NAF's Report on Federal and State Action on Abortion
Issues
July, 1999
In the States
Action on so-called "Partial Birth Abortion Bans":
7/9- The Oregon Senate approved legislation that would ban so-called "partial birth abortions." Governor John Kitzhaber (D) has said he will veto this bill.
7/12- Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan (D) vetoed legislation that would have banned so-called "partial birth abortions." Carnahan noted that the measure "is specifically intended to violate constitutional rights recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court." The legislature is likely to override his veto
Contraceptive Coverage:
7/9- New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen (D) signed into law a bill requiring insurance companies to offer coverage for prescription contraceptives if they cover other prescription drugs.
Other State News:
6/30- Officials from the Missouri Department of Health signed a contract with Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region that will allow the group to continue to receive state funds for their family planning programs for two additional months. The state legislature had passed a provision in the state budget that requires clinics that receive state funds to separate their abortion and family planning services, including employees, wages, computers, and waiting rooms. Two Planned Parenthood affiliates had filed suit against the state challenging the constitutionality of this provision. The state then filed a countersuit charging that "family planning contracts issued by the Department of Health purposely failed to restrict funding going to Planned Parenthood."
7/23- The Oregon Senate approved a spending bill that eliminates state money for abortions. Governor John Kitzhaber (D) has stated that he will veto the measure.
In the Courts
7/2- In Florida, state officials agreed to further delay the implementation of their new parental notification measure. The Center for Reproductive Law and Policy, on behalf of NAF clinics, providers, and women's organizations are challenging the law, arguing that the measure violates the state's constitutional guarantee of privacy.7/6- Abortion providers in Louisiana filed suit to block a new clinic regulation law. On 7/26, a judge issued a temporary injunction, blocking the state's enforcement ability for an unspecified period of time.
7/12- A federal lawsuit was filed against Louisiana's new late-term abortion restriction, which "violates Supreme Court precedent concerning abortion and ignores medical knowledge of human development." This law attempts to establish fetal viability at 22 weeks, six weeks earlier than current law. On 7/13, U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance issued a temporary restraining order blocking the enforcement of this law until January.
7/16- In Virginia, a U.S. District Judge ruled that the state's so-called "partial birth abortion" law is unconstitutional and "places an undue burden on a woman's right to get an abortion."
7/16- Louisiana's parental notification law was challenged in federal court after a minor was refused a judicial bypass. The suit claims that the system does not function properly and that the law is unconstitutional.
7/16- Federal Judge David Coar issued a nationwide permanent injunction that prohibits anti-choice leaders from "damaging clinic property and threatening violence against doctors and patients." NOW v. Scheidler is the first nationwide class-action lawsuit filed against anti-choice organizations under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
Around the World
6/30- The United Nations held a Special Session to follow up on the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development held in Cairo. The session was aimed at implementing the plan of action that was issued after the 1994 conference. The National Abortion Federation participated as an international non-governmental organization.7/9- The Canadian Supreme Court ruled that a six-year-old boy could not sue his mother for disabilities caused from a car accident while the mother was pregnant. The court found that the boy has no legal right to sue his mother for the injuries received as a fetus.
7/20- Exelgyn, "a private company owned by one of RU-486's inventors," plans to market RU-486 in Canada in the next six months. They will apply for registration after the U.S. approves the drug.
