News

Interest Groups Lobby for, Against Inclusion of Birth Control on List of No-Cost Preventive Services

July 26, 2010

Interest groups are seeking to influence the Obama administration's decision on whether to include birth control on the supplemental list of women's preventive services that health insurers will be required to cover without out-of-pocket costs for the consumer, CQ Weekly reports (Ethridge, CQ Weekly, 7/26). The new health reform law (PL 111-148) requires insurers to provide coverage of a range of preventive services currently recommended by health experts, such as wellness visits,...Read More >

Obama Administration Applies Stupak Amendment to High Risk Pools

July 15, 2010

This week, a commotion arose over the question of whether Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plans, also known as high risk pools, can include abortion coverage. The Obama Administration responded immediately by imposing a total ban on abortion coverage in the pools that echoes the Stupak Amendment, even though nothing in the law requires such action. PCIPs are temporary health insurance pools that states or the federal government must establish or expand in every state to cover people who...Read More >

Rep. Boehner Says He Will Co-Sponsor Bill Codifying Hyde Amendment

June 28, 2010

June 28, 2010 — At an antiabortion-rights conference on Saturday, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) said he will co-sponsor legislation that would ban federal funding for abortion services, The Hill reports. Boehner made the pledge at the 40th annual National Right to Life Convention, where he received the group's "Legislator of the Year 2010" award for his involvement in abortion-related issues during the health reform debate. According to Boehner, Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) will...Read More >

Planned Parenthood Action Fund Endorses Congressman Joe Sestak In Pennsylvania Race for US Senate

June 15, 2010

Planned Parenthood Action Fund Endorses Congressman Joe Sestak In Pennsylvania Race for the U.S. Senate The Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, announced its endorsement of Democratic candidate Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania’s upcoming race for an open seat in the U.S. Senate. “The Planned Parenthood Action Fund is proud to endorse Joe Sestak for U.S. Senator,” said Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood...Read More >