Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Abortion foes hailing birth of a new nation
Despite setback of ACA repeal, groups see chance for wins
Opponents of abortion have had reason for optimism this year. With Republicans in control of both chambers of Congress and a president who’s embraced their cause, access to the procedure has appeared in greater jeopardy than it has in years.
Abortion opponents were dealt a setback last week when Senate Republicans failed to approve a bill to roll back the Affordable Care Act. All the versions up for a vote would have cut federal funding for Planned Parenthood for one year, a long-sought goal.
Mallory Quigley, spokeswoman for the anti-abortion Susan B. Anthony List, said the votes will be a major disappointment to the “pro-life grassroots” who knocked on doors, made phone calls and rallied to get like-minded lawmakers elected. But she added, “I think what is important to note is that the pro-life elements were not the cause of failure for the bill.”
“This was an area of unity for Republicans,” she said. “So I do think that there are going to be more wins in the future.”
Abortion foes aren’t waiting on the federal government to act, however. Conservative state lawmakers have passed a rash of restrictive laws in battlegrounds such as Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri and Texas.
Proponents of reproductive rights are fighting back and have persuaded federal courts to block some measures that could place an “undue burden” on a woman’s ability to obtain a legal abortion.
Here’s a recap of what’s been happening in the abortion war at the White House, in Congress and around the country: is not viable before an abortion can be provided at 20 weeks or later, except in a medical emergency. Laws adopted in Arkansas and Texas include bans on a commonly used second-trimester procedure known as dilation and evacuation. Similar measures are already in effect in Mississippi and West Virginia; although courts have blocked Arkansas and at least four other states from enforcing them.
Other measures approved this year include ones mandating that women receive an ultrasound before undergoing an abortion (Iowa, Kentucky and Wyoming), imposing restrictions on the disposition of fetal remains (Arkansas and Texas) and introducing additional requirements for minors seeking the procedure (Indiana, Louisiana and West Virginia).
Republican lawmakers in Iowa decided to set up a wholly state-run family planning program — forgoing about $3 million in annual funding from Medicaid — so they can exclude organizations with ties to abortion providers. As a result, Planned Parenthood says it had to close four of its 12 health centers in the state. Texas and Missouri have taken similar steps.
In Arizona, GOP lawmakers included a provision in the state budget that could divert about $2 million in federal Title X grants from Planned Parenthood. The move could jeopardize five health centers, according to the group. Kentucky and South Carolina also took steps to deny funds for family planning services to organizations that provide abortions.
Planned Parenthood and other defenders of reproductive rights have been making their case to lawmakers and staging protests around the country. In some states, Democrats stepped in to protect or expand abortion access.