Reproductive rights news covering abortion legislation, reproductive healthcare access, court decisions, and state-by-state policy developments.
Anti-abortion groups are increasing activism after a prohibition on Medicaid funding for abortion providers was excluded from the House Republicans' reconciliation 3.0 framework. The framework includes defense and farm aid but omits the defunding measure. A one-year ban on such funding expired on July 5.
This Associated Press analysis argues that US anti-abortion policies and funding are harming reproductive rights in Africa, leading to increased maternal deaths and harassment of healthcare providers. It contends that while US officials claim to protect lives, the restrictions result in more women dying.
A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking South Dakota from enforcing its law criminalizing abortion pill advertising, ruling the state failed to prove the law meets strict scrutiny. The lawsuit was filed by Nancy Turbak Berry and Mayday Health, which advertised abortion pills via gas station placards in December 2025.
The Gujarat High Court denied a 17-year-old rape survivor's request to end her 8-month pregnancy, citing risk to her life. The court ordered the state to cover all child expenses until adoption and directed interim compensation for the minor. The alleged rapist is her elder brother, arrested on July 10.
The author reflects on the lack of nutritional guidance for women after pregnancy loss, contrasting it with the abundant advice for pregnant and postpartum women. She argues that society's focus on feeding the baby overlooks the needs of those who have experienced loss, calling for more support and recognition of their grief.
This commentary argues that the concept of embryo personhood, once a fringe view among anti-abortion activists, is moving toward the mainstream of US reproductive politics. It contends that recent federal grant guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services, which describe IVF embryos as 'children who already exist,' reflect this shift and raise questions about the future of IVF.
A yearlong freeze on Medicaid funding for Ohio reproductive health clinics that provide abortion has expired, and clinics are working to restore services. Planned Parenthood permanently closed two clinics due to the cuts, and visits dropped 55% in Southwest Ohio.
This commentary argues that Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry is not legally required to defend the state's Medicaid abortion ban in court, and suggests she should decline to do so based on her discretion and policy objections. The piece contends that the ban is unconstitutional and that defending it conflicts with the attorney general's role as a progressive prosecutor.
Two Idaho gubernatorial candidates, Democrat Terri Pickens and independent John Stegner, said they would champion a ballot initiative to end Idaho's abortion ban if voters approve it in November. Constitution Party candidate Pro-Life said he would work to block or undo the initiative. Republican incumbent Gov. Brad Little and Libertarian candidate Paul Sand could not be reached for comment.
This commentary argues that a South Dakota law banning advertisement of abortion pill services likely violates the First Amendment when applied to a nonprofit website that links to third-party sellers. The author contends the law is a content-based speech restriction that fails strict scrutiny, as the site lacks commercial motivation and merely provides information.