Millions of Americans might lose access to birth control. Why? – Opinion

It’s not that there’s no more money for the program; Congress has appropriated the funds. It’s not that clinics are not competent to provide the care; Title X has been in place for almost 60 years. Instead, the funding may run out at the end of March – endangering the health and safety of millions … Read more

‘Damaging and punishing’: Birth control clinics serving millions face federal funding cliff

“The repercussions for critical health care will be catastrophic,” the senators wrote. “Any gap in Title X funding could result in over two million patients losing access to contraception and preventative care, worsen maternal health outcomes, and increase sexually transmitted infections. It will also risk layoffs of essential health care providers and staff who provide … Read more

House panel advances measure to cut off Planned Parenthood from Medicaid funds

A key House panel on Wednesday advanced legislation that includes a provision aimed at cutting off Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood, a longtime goal of congressional Republicans. …. “Make no mistake, Planned Parenthood is being targeted,” Alexis McGill Johnson, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood, said at the news conference. “Just like any other … Read more

White House nixes proposal to make insurance cover over-the-counter birth control

With Trump set to take office next week, expansion of the birth control mandate is unlikely. Trump has wavered on his approach to contraception policy, but his previous administration took steps to weaken the Affordable Care Act’s birth control mandate. Republicans, who now control Congress, have expressed interest in weakening provisions of the 2010 health … Read more

Is it safe to have a child? Americans rethink family planning ahead of Trump’s return

On 6 November, the number of people booking vasectomy appointments at Planned Parenthood health centers spiked by 1,200%, IUD appointments by more than 760% and birth control implant appointments by 350%, according to a statement provided to the Guardian by Planned Parenthood. Traffic to Planned Parenthood’s webpages on tubal ligation, vasectomies and IUDs has also … Read more

TikTok is being flooded with birth control misinformation. Is it stopping women from taking it?

Whether social media is causing a significant portion of the population to get off birth control is unclear. In another study published in Health Communications in September, researchers found that women who interacted with these posts reported intentions to stop using birth control, suggesting posts do have an influence on viewers, said study author Emily … Read more

Birth control on the ballot as abortion bans increase barriers to family planning

An estimated 19 million women of reproductive age are now living in so-called contraceptive deserts, counties where people have trouble accessing a range of birth control options, according to data from the reproductive rights nonprofit Power to Decide. The right to contraception is protected by two landmark Supreme Court cases. Some Supreme Court justices have … Read more

How a Trump Win Would Threaten Access to Birth Control and Emergency Contraception

Before the ACA, birth control made up between 30 and 44 percent of women’s out-of-pocket health care costs, according to a KFF analysis. After the legislation took effect, the cost of contraception of all kinds fell dramatically — including IUDs, the cost of which dropped 68 percent. Project 2025 — the Heritage Foundation’s blueprint for Trump’s … Read more

The Right Is Cracking Down on Abortion and IVF. Is ‘Recreational Sex’ Next?

The plans are already beginning to take shape. As previously reported by Rolling Stone, Republicans have floated enforcing the Comstock Act, a zombie law from the 19th century, to criminalize the inter-state shipping of abortion medication. The outdated law also includes broad prohibitions on the mailing of materials considered “obscene, lewd, lascivious, indecent, filthy, or … Read more

“We Need to Defend This Law”: Inside an Anti-Abortion Meeting With Tennessee’s GOP Lawmakers

In the chat, Lynn asked for advice on answering questions about in vitro fertilization and the morning-after pill. IVF, a fertility treatment, generally involves creating multiple embryos, and some may ultimately be discarded. The morning-after pill is emergency contraception that prevents pregnancy if taken soon after unprotected sex. Some wings of the anti-abortion movement would … Read more