An excerpt from Chapter 2 of “The Unfit Heiress: the Tragic Life and Scandalous Sterilization of Ann Cooper Hewitt” by Audrey Clare Farley—a story of eugenics and women’s reproductive rights framed by the sordid court battle between Ann Cooper Hewitt and her socialite mother.
Tag: Sexual and Reproductive Health
FDA Allows Telemedicine Abortion During Pandemic
The FDA issued long-awaited guidance lifting a restriction on the abortion pill mifepristone for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The move permits telemedicine abortion.
The announcement came in response to a long-running campaign by activists and medical professionals to get the FDA to lift the in-person distribution requirement on mifepristone.
Constitutional Rights for the “Unborn” Would Force Women to Forfeit Theirs
If the unborn have 14th Amendment rights, any loss of pregnancy, whether intentional or not, will become the basis for arrest and prosecution. Pregnant people could be sued, or prevented from engaging in travel, work or any activity that is believed to create a risk to the life of the unborn.
The Weekly Pulse: Birth Control Users Question J&J Vaccine Pause; Biden Reverses Domestic Gag Rule
For The Weekly Pulse, we’ve scoured the most trusted journalistic sources—and, of course, our Twitter feeds—to bring you this week’s most important news stories related to health and wellness.
This week: updates on the pandemic as cases rise worldwide; birth control users question the FDA pause on distribution of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine; the Biden administration bolsters reproductive health by lifting medication abortion restrictions and undoing the domestic gag rule; and more.
Feminists Celebrate Biden’s Reversal of Title X Domestic Gag Rule—a Win for Reproductive Freedom
Just three days into Black Maternal Health Week, the Biden administration initiated a roll-back of the Trump-era domestic gag rule—a policy which strips Title X funding from any provider who offers abortion care or provides referrals for these resources.
As a State Lawmaker and Black Woman, I’m Committed to Treating Maternal Justice as Racial Justice
“Maternal care for Black women is a public health crisis and racial justice issue,” writes Massachusetts state Rep. Liz Miranda. “It is critical that state legislatures—both here in Massachusetts and across the country—pay attention and take action.”
The American Rescue Plan Act Reveals the Importance of Investing in Reproductive Health Care
Last month, Congress passed President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill. On top of direct stimulus checks, the Plan also includes funding for schools and childcare, increased child tax credits and rental assistance. But another—frequently overlooked—priority of this bill is expanding access to sexual and reproductive health care across the country.
A Mother’s Plea: How Many More Dominican Women Must Die Under Draconian Abortion Bans?
“For nearly nine years, I’ve been without my daughter because the laws in my country put the value of her pregnancy above the value of her life.”
Right now, the Congress of the Dominican Republic—one of the few nations in the world where abortion is illegal in all circumstances—is weighing whether to update the country’s penal code to decriminalize abortion in certain instances.
No more debate; Dominican women need action. Now.
The ACA Has a Critical Role in Ensuring Access to Contraception For All
The Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive coverage requirement has increased the use of birth control among patients. But even with the measure in place, the pandemic took a toll on women’s contraceptive access to contraception, perpetuating inequities in access.
EACH Act: Ending A Decades-Old Abortion Coverage Ban, Prioritizing Freedom and Justice
After more than four decades of work, there is unprecedented momentum to end the Hyde Amendment. And today, we are one step closer with the introduction of the EACH Act by U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee, Ayanna Pressley, Diana DeGette, Jan Schakowsky, and U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth, Mazie Hirono and Patty Murray.
The EACH Act would reverse the Hyde Amendment, ensuring anyone who gets their insurance through Medicaid or other federal insurance will be covered for abortion and other pregnancy-related care.