Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Controversial 'Abortion Reversal' Laws On Books In 15 States
Anti-abortion organizations are pushing state lawmakers to promote a controversial and unproven 鈥渁bortion reversal鈥 treatment 鈥 flouting the objections of medical professionals who point out it is not supported by science. In the past several years, Republican lawmakers in at least 14 states have passed laws requiring health care providers to give patients information about abortion reversal. Kansas became the 15th state this year. Meanwhile, Democratic-controlled Colorado this year moved in the opposite direction, becoming the first state to effectively ban abortion reversal treatment, designating it as medical misconduct. (Claire Vollers, 11/30)
The Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday heard a case that could end up deciding whether abortion in the state should be protected under its constitution when it鈥檚 provided for medical reasons. Also at stake is the issue of how much agency doctors have to exercise their medical judgment in the treatment of the most complicated pregnancies 鈥 a power that the case鈥檚 plaintiffs claim has been lost under Texas鈥 current abortion laws. (Merelli, 11/29)
Tommy Tuberville said in an interview on Wednesday he鈥檚 considering dropping his months-long holds on military promotions over the Pentagon's abortion policy 鈥渟oon, but not today.鈥 The Alabama GOP senator said he and other Armed Services Committee members are 鈥済etting close鈥 to a resolution and will be holding more meetings on the subject later Wednesday with Chair Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and other members of the panel. (Everett, 11/29)
In other reproductive health news 鈥
For the fifth time in three years, the four Republicans on the Executive Council voted Wednesday to reject contracts with three organizations that had provided the majority of the state鈥檚 low-cost basic reproductive health care, such as cancer screenings, STD treatment, and contraception. (Timmins, 11/29)
Over 40% of Missouri鈥檚 114 counties are considered maternity care deserts, according to a recent March of Dimes report. Most of those 48 counties are rural and do not have access to obstetrics care or birthing hospitals. Jamaa Birth Village is piloting a midwifery satellite program that will offer prenatal and postpartum care next year to pregnant people near Springfield, Columbia and the Bootheel area to help reduce the health disparities among Black women living in rural areas. The midwifery clinic will also pilot the satellite program in St. Louis. (Henderson, 11/30)