Survey finds that people want more information from their primary care provider about fertility; they report having fertility concerns dismissed by healthcare providers; and feel that healthcare providers lack sensitivity in discussing fertility related issues.
Greg Olear continues his valuable reporting on the coterie of hard-right Catholics who have such influence on our federal government and who control the Supreme Court as a bloc. The coterie includes Leonard Leo, who is the kingmaker for the court, Kevin Roberts of Heritage Foundation, and Robert P. George of the Federalist Society.
Kristen Thomason reports on how anti-abortion groups rooted in religious bodies are now using TikTok to spread doubts about artificial contraceptives, with active buy-in from some celebrity "wellness gurus" influential in youth culture. This initiative is being heavily funded by hard-right funders, and its ultimate goal is to extent the right's war on abortion to birth control.
Jason Sattler says that if you don't want to read the 920-page prescription of policies Project 2025 informs us Republicans will enact if given control of the federal government again, then read just one sentence, which sums up the whole project:
"'But the Dobbs decision is just the beginning.'
That would be the governing philosophy of a second Trump regime."
"Although women have been talking about IUD pain for years, the complaint has become more prominent as younger IUD users make the case on social media that women are not given adequate options to manage their pain."
Kristen Thomason notes that the right-wing Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a lower court ruling that gives Alex Deanda of Texas the right to deny his daughters access to birth control available through the federal government’s Title X free contraception program.
"Texas has become a pipeline for right-wing legal decisions. Deanda v. Becerra is just the latest case engineered by conservative backers and run through a court system stacked with sympathetic judges willing to legislate from the bench to impose their bigoted interpretation of Christianity on the country.
Unfortunately, with Trump-appointed judges presiding at every level of the judiciary, this machine may just be getting warmed up."
Why are lies about the effects of contraceptives on young women spreading like wildfire now on social media? Jill Filipovic says,
"A concerted effort by conservative anti-abortion groups to sow distrust in the very medications that prevent abortions — and keep women free and independent."
"The anti-abortion movement (a term that is itself inadequate, given that this movement is also anti-contraception and anti-IVF) is using the legislatures and the courts to try to ban or limit access to some of the most highly-effective contraceptives. They’re using social media to foster distrust of birth control among young women."
#MarilynLands, a Dem who made #ReproductiveRights a centerpiece of her campaign in deeply #conservative#Alabama, won a special election to the Alabama Legislature.
Lands’ victory in the suburban district in the #DeepSouth state was celebrated by #Democrats who have attempted to portray the state #GOP as too extreme on #abortion & reproductive rights.
“Today, #Alabama women & families sent a clear message that will be heard in Montgomery & across the nation. Our legislature must repeal AL’s no-exceptions #AbortionBan, fully restore #access to #IVF, & protect the #right to #contraception,” #MarilynLands said.
"With a stroke of a pen Tuesday morning, Gov. Kathy Hochul guaranteed birth control access for women in New York...As of Tuesday, all pharmacies across the state are allowed to dispense three types of contraception: The pill, ring or patch. Women in New York, or even those just visiting New York, can purchase up to a year's supply without visiting a doctor."
"Federally funded family planning centers in Texas must receive parental consent before prescribing birth control to teenagers, an appeals court ruled Tuesday, partially upholding a decision from a lower court...It’s the highest profile legal challenge to birth control access since Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022, and could be appealed to the Supreme Court."
There are no easy ways to establish reproductive rights in America including the right to an abortion. I don’t see Democrats gaining enough Congressional control for Biden to carry out his promise to “sign a bill.” Elie Mystal says it can only be possible through enlarging the Supreme Court. https://www.thenation.com/article/society/to-preserve-abortion-rights-biden-must-expand-court/
"The first over-the-counter birth control pill will be available in U.S. stores later this month, allowing American women and teens to purchase contraceptive medication as easily as they buy aspirin...A one-month supply will cost about $20 and a three-month supply will cost around $50, according to the company’s suggested retail price. It will also be sold online."