Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Block On Kentucky's Abortion Ban Remains
A Kentucky judge granted an injunction on Friday that prevents the state鈥檚 near-total ban on abortions from taking effect, meaning the state鈥檚 two clinics can continue providing abortions, for now. Jefferson Circuit Judge Mitch Perry鈥檚 ruling says there is 鈥渁 substantial likelihood鈥 that Kentucky鈥檚 new abortion law violates 鈥渢he rights to privacy and self-determination鈥 protected by Kentucky鈥檚 constitution. (Lovan, 7/22)
In news on out-of-state abortion services 鈥
St. Louis has joined the growing list of Democrat-led cities seeking to help women gain abortion access, even in red states that have largely banned the procedure. Not long after Democratic Mayor Tishaura Jones on Thursday signed a measure providing $1 million for travel to abortion clinics in other states, Republican Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt sued to stop what he called a 鈥渂latantly illegal move to spend Missourians鈥 hard-earned tax dollars on out-of-state abortions.鈥 (Salter, 7/22)
In the waiting room at WE Health Clinic in Duluth, patients from Wisconsin and Texas sit among Minnesotans 鈥 the leading edge of an expected uptick in out-of-state patients following the Supreme Court鈥檚 removal of the federal right to abortion. (Ahmed, 7/23)
On other abortion news across the states 鈥
Indiana Republican lawmakers are pairing a proposal to ban nearly all abortions in the state with promises to boost spending toward helping pregnant women, young children and adoptions. Republicans say the proposals show dedication to mothers and babies. Democrats say Republicans have underfunded such programs for years and rejected earlier efforts to help pregnant women. (Rodgers and Davies, 7/22)
Most abortions will become illegal in Wyoming on Wednesday after Gov. Mark Gordon gave the go-ahead Friday under a new state law. The law bans abortions except in cases of rape or incest or to protect the mother鈥檚 life or health, not including psychological conditions. (Gruver, 7/22)
State legislators have turned their attention to their neighbor to the south for guidance and direction about how to navigate a newly restrictive legal landscape in the U.S. regarding abortion. Mexico's Supreme Court decriminalized abortion last year, loosening decades of restrictive laws in the predominately Catholic nation, leading to more permissive laws in several of its states. (Edelman, 7/24)