Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Advocacy Groups Demand Speaker End House's Planned Parenthood Investigation
Dozens of liberal-leaning advocacy groups are demanding that GOP leaders immediately halt their probe into Planned Parenthood, which they argue sets a "dangerous precedent" for congressional investigations. In a scathing letter sent Monday, the groups urge Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) to disband the 10-month investigation that they claim exists solely for political purposes. (Ferris, 7/11)
Lawyers for abortion providers have asked a federal judge to block new Alabama laws that ban abortion clinics near schools as well as the procedure most commonly used in the second trimester. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a request for a temporary restraining order before the laws go into effect Aug. 1. The group said the location restriction would close two of the state's busiest abortion clinics, while the procedure ban would severely curtail second-trimester abortion access in Alabama. (7/11)