Reproductive Health Under Attack
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Keep in mind that most are amenable to having oscopy or ectomy added. I think doctors do that all the time.
Abortion More Readily Available in California
California’s efforts to expand access to abortion care are enabling more types of medical practitioners to perform certain abortion procedures — potentially a boon for patients in rural areas especially, but a source of concern for doctors’ groups that have long fought efforts to expand the role of non-physicians. This story also ran on San Francisco Chronicle.
The latest move is a law that enables trained physician assistants, also known as physician associates, to perform first-trimester abortions without a supervising physician present. The measure, which passed last year and took effect Jan. 1, also lets PAs who have been disciplined or convicted solely for performing an abortion in a state where the practice is restricted apply for a license in California.
Physician assistants are now on par with nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives trained in abortion care, who in 2022 won the ability to perform abortions without a doctor present.
The need for more abortion care practitioners is being driven by efforts in many states to gut abortion rights following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision ending constitutional protection for the procedure. Thirty-one states have implemented abortion restrictions that range from cutting federal funding for abortion coverage to outright bans, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization concerned with reproductive health.
Of course, the American Medical Association is opposed. Let me share a story. Over 100 years ago the AMA opposed midwifery. They were above board. They said it was a medical procedure and they wanted the fees.
After the Supreme Court’s decision to remove rights from women by striking down Roe v Wade the number of abortions in California increased by 20%. mostly from out of state people seeking care they are denied at home.
Women’s Health in Your State
Explore the latest national and state-specific data and policies on women’s health - some states far exceed others
Here is a link to a really useful Kaiser Family Foundation website. Input your state and discover facts and data on:
Abortion Policies: State gestational limits, waiting periods & ultrasound requirements, insurance coverage and medication abortion restrictions
Abortion Data: Share of abortions by age, gestational age and method type
Maternal and Infant Health: Data on births by race/ethnicity, teen birth rates, preterm and low weight births, and maternal and infant mortality
Demographics: Age distribution, race/ethnicity, poverty level
Coverage: Health insurance coverage, ACA Medicaid expansion, Medicaid eligibility levels, Medicaid family planning programs, coverage policies on contraception and fertility care
Access and Utilization: Rates of cancer screenings, HPV vaccination, provider visits
Health Status: Rates of breast and cervical cancer by race/ethnicity, physical and mental health status, chronic conditions, pre-existing conditions
Sexual Health: Data on rates of STIs, HIV infections, cervical cancer screening and incidence
More Reproductive Healthcare Lies
Anti-women politicians spread a lot of lies. Life begins at conception. Not so, pregnancy begins when the fertilized egg attaches in the uterus.
I mention this because right wing Republican theocrats are running around claiming that life begins at conception. The reason for their spreading this falsehood is that there an active movement afoot to declare contraception illegal. Morning after contraception works by preventing the attachment.
Striking down the right to an abortion sent a woman’s right to privacy straight to hell.
The strategy they used there can be repeated for contraception. It is the right to privacy.
In 1965, the Supreme Court ruled in Griswold v. Connecticut that the Constitution protects the right of marital privacy against state restrictions on contraception. The case involved Estelle Griswold, the head of Planned Parenthood in Connecticut, and C. Lee Buxton, a gynecologist at the Yale School of Medicine. They opened a birth control clinic in New Haven in violation of a 1879 Connecticut law that banned the use of contraception.
The 1965 decision established a constitutional right to privacy regarding reproductive decisions. This decision paved the way for the legalization of birth control for unmarried couples.
The Court's decision has been cited in later cases, including:
Eisenstadt v. Baird (1972): Extended Griswold's holding to unmarried couples.
Roe v. Wade (1973): Cited in the concurring opinion by Associate Justice Potter Stewart.
Obergefell v. Hodges: Cited in a chain of cases that led to the Supreme Court legalizing same-sex marriage.
Action
Let’s remind our Members of Congress and Senators that they need to pass at least 3 bills to protect women. Contact info in the Resources section and the bills are
H.R. 12/S. 701 - The Women’s Health Protection Act
H.R. 767/S.4467 - Protecting Access to Medication Abortion Act
H.R. 4121/S. 1999 - Right to Contraception Act
Our use RESISTBOT on your cellphone by texting SIGN PAVVGX to 50409 to send the message below.
“I am your constituent and I am so angry. I just learned that right wing Republican theocrats are attempting to make contraception illegal. Justice Thomas said he would welcome the case. The right to privacy is under attack and I need you to stand up and protect women.
Support, cosponsor and be vocal about
H.R. 12/S. 701 - The Women’s Health Protection Act,
H.R. 767/S.4467 - Protecting Access to Medication Abortion Act
H.R. 4121/S. 1999 - Right to Contraception Act
Your constituents are depending on you. Thank you.”
RESOURCES
Healthcare Advocacy (Us)
Website
Our Newsletter resources including reproductive healthcare
Healthcare Advocacy Reading List
Find My Elected Officials
Contact the White House https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Contact State and Federal Representatives
By phone: (202) 224-3121
By email: democracy.io
Important Healthcare Resources
League of Women Voters Healthcare Reform Toolkit
Organizations to Contact
National Nurses United Medicare4All
Physicians for a National Health Program
One Payer States
Healthcare Now
Reproductive Health
NARAL - Pro Choice America
Charley. chatbot abortion resource - make sure to use a secure incognito browser if you live in a state that has banned abortion
Planned Parenthood
Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline has references about where to procure abortion medications. They also assist women in the process of self managed abortion or miscarriage by phone or text and will respond in an hour. Details and hours of operation at their website.
United State of Women Reproductive health page (bottom of the page) has important resources such as medical support, access to Telehealth, prescriptions by mail, and legal support references.
Practice careful communications - The Digital Defense Fund has a number of tips to keep texts, calls, and internet use private. Here is their site.
If you need financial help with an abortion try abortionfunds.org
Claims Denials and Appeals & What to Do
Appeal a Healthcare Decision
Appeal/Negotiate a Hospital Bill
Disinformation Management
Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency
Save Democracy
Chop Wood, Carry Water by Jessica Cravens
RESISTBOT
Link to the RESISTBOT site to learn more
Link to Chop Wood, Carry Water RESISTBOT write up
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