National Abortion Federation Blog: Saporta Reporter

International Mourning Day Honors Dr. Tiller

2009-07-01T15:12:00.000-04:00

Today, women’s health advocates in Europe participated in an International Mourning Day as a tribute to NAF member Dr. George Tiller and a denunciation of his murder. Abortion clinics in Spain closed for the day, and health care professionals in Italy, Belgium, and France wore black armbands in a show of solidarity.

Dr. Tiller is truly a hero to his fellow abortion providers and his patients. We invite you to join those who have posted their memories of Dr. Tiller and condolences to his family on our blog.

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-07-01T12:21:00.002-04:00

I’m not working right now, and because of the economy my boyfriend was laid off of work. I’m also a full time student in college, with hopefully two years left if I can find a way to pay for it. My boyfriend and I love each other very much and do wish to have a family some day, but with the world taking the course that it is, it is best that we focus on finishing school and supporting each other rather than struggling right now to raise a family.

--submitted by Aimee* through a member clinic

In my hometown there is a women's crisis center. They say they give you clear, honest, and upfront information about all your options. I took my 19-year-old niece there to help her make the best choice for herself. I was horrified by the woman in charge. She told my niece that if you have an abortion they put razor blades inside you then suction the fetus out and place it on a tray to determine how far along you were. I had heard enough. I told my niece we needed to get out of there. The woman asked why and said she wanted to tell my niece about adoption. I told her that she had just lied to us once and I wasn’t going to sit there and listen to any more. I told her that I had an abortion and have since had children, and that the procedure was nothing like she was telling my niece. The worker then told me that my children were at higher risk for mental and emotional disabilities. Have you ever heard such insane comments?

My niece made her decision when she got the real facts on all her options from the NAF Hotline. I thank NAF for providing her with this information. There are so many young women with nowhere to turn for REAL non judgmental help, and then you have these sick twisted people scaring them. And many are government funded. It’s sick how they scare young women. I can’t believe it’s legal to be so ignorant.

--submitted by Valerie* through a member clinic

>Learn more about Crisis Pregnancy Centers.

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

B.C. Bubble Zone Law Upheld

2009-06-30T14:38:00.000-04:00

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear a challenge to a provincial law banning protests outside abortion clinics after 11 years of court proceedings. The Court confirmed a unanimous ruling by the British Columbia Appeal Court upholding the Access to Abortion Services Act or “bubble zone” law, which prohibits protesters from coming within 50 meters of reproductive health care facilities.

Anti-abortion extremist Donald David Spratt was arrested in 1998 for violating the Access to Abortion Services Act and has been challenging the law ever since. The day after this month’s Supreme Court decision, Spratt and a female protester were arrested outside NAF member Everywoman's Health Centre in Vancouver for again violating the bubble zone law. They are scheduled to appear in court this week.

>Learn more about clinic protection bills.

U.S. Appeals Court Upholds Virginia Abortion Ban

2009-06-26T15:01:00.000-04:00

Wednesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit upheld a Virginia abortion ban by a vote of 6-5. The decision reversed a 2-1 panel ruling in May 2008 that struck down the law on grounds that it would impose an “undue burden” on a woman’s right to obtain abortion care.

The 2008 ruling affirmed the same court’s 2005 decision to strike down the abortion ban, a ruling that prevented Virginia’s law from taking effect. However, in 2007 the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a federal abortion ban and ordered the appeals court to reexamine the Virginia ruling. Like the federal law, Virginia’s act prohibits certain abortion procedures after the first trimester and lacks an exception to protect women’s health.

In his dissenting opinion to the Wednesday decision, Judge M. Blane Michael emphasized that the Virginia law could also impose criminal liability on doctors who seek to perform legal abortions.

"This result places an undue burden on a woman's right to obtain a pre-viability second trimester abortion -- a constitutional right repeatedly reaffirmed by the Supreme Court," he wrote.

>Learn more about abortion rights in the states.
>Learn more about the federal abortion ban.

Wednesday's Words From Women

2009-06-24T12:52:00.002-04:00

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-06-17T15:58:00.006-04:00

Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.

When I was in my freshman year of college, I got pregnant even though I was on the "pill." I was so scared because I had plans for myself. I needed to finish school and get a good job and establish my life before I brought another one into this world. I wanted to have kids one day but I wanted to be able to give them everything they wanted. I didn't want to have my children, the people I would come to care for and love more than anything in the world, suffer for a mistake I made. I decided to get an abortion, and I had to travel 50 miles to the nearest clinic. Afterward I felt very relieved and went on to finish my freshman year with a 4.0. Now, 3 years later I have a beautiful one-year-old daughter who has everything she'll ever need because I was ready. I'm extremely grateful that I had the choice to wait so that my daughter may have a better life. Thank You.

-- submitted by Keisha* through a member clinic

I just want to say thank you and God Bless you to those who donate to this cause. This decision was hard to make; I am a single mom of three kids who just graduated. I really need to take care of the children I have and could not if I were to go through with this pregnancy. Thank you for allowing me to pursue my dreams of taking care of the children I have.

-- submitted by Katie* through a member clinic

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

Attorney General Decries Violence Against Abortion Providers

2009-06-17T14:52:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, Attorney General Eric Holder renewed his call for stronger hate crimes legislation, citing recent fatal shootings, including the murder of NAF member Dr. George Tiller.

Holder said nothing could justify the act.

"We will not tolerate murder or the threat of violence masquerading as political activism," he said. "And we will do all that we can to deter violence against reproductive health care providers and to prosecute those who commit such violence to the fullest extent of the law."

>See the latest statistics on violence against abortion providers.

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-06-10T23:34:00.004-04:00

It is not a the right time in my life to have a baby. I don’t have enough financial stability to take care of myself and the child that I already have. I just started school to make my life better for my child and future children. I thought long and hard about this alternativedecision, and. I think I’m making the right choice for me and my family.

--submitted by Lucinda* through a member clinic

I found out that I was pregnant and knew that I was not ready mentally or financially for such a huge responsibility. I am so thankful for NAF and the clinic. Thank you so much for allowing me to make an informed and important decision about my body and my future.

--submitted by Kendall* through a member clinic

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

Dr. Tiller's Family Closes Clinic

2009-06-09T18:28:00.000-04:00

Today we released the following statement in response to the announcement that the Tiller family will not re-open Women’s Health Care Services, Inc. in Wichita, KS:

For more than 35 years, Women’s Health Care Services, Inc. provided women
from Wichita and around the world with high-quality abortion care. The murder of
our member Dr. George Tiller has been a devastating loss not only for his
family, but for the abortion provider community and the many women who relied on
him for care. We respect the family’s decision to close the clinic, and our
hearts go out to them as they grieve during this very difficult time.

Although Women’s Health Care Services, Inc. will not reopen, our members
remain committed to ensuring that women are able to obtain the abortion care
they need.

>Post your comments, condolences, and personal memories of Dr. Tiller here

Remembering NAF Member Dr. George Tiller

2009-06-01T12:49:00.007-04:00

Yesterday, we suffered a tremendous loss when our beloved colleague and friend Dr. George Tiller was murdered in his church in Wichita, Kansas. It is with great respect and sadness that we send his family our heartfelt condolences. We join with our members in remembering and honoring Dr. Tiller’s life and his many contributions to women’s reproductive health care.

He was often seen wearing a button that read “Attitude is Everything,” and he maintained an amazing attitude and generosity of spirit throughout his life, despite the adversity he faced on a regular basis. Dr. Tiller learned to live with constant harassment and even survived a previous attempt on his life. However, despite these attacks, Dr. Tiller remained committed to providing women with quality abortion care because he knew how much his work affected and improved their lives.

His death is a devastating loss to his family, the abortion provider community, and the women who rely on him for care. He is truly one of our heroes and we will miss him greatly.

>Post a comment or memory about Dr. Tiller

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-05-27T15:54:00.004-04:00

I am a single mother of two children who love me more than life. When I found out I was pregnant, I had mixed reactions, but I knew I had to do what was best for my family. This was the best solution after much thinking. Thank you very much for helping me and my family to be stronger.

--submitted by Claire* through a member clinic

It is hard enough trying to make ends meet as a college student. Seeing that I have one more year to obtain my first degree, the abortion seemed to be the best decision for me. I have seen many females dropping out to support a child, and that is not the thing for me. I really appreciate all the support I have been given by the clinic. Words cannot express my gratitude enough, but for what it is worth, thank you so much for helping my life to be better.

--submitted by Chauncey* through a member clinic

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

Appeals Court Upholds Morgentaler’s Right to Challenge Abortion Policy

2009-05-22T15:52:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, the New Brunswick Court of Appeal dismissed the province’s appeal of a recent Court of Queen’s Bench ruling that gave NAF member Dr. Henry Morgentaler standing to challenge New Brunswick's restrictive policy on abortion funding.

Chief Justice Ernest Drapeau wrote in the decision that, “neither the Province’s primary nor its alternative contention comes close to passing muster.” The Court of Appeal was unable to find “even a hint of reversible error” and dismissed New Brunswick’s appeal. The Court also ordered the province to pay Dr. Morgentaler $5,000. The New Brunswick government is currently reviewing the decision.

Dr. Morgentaler is suing the New Brunswick government for its refusal to fund abortions at his clinic. According to Canadian law, an individual must have standing in order to bring a case forward. New Brunswick prosecutors have repeatedly challenged Dr. Morgentaler’s standing due to the fact that he is not a woman.

>Learn more about this case and New Brunswick’s restrictive abortion policy.

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-05-20T15:44:00.004-04:00

When I found out I was pregnant, instead of feeling that wonderful feeling you’re supposed to get, I was devastated. I knew that I was not emotionally or financially capable of having a child.

I know how much controversy surrounds what I am doing but I also know how many organizations and women have fought to give me this right. I take solace in the fact that I can obtain an abortion in a legal, professional manner. All in all, I cannot even describe how much I appreciate the ones who gave me the right to choose. Maybe one day I will have a child, but it needs to be when I am ready, and able to give the child a great life. Until then, I am truly thankful that I had the right not to carry this pregnancy to term at this unstable time in my life. Thank you.

--submitted by Amber* through a member clinic

I am 20 years old with a one-year-old daughter. I’m a single parent and I live alone with my child. I attend college and work full-time. It just isn’t the right time for me to have another child. Financially with this economy I can’t afford it, and emotionally it’s too much stress trying to struggle with it. I could possibly see myself having another child when the time is right: when school is done, the recession is history, and the demand for jobs is controlled.

--submitted by Lisa* through a member clinic

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-05-13T16:55:00.006-04:00

Recently I was in an abusive relationship where I feared for my life. After an almost fatal accident I learned I was pregnant. I knew I couldn’t have a baby by somebody who was capable of killing me so I decided to end the pregnancy. When I made the call to schedule an appointment they were more than helpful. I am very grateful and this is something that in a way saved my life.

--submitted by Sharice* through a member clinic

I am currently a single parent and a full time nursing student. Having a baby would impact my life for the worse right now, not the better. I graduate from school in eight months and I’m not ready to have another child right now.

--submitted by Tracey* through a member clinic

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

Spain to Make Plan B Available Without a Prescription

2009-05-12T17:08:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, Spain announced plans to make Plan B available over-the-counter in pharmacies without a prescription. Plan B, also known as emergency contraception, will be sold with no age restrictions within the next three months.

Currently, access to Plan B varies greatly by region. Some areas of Spain make it available free of charge in government health clinics, while other areas have more restrictive policies. Women in these areas are sometimes forced to visit several doctors before finding one who will prescribe Plan B. The new measure will require all regions to dispense emergency contraception without a prescription.

This broadened access to Plan B follows Spain’s announced preparations to draft legislation easing the country’s restrictive abortion law.

>Learn more about international abortion issues.

The President’s Budget Misses an Opportunity to Improve Women’s Access to Reproductive Health Care

2009-05-08T13:24:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, we released the following statement:

We are deeply disappointed that President Obama failed to strike federal funding restrictions on abortion care from his proposed budget.

Federal funding restrictions are the most significant barrier to abortion access for low-income women. These funding restrictions unfairly jeopardize the health and well-being of millions of women who rely on the federal government for their health care. Women affected include low-income women who are enrolled in Medicaid, Peace Corps volunteers, Native American women, women in federal prisons, and federal employees.

During these difficult economic times, it is more important than ever that all women have access to quality, affordable health care including abortion care. For 30 years, NAF has been operating a national, toll-free hotline to provide women with factual information, options counseling, referrals to providers of quality care, and limited financial assistance. In the last year, call volume to our Hotline has nearly tripled. We hear from thousands of women each week who are struggling to afford the abortion care they need. It is critically important that the health care needs of these women not be overlooked.

As we move forward with health care reform, we call on the President and Congress to work together to ensure that women have access to comprehensive health care, including abortion care.

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-05-06T15:07:00.009-04:00

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-04-30T10:15:00.005-04:00

Last December I made the choice to have an abortion. I feel no guilt for this, because I know what it's like to grow up with a parent who was unprepared for the job of parenthood, and was not ready to bring a life into the world. I knew that I was not prepared and nine months would not make me so. It's been a few months now, and still no sign of "Post-Abortion Syndrome" as a few lovely anti-choice websites like to call it. It was the best choice for me at this time.

--submitted by Elaine* though a member clinic

The reasons are many that each woman decides to end a pregnancy; for myself the list is quite long. I have lupus and am a single 43-year-old woman with three children at home and an adult child. My hands are full with the challenges of what I am responsible for right now and would be made increasingly worse with another child, no partner, and no support to raise a child. It's a hard and difficult choice to make, and for me the choice took a long time to make as it's not easy to do.

I will say that without the clinic, I am not sure what I would have done. The medical society out there, where I live, isn't very helpful and wasn't giving me the answers I needed. I needed to take care of myself and to be my own advocate. I would encourage every woman to be their own advocate and to do what is best for themselves, whether that is having a baby or terminating the pregnancy, it's our life that we have to live and we are responsible, not the doctors, nurses, neighbors, friends, etc.

--submitted by Patricia* through a member clinic

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

Wednesday's Words From Women

2009-04-22T16:08:00.005-04:00

I felt very lost when I found out that I was pregnant. I am already a mother of a beautiful two year old and times have been really hard lately because I lost my job. When I found out I was pregnant, I considered doing dangerous things to my body because I did not want to be pregnant. I felt like there was no hope. When I went to the clinic, they helped me and it was a great feeling. I did not have to worry or do anything dangerous. I feel so relieved and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I can now be healthy and be here for my daughter.

--submitted by Noreen* through a member clinic

I did not want to bring a child into the world under the circumstances that I am facing. It was not planned–I was taking antibiotics while on birth control. I have seven more months before my completion of being an LPN so before I bring another human being in this world I want to be sure that I am able to take care and be there for that child as I should.

--submitted by Savita* through a member clinic

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

Article Features Women’s Stories from Crisis Pregnancy Center

2009-04-20T12:20:00.002-04:00

An article published last week in Pasadena Weekly features accounts from women deceived by a local Crisis Pregnancy Center (CPC).

“I thought I was at a medical clinic,” recalls Judy, a 43-year-old mother of one, who mistakenly went into Avenues [Pregnancy Clinic] because it’s adjacent to her general practitioner’s office. “I don’t like what I went through,” she says. “It was a horrible experience—just manipulative. Deceptive! That’s what I feel—deceived.”

After hearing stories from women like Judy, reporter Tina Dupuy decided to go undercover and visit the same CPC and write about her experience. “I spent nearly two hours of my time to get an admittedly unreliable pregnancy test, [and] erroneous medical information,” Dupuy said. She was also forced to listen to a religious speech from one of the CPC workers and given inaccurate information about the effectiveness of contraception.

Many CPCs use deceptive advertising practices to mislead women into thinking that they are legitimate medical clinics that provide a variety of reproductive health care services, including family planning and abortion care. In reality, most CPCs do not provide full options counseling and generally will not refer for abortion care or birth control. In June 2006, NAF released Crisis Pregnancy Centers: An Affront to Choice, a comprehensive report outlining the ways that CPCs harass and mislead women.

>Share your story about an experience with a CPC.

Wednesdays Words from Women

2009-04-15T13:33:00.009-04:00

Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.

The ability to choose abortion has made a difference in my life by allowing me to continue following my dreams. I am an Airman in the United States Air Force waiting to leave for Basic Military Training in May. Without this opportunity at the clinic I would not be able to begin my military career.

--submitted by Cynthia* through a member clinic

>Learn about the other challenges women in the military may face when attempting to access abortion care.

I’m 24 years old and a mother of an 8 year old. I grew up alone without my parents around most of my life, but I’ve gotten strong. I am raising my daughter on my own. Unfortunately, I’m a single mother and am just getting by raising her, taking care of responsibilities, paying tuitions, and keeping clothes on us and food on the table. I love my daughter dearly, and I am a good mother as well as a good human being and the decision I’ve made today is totally the best for me. Having another child will add to the stress and I do not need that. This pregnancy was an accident, it wasn’t planned, and I need to think about my child and myself before I bring another child into the world. This was the best decision for me and I’m still the best mother I can be.

--submitted by Sharon* through a member clinic

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

Spain Considers Liberalizing Abortion Law

2009-04-14T19:07:00.000-04:00

Spearheaded by Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, the Spanish government is drafting legislation to ease the country’s restrictive abortion law and legalize abortion during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. Under current Spanish law, abortion is only permitted in limited cases of rape, congenital disorders, or to preserve a woman’s health or life.

Spain’s Minister for Equality Bibiana Aído said that while Spain boasted equality laws that were among the most progressive in Europe, the country was a laggard when it came to abortion. First trimester abortion is virtually unrestricted in most European countries, though it is still outlawed in Ireland. Two years ago, Portugal legalized abortion up to the 10th week of pregnancy.

Access to safe, legal abortion care is essential to women’s health. When abortion is illegal or highly restricted, many women resort to dangerous self-induced or back-alley procedures in order to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. In the United States and other countries, there has been a dramatic decrease in pregnancy-related mortality and morbidity rates since the legalization of abortion.

>Learn more about international abortion issues.

Wednesday's Words from Women

2009-04-08T15:30:00.006-04:00

I am a college student that finds it hard just to pay rent each month. I have been with my boyfriend for four years and have been careful, with one slip up. We are both in school and are not financially stable or ready to be parents. Thank you for providing the opportunity for us to have this abortion. Without your help, we would have a very big struggle ahead. Both of us find it very important to finish school and set up a life first. So, thank you very much!

--submitted by Alice* through a member clinic

If it weren’t for the clinic, I probably wouldn’t be here at all. My life was going down the tubes, and then I found out I was pregnant. If I hadn’t had the choice to terminate this pregnancy, I would have made the choice to end my life. In no way was I ready to give a baby a fulfilling, happy life, and having a baby would have ruined mine. Thank you to the clinic and NAF for all of your help getting my life turned around!

--submitted by Leah* through a member clinic

*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy

Film Highlights Consequences of Unsafe Abortion

2009-04-07T14:05:00.002-04:00

Today, April 7th, has been designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as World Health Day. Each year, WHO uses this day as a worldwide opportunity to focus on key public health issues that affect the international community. So it’s very appropriate that independent filmmaker Lisa Russell chose today to premiere her film Not Yet Rain. Produced in association with Ipas, the film follows four Ethiopian women who illustrate the importance of ensuring that women have access to the abortion care they need to protect their health and well-being.

Unsafe abortion is a worldwide public health crisis. In countries where abortion is still provided under unsafe conditions, maternal death and complications rates are high. Each year, 68,000 women—almost entirely poor women from developing countries—die from unsafe abortions and millions more are injured, many permanently.

For more information on this issue, or to order the DVD, visit: www.NotYetRain.org.

Appeals Court Upholds Life Sentence for Anti-Abortion Extremist

2009-04-06T17:30:00.001-04:00

Today, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan found no merit to challenges raised by anti-abortion extremist and murderer James Kopp, including an argument that his sniper-style slaying in 1998 of NAF member Dr. Barnett Slepian in the kitchen of his suburban Buffalo home was not intentional.

According to the court, “Kopp was convicted under a law that only requires that he acted with intent to injure Slepian because he had provided reproductive health services. The statute allows for a life prison sentence if death results.”

Kopp was sentenced in June 2007 to life in prison plus 10 years for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and for using a firearm to commit a violent act.

>Learn more about clinic violence and anti-abortion extremists.