Abortion Rights

Exterior of Planned Parenthood of St. Louis. Gray-painted bricks, blue signage.
Ayana Byrd  Aug 28, 2019 1:37PM EDT

Court Temporarily Blocks Missouri's Eight-Week Abortion Ban

But new restrictions—including for cases of fetal Down Syndrome—were allowed to go into effect.
people holding signs in support of Planned Parenthood and reproductive rights
Ayana Byrd  Aug 19, 2019 4:21PM EDT

Planned Parenthood Withdraws From Title X Program

“We believe that the Trump administration is doing this as an attack on reproductive health care and to keep providers like Planned Parenthood from serving our patients.” 
Alexis McGill Johnson. Black woman in a black dress stands in front of a white step and repeat with logos on it.
Ayana Byrd  Aug 9, 2019 1:28PM EDT

Planned Parenthood's New Leader On Racial Equity and Reproductive Health Freedom

Alexis McGill Johnson talks to Colorlines about bringing her life’s work as a racial justice organizer to the reproductive health care organization.
Leana Wen. Asian woman wearing a black sleeveless shirt, sitting behind a desk with a laptop computer on a brown desk.
Ayana Byrd  Jul 17, 2019 2:16PM EDT

Planned Parenthood President Exits as Organization Prepares for Political Fight

Dr. Leana Wen, who is leaving after eight months, maintains that abortion is a health care—not political—issue.
protest signs at a reproductive rights rally at Capitol Hill
Ayana Byrd  Jul 16, 2019 2:45PM EDT

New Blueprint For Reproductive Justice Hopes to Transform Health Care

More than 80 organizations wrote a manifesto to bring about new policies even as growing conservatism seeks to limit access to reproductive care.
outside of Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals building
Ayana Byrd  Jun 21, 2019 1:34PM EDT

Abortion 'Gag Rule' Goes Into Effect

Abortion providers in 49 states will lose federal money if they refer patients for the medical procedure.
Dr. Yashica Robinson. Black woman in white suit and black shirt sits at microphone with people behind her.
Ayana Byrd  Jun 19, 2019 2:00PM EDT

The Stakes Podcast Speaks to Alabama's Sole Abortion Provider

Host Kai Wright tours one of just three clinics that provide the medical procedure in the entire state.
a number of protest signs supporting abortion rights
Ayana Byrd  Jun 17, 2019 3:11PM EDT

NYC Funds Abortions For People From States With Restrictive Bans

It is the first time a city has used its budget to step into the national abortion battle.
outside of St. Louis Planned Parenthood with Missouri and U.S. flags
Ayana Byrd  Jun 3, 2019 10:32AM EDT

Missouri's One Abortion Clinic Will Stay Open—For Now

A judge temporarily stopped the state from revoking St. Louis Planned Parenthood’s license.
women hold signs in support of abortion rights outside Supreme Court
Ayana Byrd  May 29, 2019 10:11AM EDT

Supreme Court Issues Partial Ruling on Indiana Abortion Law

The justices did not rule on the part of the law that addresses the constitutionality of the medical procedure.
Black woman standing in front of signs supporting abortion rights
Ayana Byrd  May 28, 2019 1:34PM EDT

ICYMI: Court Blocks Mississippi's 6-Week Abortion Ban

In his ruling, United States District Judge Carlton W. Reeves began with four telling words: “Here we go again.” 
Roger Smitherman of Alabama state senate at a podium
Ayana Byrd  May 15, 2019 1:41PM EDT

Alabama Passes Bill That Effectively Bans Abortion

The nation’s most restrictive law was drafted with the hope that it will lead to the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.
Black man in white tuxedo and black glasses smiles while holding gold award statue in front of black and white and gold background
Ayana Byrd  May 13, 2019 4:25PM EDT

Hollywood Reacts to Georgia Abortion Law

Nearly $3 billion was spent in the state on television and film shoots last year. Now, producers are using that leverage to protest the restrictive law.
hands holding a sign that reads stop the war on choice
Ayana Byrd  Apr 24, 2019 12:13PM EDT

Court Blocks Trump Administration's Abortion 'Gag Rule'

A federal judge called the regulation a “ham-fisted approach to public health policy’” that would harm lower-income earning women.
Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. White building sits in front of a blue sky with scattered white clouds.
Ayana Byrd  Apr 10, 2019 2:03PM EDT

Senate Holds Hearing on Bill to Restrict Abortion Access

The Senate Committee on the Judiciary hearing was in support of a bill that seeks to make it illegal to have an abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Protesters hold signs. Two blue and white signs say, "Keep abortion legal." One black and white sign says, "Abortion kills a person."
Ayana Byrd  Apr 1, 2019 1:45PM EDT

Georgia Is Latest State to Ban Abortion After Six Weeks

The “heartbeat ban” is opposed by politicians, reproductive rights activists and prominent names in Hollywood and the business world.
Pro-Choice Abortion sticker
Ayana Byrd  Mar 22, 2019 2:45PM EDT

Mississippi Passes Restrictive 'Heartbeat Ban' Abortion Law

The state already has just one clinic to perform the medical procedure.
U.S. Supreme Court and protest sign supporting abortion
Ayana Byrd  Mar 19, 2019 11:59AM EDT

Maryland Aims to Leave Title X Program to Protect Abortion Providers and Patients

If approved, the state will refuse nearly $4 million in funding to create its own family planning program.
Marva Sadler. Smiling Black woman with dark brown locs, wearing gray, collared shirt
Marva Sadler  Mar 10, 2019 9:03AM EDT

Guided by Love, Abortion Care Providers Are Voices For Their Communities [Op-Ed]

On Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, Whole Woman’s Health’s Marva Sadler shares what guides her mission to provide quality, compassionate abortion care.
Planned Parenthood Protests Trump Administration's Title X Rule Change
Ayana Byrd  Mar 6, 2019 1:32PM EST

Medical Orgs, 22 States Sue Trump Administration to Block Abortion 'Gag Rule'

Leana Wen, president of Planned Parenthood, called the regulation “unethical, illegal and harmful to public health.”