Reproductive Rights

Abortion Ban For American Indians Only

The new rule, sponsored by scandal-scarred Sen. David Vitter, adds a race-specific layer to a federal law that prohibits abortion coverage under federal health programs.

Abstinence-Only Education Endures

At least on part of Newt Gingrich's 1994 "Contract With America" lives on.

Another Year for Abstinence-Only Education Funding?

Tucked into a Medicare spending bill that passed the House yesterday is a provision that would extend a controversial abstinence-only education program for another year. It's so controversial that 22 states have actually opted out of taking the funding. Two more states have said they plan to decline the funds when the new fiscal year begins in October. The AP reports:

Dingell to Investigate 'Abortion' Search Ban

In the wake of news that a federally funded reproductive health database was programmed earlier this year to ignore searches containing the word "abortion," Congress has gotten in on the act.

Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) announced today that the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which he chairs, will investigate the manipulation of the Population Information Online database, run by The Johns Hopkins University and funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Reports indicate that university employees blocked "abortion" searches after USAID officials expressed concerns that two articles contained in the database centered on abortion advocacy.

McCain Ducks on Birth Control Coverage

PORTSMOUTH, Ohio -- This delightful exchange between Sen. John McCain and a reporter took place aboard the Straight Talk Express bus during the trip from Huntington, W. Va. to the town hall meeting in Ohio. One of McCain’s senior advisers, Carly Fiorina, caused the senator a bit of discomfort when she brought up the inequity of insurance coverage for impotence drugs for men, but not birth control for women. Here is the unedited transcript, from the pool report:

McCain's Birth Control Dodge

Proposals have bounced around the Hill for years, but insurance industry opposition, conservative ideology and a male-dominated Congress have all worked to kill such measures.

More Stupid TV

The Today Show ran a groveling interview with ex-Playboy bunny and newfound alternative med-queen Jenny McCarthy on Wednesday. The text of the interview is here, on the Website of the anti-vaccine group Age of Autism.  The way that the alleged journalists on this program fawn over McCarthy is troubling:

Planned Parenthood Teams Up With MoveOn.org Against McCain

When you watch Planned Parenthood's new viral Web ad, you may get a strong feeling of déjà vu. You might notice it has essentially the same premise as an ad -- starring actor John Cusack -- that was recently released by MoveOn.org, the liberal 527 group. That's because the two advocacy organizations are joining forces in a "kNOw McCain" campaign, to link the presumptive Republican presidential nominee to the views and policies of President George W. Bush. Actually, the Planned Parenthood ad takes it a step further, asserting that McCain is actually more anti-reproductive rights than Bush.

Pro-Sex Rebellion Spreads to Des Moines

Iowa is the 17th state to turn down federal funding for abstinence-only sex education, reports the Iowa Independent.