ACLU of Delaware’s Post

In this week's newsletter: ✔ A new report from the National Health Law Program examining the Medicaid telehealth medication abortion (TMAB) coverage policies in six key states. ✔ The largest study to date on how guaranteed income impacts people's livelihoods from Open Research Inc. While this study did not focus exclusively on pregnant or parenting people, many guaranteed income pilots being tested around the country focus on pregnant people and low-income families with children. Policies that build families that can thrive are not only important economic justice policies but vital reproductive justice policies too because economic resources give people real power to make meaningful decisions about what is best for their bodies, families, and communities.  ✔ A Rewire News Group report on the dwindling resources available to critical abortion funds, despite a constantly shifting legal landscape that makes them more vital than ever. Sign up now to receive the latest in reproductive health, law, policy, and events: https://lnkd.in/gvDjEuHi

As the worst of COVID-19 subsided in 2022 and a trigger law banning most abortions went into effect upon the fall of Roe v. Wade, Kentucky was already among the worst-performing states for women’s health. This insight comes from The Commonwealth Fund’s 2024 State Scorecard on Women’s Health and Reproductive Care, a first-of-its kind ranking that examined health outcomes, insurance coverage, abortion restrictions and other measures in all states and Washington D.C. Released Thursday, the report shows Kentucky had many fewer maternity care providers than the national average in 2022 — 69 per 100,000 women ages 15–44 compared with an average of 79 nationally. MORE: https://lnkd.in/ecUFG6bN

While not wading into politicians specifically, just needed to absolutely correct a statement that abortions 'aren't happening' at 8 months gestation and more. There are 13 states that allow late term abortion past viability (considered 22-24 weeks) and in our state of Maryland they absolutely happening everyday of the week at 2 late term abortion clinics. While those reported equal 10K a year past 20 weeks, that doesn't include many non reporting states like Maryland. So with 2 operating late term abortuarys here alone, that number is much larger. Here it is in the words from one of them. https://lnkd.in/e4ksPBSp

Today, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in Idaho v. United States and Moyle v. United States, before issuing a ruling this summer that has the potential to further diminish lifesaving pregnancy and miscarriage care in abortion-hostile states. Denying healthcare care by giving a fetus “patient” status rights in emergency departments is playing Russian Roulette with people’s health, particularly in states where abortion is banned or restricted. If Idaho officials win this case, people who seek follow-up care for self-managed or telemedicine abortion will be fearful of criminal charges or civil actions against them and may dangerously avoid emergency rooms altogether. Emergency healthcare professionals are already facing tremendous pressure in states that are hostile to abortion. They should be able to provide evidence-based care and adhere to medical ethics, which call for rapid and effective intervention as soon as an emergency is identified. Instead, they are expressing distress at having to delay essential patient care, fear of criminal charges, or loss of license. ACT is working in coalition with legal experts and emergency healthcare providers to empower them to provide care to pregnant people. Read more about our efforts, and what’s at stake in EMTALA on our website here: https://lnkd.in/gsXrY_J7

📢 It's time for Black Maternal Health Week 2024 #BMHW24, led by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. (BMMA)! At CHN, we stand with BMMA to affirm the right for Black Mamas to live and thrive despite the barriers of racism, poverty, and structural policies that affect their access to quality reproductive healthcare. The reversal of Roe v. Wade has only exacerbated disparities in abortion access for Black Mamas and birthing people. According to the CDC, Black non-Hispanic women accounted for the highest proportion of abortions in 2021. We need #ReproductiveJusticeNOW! #BirthJustice #MaternalEquity #BlackMaternalHealth 

One of the most glaring moments from the recent presidential debate was when a candidate inaccurately claimed that women get abortions in the ninth month. This statement needed immediate fact-checking. According to the New York Times, almost half of abortions occur within the first six weeks, and nearly all are done in the first trimester. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 6 in 10 women who have abortions are already mothers, and half of them have two or more children. As Dr. Upadhyay pointed out in New York Times, one of the main reasons for seeking an abortion is to provide better care for the children they already have. If the focus is truly on protecting life, we need to shift our attention to the living. Childcare costs are skyrocketing, making it unaffordable for many families, and gun violence continues to threaten our children, with two school shootings already recorded this school year. Our priority should be supporting parents, especially moms who carry the heaviest burden of care, improving the wages of caregivers and the quality of childcare. #CareEconomy #ReproductiveRights #AffordableChildcare #GunViolencePrevention #TheCareGap

Today (4/24) the United States Supreme Court is hearing Idaho v. United States and Moyle v. United States, a case that could force doctors to deny pregnant people the emergency treatment that they need. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, also known as EMTALA, is a longstanding federal law that guarantees treatment for anyone experiencing medical emergencies, including those from pregnancies, with no exceptions and no matter what state they live in. The people behind this case want to exclude pregnant people from the protections of EMTALA as part of their broader agenda to ban abortion nationwide. They are hoping that the Supreme Court will rule that in states that ban abortion, state law will override the federal law that requires hospitals to provide emergency treatment in cases where terminating a pregnancy is the appropriate treatment for a pregnant person's emergency. The Colette Louise Tisdahl Foundation stands with pregnant people who are put at risk by these laws. The Supreme Court must uphold the right of every individual to get the emergency health care they need — and that must include pregnant people who need abortions. You can read more about this case at https://lnkd.in/gwrHmYNv #SupremeCourt # USSC #EMTALA #HighRiskPregnancy #PregnancyHealthcare #AbortionAccess #HealthcareEquality #ReproductiveJustice #CLTF #ColetteLouiseTisdahlFoundation

🔗 Read my full take on the Safe Access Zones Provision and what it means for healthcare providers here: https://lnkd.in/eNUUjkeh Safe Access Zones: Protecting Healthcare or Restricting Free Speech? In October 2024, Safe Access Zones will be enforced around abortion clinics in England and Wales, designed to protect patients and healthcare providers. However, this has reignited debates on reproductive rights and the right to protest. I see this introducing new liability risks for clinics, from emotional distress claims to legal challenges. Clinics must prepare for these evolving challenges. How do we balance safe access to healthcare with the right to peaceful protest? #SafeAccessZones #MedicalMalpractice #ReproductiveRights #HealthcareSafety #FreeSpeech #HealthcareLiability #ProtestRights #WomenInBusiness #RoevWade #PatientRights #ReproductiveHealthcare

As physicians, we are committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive care to all patients, regardless of their background or financial situation. However, the Hyde Amendment continues to create unjust barriers that prevent millions of low-income individuals, particularly those relying on Medicaid, from accessing essential reproductive health care, including abortion services. The Hyde Amendment disproportionately harms Black/Indigenous/people of color, those living in poverty, and underserved communities, exacerbating the very health inequities we strive to eliminate. Denying abortion coverage limits patients' autonomy and ability to plan their families, lives, and futures. Health care providers: our responsibility is to advocate for policies that ensure equal access to care for all patients, not just those with financial means. Ending the Hyde Amendment is not just about reproductive rights—it's about justice, fairness, and providing all patients with the care they deserve. Repealing the Hyde Amendment is crucial in making healthcare accessible and fair for everyone. It's time for us to stand together and support the end of this harmful policy to fulfill our duty to provide care without discrimination or financial barriers. #HealthEquity #EndTheHydeAmendment #ReproductiveRights #Healthcare

Headed to Netroots Nation? Join us Saturday at 1:30pm for our panel on How We Won Ohio Issue 1: Messaging on Abortion and Faith. The victory for abortion access in Ohio would have been impossible without our panelists, who will discuss how to use faith-based language in abortion advocacy. The anti-abortion movement is exclusively religious, so we must become fluent in religious messaging on abortion, fertility treatments, gender-affirming care, and more. #NN24