laws, USA Today Editorial Argues
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Several opinion pieces and editorials on Monday discussed the significance of Rep. Todd Akin's (R-Mo.) remarks that pregnancy from rape is rare and that women's bodies can block a pregnancy from "legitimate rape."
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La. Abortion Laws Take Effect
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Two laws took effect on Aug. 1 that place further restrictions on abortion care in Louisiana, WRKF reports
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Recent Court Rulings Fail To Preserve Women's Constitutional Rights, New York Times Editorial States
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
"At a time when abortion rights and women's access to affordable contraception are threatened by political attacks, judges in three newly decided federal cases failed to preserve constitutional protections for women," a New York Times editorial states.
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S.D. Taxpayers Foot $377,735 Bill To Defend Antiabortion Law
Monday, July 30, 2012
The defense of a 2005 South Dakota abortion law has cost taxpayers $377,735, according to the state Attorney General's Office, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.
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Federal Appeals Court Upholds S.D. Abortion Law's Suicide Clause
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The full 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld a provision of a South Dakota abortion informed consent law that requires physicians to tell women that abortion increases the risk of suicide, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader reports.
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Judge Allows Some Parts of S.D. Abortion Law To Take Effect
Thursday, June 28, 2012
A federal judge on Wednesday ruled that South Dakota may begin requiring physicians to ask women various screening questions before an abortion, but other provisions in the same law will remain blocked until she rules on a lawsuit challenging the statute, the AP/San Francisco Chronicle reports.
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N.H. Senate Rejects Waiting Period Bill
Friday, May 25, 2012
The New Hampshire Senate on Wednesday rejected for the second time a bill (HB 1659) that would require women to wait 24 hours before obtaining abortion care, the AP/Foster's Daily Democrat reports.
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N.H. House Revives 24-Hour Waiting Period Measure
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
The New Hampshire House on Tuesday voted to revive a measure (HB 1659) that would require women to wait 24 hours before obtaining abortion care, the AP/ Boston Globe reports.
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Kan. House Passes Antiabortion Bill That Alters Tax Laws, Restricts State Employees
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
The Kansas House on Monday passed a bill (H Sub SB 313) by an 88-31 vote that would alter tax laws to bar indirect contributions to abortion providers and possibly jeopardize the accreditation of the University of Kansas Medical Center's obstetrics and gynecology program, the AP/Washington Examiner reports.
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Ariz. Gov. Brewer Signs Sweeping Antiabortion Bill That Includes 20-Week Ban, Medication Abortion Restrictions
Friday, April 13, 2012
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) on Thursday signed into law a bill (HB 2036) that includes several abortion restrictions, including a ban on the procedure after 20 weeks of gestation in nearly all cases and other limits on abortion, Reuters reports.
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Ariz. 20-Week Abortion Ban Goes To Gov. Brewer
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
The Arizona House on Tuesday voted 37-22 to approve a bill (HB 2036) that would ban abortion after 20 weeks of gestation in nearly all cases, the AP/U-T San Diego reports.
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Wis. Gov. Walker Quietly Signs Bills Placing New Restrictions on Abortion Care, Insurance Coverage, Sex Education
Monday, April 9, 2012
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) on Thursday signed three separate bills restricting abortion care and insurance coverage of the procedure, as well as imposing new requirements for sex education, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports.
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Wis. Medical Group Urges Gov. Walker To Veto Antiabortion Bill
Thursday, March 22, 2012
The Wisconsin Medical Society on Tuesday sent a letter to Gov. Scott Walker (R) urging him to veto a bill (SB 306) that would add more requirements for doctors in screening women before abortion care, the AP/Oshkosh Northwestern reports.
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Kan. Medical Center's Accreditation Remains Threatened by Antiabortion Provision
Monday, March 19, 2012
The Kansas House on Friday approved a budget amendment that could jeopardize the obstetrics and gynecology accreditation for the University of Kansas Medical Center's residency program, one day after a House committee amended an antiabortion-rights bill (HB 2598) to address that concern, the Huffington Post reports.
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N.H. House Approves Waiting Period, Counseling Requirements Before Abortion Care
Thursday, March 15, 2012
The New Hampshire House on Wednesday approved a bill (HB 1659) that would require a woman seeking abortion care to first wait 24 hours, during which time she would have to meet with a doctor to review information and materials about the procedure, the Huffington Post reports.
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Fla. Senate Rejects Bill To Mandate Waiting Period, Restrictions on Abortion Providers
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
The Florida Senate on Monday blocked debate on a bill (SB 290) that would have mandated a 24-hour waiting period before abortion care and imposed new regulations on abortion providers, the Miami Herald reports (Sanders/Klas, Miami Herald, 3/5).
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S.D. Senate Approves Bill To Modify Abortion Counseling, Waiting Period Law
Monday, February 27, 2012
The South Dakota Senate on Thursday voted 26-7 to pass a bill (HB 1254) that would alter a 2011 law that mandates a 72-hour waiting period and counseling at a crisis pregnancy center before abortion care, the AP/NECN reports.
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Wis. Senate Passes Bill Tightening Voluntary Consent Requirements, Banning Telemedicine for Abortion Care
Thursday, February 23, 2012
The Wisconsin Senate on Wednesday voted 17-15 to pass a bill that would place new restrictions on abortion care, the AP/Superior Telegram reports.
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Mich. House Panel Advances Abortion Coercion Bill
Thursday, February 16, 2012
The Michigan House Families, Children and Seniors Committee voted on Tuesday along party lines to advance legislation that would make it a crime to coerce a woman to have an abortion, the Kalamazoo Gazette reports.
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S.D. Committee Proposes Changes to CPC Counseling Requirement
Thursday, February 9, 2012
The South Dakota House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday voted 10-2 to approve a bill (HB 1254) that would alter a state law requiring women to obtain counseling at crisis pregnancy centers and wait 72 hours before receiving abortion care, the AP/Sioux Falls Argus Leader reports.
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Kan. Legislature To Consider Sweeping Antiabortion Bill
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Kansas lawmakers this week will consider a complex antiabortion-rights bill with provisions ranging from requiring that women receive warnings about the supposed risks of abortion care to changing medical malpractice and tax laws, the Huffington Post reports.
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Ky. Pre-Abortion Ultrasound, Counseling Bills Advance to Full Senate
Monday, January 30, 2012
A Kentucky Senate Committee on Thursday approved two bills that would require ultrasounds and in-person counseling before abortion care, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports.
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Federal Judge Allows Two Crisis Pregnancy Centers To Enter Case Against S.D. Abortion Law
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
U.S. District Chief Judge Karen Schreier has allowed two crisis pregnancy centers to intervene in a court case involving a South Dakota law that requires women seeking an abortion to wait 72 hours before the procedure, the Aberdeen News reports.
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Groups Challenge Constitutionality of N.C. Abortion Law
Friday, September 30, 2011
A coalition of five groups -- the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of North Carolina Legal Foundation, Planned Parenthood Health Systems, Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina and the Center for Reproductive Rights -- on Thursday filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the constitutionality of a North Carolina law that requires abortion providers to comply with specific requirements before a woman can have an abortion, ABC11-WTVD reports.
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Ariz. Appeals Court Rules That 2009 Abortion Restrictions Do Not Cause Undue Burden
Friday, August 12, 2011
The Arizona Court of Appeals on Thursday ruled that key parts of a 2009 state law restricting abortion services are constitutional and do not place an undue burden on women, the AP/San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
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N.C. Senate Votes To Override Veto on Ultrasound Bill, Making Restrictions Law
Friday, July 29, 2011
The North Carolina Senate on Thursday voted 29-19 to override Gov. Beverly Perdue's (D) veto of a measure (HB 854) that would require women to obtain an ultrasound and undergo mandatory counseling at least 24 hours prior to receiving abortion care, effectively making the legislation law, AP/WRAL reports.
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N.C. House Votes To Override Governor's Veto of Ultrasound Bill
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
The North Carolina House on Tuesday voted 72-47 to override Gov. Beverly Perdue's (D) veto of a bill (HB 854) that would require women to obtain an ultrasound and undergo mandatory counseling at least 24 hours prior to receiving abortion care, the AP/Raleigh News & Observer reports.
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La. Gov. Signs Bill Requiring Abortion Clinic Signs, Website on Alternatives
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) on Wednesday signed a bill (HB 636) into law that requires the state to make information about abortion and pregnancy options available online and mandates that clinics post signs stating, among other things, that it is illegal to force a woman to have an abortion, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
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Preliminary Injunction Sought Against Texas Ultrasound Law
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
The Center for Reproductive Rights on Thursday filed a motion for a preliminary injunction against a Texas law that requires a woman seeking abortion care to have an ultrasound and hear a detailed description of the fetus at least 24 hours before the abortion procedure, the Houston Chronicle reports.
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S.D. 72-Hour Waiting Period Law Temporarily Blocked
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
U.S. District Chief Judge Karen Schreier on Thursday granted a preliminary injunction against a South Dakota law that would require women to obtain counseling at crisis pregnancy centers and wait 72 hours before receiving abortion care, the AP/Washington Post reports.
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Planned Parenthood Takes Up Multiple Legal Challenges Nationwide
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Planned Parenthood is fighting an "increasingly aggressive campaign" against legislation in several states that restricts abortion rights or cuts off funding to the organization, Politico reports.
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Maine House Rejects Four Antiabortion-Rights Bills
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
The Maine House on Tuesday rejected four bills aiming to restrict abortion access, including measures related to waiting periods, pre-abortion counseling, parental consent and crimes against pregnant women, the AP/Boston Globe reports.
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Maine House Panel Considers Three Abortion-Related Bills
Thursday, May 5, 2011
The Maine House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday held hearings on three antiabortion-rights bills under consideration by the state's first Republican-led Legislature in decades, the AP/Washington Examiner reports.
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