Podcasts about srhr

There are many reasons why someone may require a third-trimester abortion, including both fetal implications and maternal implications (such as health diagnoses and difficult life circumstances). Dr. Shelley Sella, retired OB-GYN, first woman to openly provide third-trimester abortion care in the U.S., and author of Beyond Limits: Stories of Third-Trimester Abortion Care, sits down to share her expertise, discuss the multitude of reasons why someone seeks a third-trimester abortion, and touch on the personal stories shared in the book.Dr. Sella became involved in the women's health movement in college, which eventually sent her to medical school to begin her journey studying to be an OB-GYN. Dr. Sella was mentored by Dr. George Tiller, who provided late term abortions and who was assassinated in Kansas in 2009. Beyond Limits follows Dr. Sella during a week at the abortion clinic, sharing stories of patients requiring third-trimester abortions for a myriad of reasons. Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.social Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

Title X, under the Public Health Services Act, allows for a family planning and reproductive health-based pool of funding that government agencies and nonprofits can apply for and use to support patients. Providers who receive Title X funding see all patients regardless of insurance status and income level. Clare Coleman, President and CEO of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA), sits down to talk with us about the recent and extremely harmful changes to Title X announced by the new administration.At the beginning of April 2025, the government announced the withholding of 22 Title X awards. These awards, given consistently to projects who are years into their research, were rescinded with one day's notice. On an annual basis, this impacts about $66 million in Title X funds-- about a quarter of all Title X grants. As of today, there are no Title X funded services in eight states, and 15 other states have lost either some or most of their Title X funding. About 842,000 people were served under these grants, and the number of health centers that are affected totals 865. These changes will impact access to care (particularly for young people and those with low incomes), affordability, and contraceptive choice.For more information check outThe Nocturnists: https://thenocturnists.org/Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.social Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

T/W: Discussions of suicide in the last 1/3 of this conversationThe health, rights, and wellbeing of the LGBTQI+ community are under increasingly distressing strain, with a collection of new court cases only cementing the burden. Preston Mitchum, writer, policy analyst, consultant, star of Summer House: Martha's Vineyard, and Senior Fellow with rePROs Fight Back, sits down to talk with us about a host of Supreme Court cases that have broad and damaging implications for the health and rights of the LGBTQI+ community.  Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, Inc. is a SCOTUS case surrounding the Affordable Care Act's requirements for low-cost coverage of preventative services, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which is used by many different populations. This could threaten the affordability of an essential and effective medicinal treatment, pushing the price high enough that PrEP becomes inaccessible to many. Mahmoud v. Taylor revolves around school boards' inclusion of books featuring LGBTQI+ storylines in the school curriculum, citing a violation of religious rights. In addition to the above Supreme Court cases, A leaked budget showed that there would be significant funding cuts and elimination of services for 988— a three-digit number to reach the national suicide and crisis hotline. Preston's work was instrumental in the legislation that developed this number, which passed the House, passed the Senate, and was signed by President Trump in his first term. The line has counselors specifically for high-risk groups, including LGBTQI+ folks. 988 is still available if you need someone to talk to. For more information check outThe Nocturnists: https://thenocturnists.org/Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.social Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

The majority of people in the U.S. support abortion, yet access has been decimated around the country. That kind of disparity deserves evidence-based, practiced commentary, and we can think of no better doctors to share their experiences than Dr. Beverly Gray and Dr. Jonas Swartz, OBGYNs and co-hosts of the podcast Outlawed. They sit down to talk with us about being on the frontlines of abortion care in the U.S. at the moment and how their experience contributed to the desire to pursue their podcast. Both Dr. Gray and Dr. Swartz dispel myths on mic and in person, including that childbirth is safer than abortion (abortion is less risky than carrying a pregnancy to term), that fertility is impacted by abortion (it isn't), that abortions can be reversed (they can't), or that abortion can occur after birth (they can't). These myths can influence policy. In addition, Drs. Gray and Swartz interview incredible patients, providers, and advocates about their journeys in sexual and reproductive health. If you are interested in hearing information and stories from OBGYNs themselves, find Outlawed here.For more information check outThe Nocturnists: https://thenocturnists.org/Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.social Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

After personal experience with severe pregnancy complications and requiring a later abortion among a labyrinth of state abortion bans, Erika Christensen and Garin Marschall co-founded Patient Forward, a national strategy and advocacy organization. Erika and Garin sit down with us to talk about why people need abortions later in pregnancy, what barriers exist to accessing that care, and why government interference in pregnancy outcomes is overwhelmingly unpopular.  Further into pregnancy, the cost of care goes up, the number of providers goes down, and more and more restrictions go into effect. People require abortions later in pregnancy for a host of reasons, but often they are needed after 1) they learn that they are pregnant later in gestation or learn new information about the pregnancy, or; 2) they know care is needed earlier in pregnancy but are delayed by TRAP laws, abortion bans, economic reasons, and more. Many experience a combination of these factors which impact their access. You might be interested in the Public Health is Dead podcast: https://www.publichealthisdead.com/ 9o03Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.social Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

There's a grab bag of sexual and reproductive health news from around the U.S. From the wins to celebrate to the updates to keep an eye on, Garnet Henderson, investigative reporter specializing in sexual and reproductive health and disinformation, sits down to talk with us about a host of SRHR issues that are moving through the political and judicial landscape.  Issues discussed include: Nevada's parental notification law, blocked since 1985 and made permanent in 1991, was overturned recently by a judge and will go into effect on April 30th; the Trump administration has been citing “DEI” as a reason Planned Parenthood and other affiliate's Title X funding is being “reviewed” and threatened; the Supreme Court recently heard the arguments for Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic at the beginning of the month; and Wisconsin voters elected a Democratically-backed candidate to serve on the state's Supreme Court, despite Elon Musk's fundraising and $100 million dollars invested in the opposing candidate.You might be interested in the Public Health is Dead podcast: https://www.publichealthisdead.com/ 9o03Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.social Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

Within hours of the new administration's return-to-office, disorder took over. A foreign aid freeze, a stop-work order, and the dismantling of key foreign aid institutions commenced almost immediately. Gayatri Patel, Senior Fellow with rePROs Fight Back, sits down to talk with us about glimmers of hope for protecting this foreign assistance funding and relevant agencies, as well as how we can prepare for the realistic, long-term impacts of these attacks.  The assault on foreign assistance funding by the new administration—which includes the blocking of U.S. foreign assistance funding, including for development programs, humanitarian programs, and multilateral assistance—has led to the loss of food services, antiviral medications, and vaccines, among other things. This has resulted in severe harm and death. In addition, the dismantling of institutions, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the loss of funding and support for multiple UN agencies, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), will result in continued, long-term impacts on both U.S. and international programming. You might be interested in the Public Health is Dead podcast: https://www.publichealthisdead.com/ 9o03Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.social Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

This special episode of Walk Talk Listen explores the vital intersection of faith, gender justice, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Maurice is joined by three inspiring guests behind the new report 30 Years On: Faith in the ICPD Programme of Action: Rev. Dr. Elaine Neuenfeldt, Global Gender Justice Programme Manager at ACT Alliance and a theologian with deep expertise in feminist theology, faith-based advocacy, and inclusive organizational change. Dr. Paul Z. Mmbando, Medical Doctor and Director of Health and Diakonia Programs at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), with regional and global leadership in SRHR and public health. Dr. Nora Khalaf-Elledge, a gender expert and religious feminist with a PhD in Gender, Religion and Development, currently chairing the Gender-Based Violence and Faith Working Group at the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI). Together, they reflect on how faith actors across diverse traditions have consistently shown up for justice over the past 30 years, advocating for SRHR, countering backlash, and embodying love through action. Themes explored include: The unique role of faith actors in community-rooted SRHR efforts Multi-faith collaboration in policy and advocacy Faith, ethics, and feminist theological frameworks for gender justice What gives each guest hope—and what “duckie” they've had to put down to grow Listen in for a deeply moving and timely conversation on faith and justice. Stay tuned for the report release—coming soon via ACT Alliance and JLI.   Listener Engagement: Discover more about ACT Alliance via their Website. Check their Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube as well. Share your thoughts on this episode via walktalklisten. Your feedback is invaluable to us. Although we didn't ask a music question during this episode, please do explore the songs selected by previous guests on our #walktalklisten playlist here. Follow Us: Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast and Maurice by liking and following Maurice on Blue Sky, Facebook and Instagram. Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives. Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All," featuring Church World Service (CWS) and the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

April 11th- 17th officially marks Black Maternal Health Week—a week-long campaign centered on activism, awareness, and community-building for Black mamas and Black birthing people. Elizabeth Dawes, Director of Maternal and Reproductive Health and Senior Fellow at the Century Foundation and Co-Founder of the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, sits down to talk with us about the status of the Black maternal health crisis in the U.S. and the myriad, ongoing attacks to the Black community's health, rights, and wellbeing from the new administration. The U.S. maternal mortality crisis has seen an overall reduction in maternal death rates in every racial group except for Black birthing people-- due to racism and inequity at institutional, systemic, and interpersonal levels. This is despite continuous, targeted, and hard-fought advocacy since 2014. Solidifying key actors, distributing resources and funding, and amplifying direct, local care and Black-led initiatives can make a sizeable change and help tackle the persistent, systemic oppressions and health injustices disproportionately felt by Black individuals. You might be interested in the Public Health is Dead podcast: https://www.publichealthisdead.com/ 9o03Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.social Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

A new case with tremendous possible consequences for U.S. sexual and reproductive health and rights has made its way onto the Supreme Court docket. Medina v. Planned Parenthood of South Atlantic is a culmination of decades of anti-choice activist's attacks to Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health care providers, specifically targeting efforts to kick these providers out of Medicaid. Jessica Mason Pieklo, Senior Vice President and Executive Editor of Rewire News Group and co-host of Boom! Lawyered, sits down to talk with us about the implications of this case for the country's most vulnerable. The question in front of the Supreme Court is whether the Medicaid statute confers a right to its recipients to go to providers of their choosing. Not only does this open doors to re-defining “qualified” and “unqualified” reproductive health care providers, it allows an opportunity for legal conservatives on the court to meander around Congressional conferring of rights via statute. Oftentimes, Planned Parenthood affiliates are the only option for low-income, Medicaid patients. You might be interested in the Public Health is Dead podcast: https://www.publichealthisdead.com/ 9o03Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.social Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

鬼島之音在2025年2月25日舉辦了一場線下論壇，主題是「數位科技對人工流產權益的影響」，與談人有八位來自世界各國的生育資訊倡議組織，包含講述台灣觀點的 Zukkim 與 Zoe。本活動是 RightsCon 2025 世界數位人權大會在台北舉行期間的一場平行會議，由鬼島之音與 Repro Uncensored 生育無審查國際聯盟共同主辦。本集節錄部分活動現場英文原音內容，搭配 Zukkim 與 Zoe 回顧當天論壇的延伸討論，邀請聽眾一起了解當數位科技與生育、性教育、健康資訊產生交集時，可能產生的衝突與現正發生中的壓迫事態。Information suppression，字面翻譯為資訊壓迫，指的是網路空間針對特定內容的審查、移除與散播／接觸該類內容後可能產生懲罰性後果。使用者即無法發表相關言論或資料，尋求資訊的人也無法順利查詢所需的內容。政府、組織或平台也可能會利用數位資料例如個資、交易記錄、對話紀錄等等作為逮補、跟蹤、限制人身和言論自由的手段，很容易進展成線下的實際壓迫。SRHR —— Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights，指的是「性與生殖健康及權利」，當中也包含人工流產議題，是許多國家現受到資訊壓迫的主要資訊類型之一。這次主題要討論的就是因為數位科技的進步和普及，影響到很多人無法順利取得人工流產的資訊，進而侵犯到人工流產的選擇權。【本集回顧與討論點】・當人工流產是條「罪」美國羅訴韋德案遭推翻後，人工流產在許多美國的州被視為犯罪行為，即使是非自願的意外流產也可能會受到調查。在調查犯罪的名義下，政府可以從網路平台獲得當事人的網路搜尋、對話、購物等紀錄資料，作為調查是否蓄意人工流產的證據。提供醫療協助者與當事人身邊的親友也可能檢舉人工流產者，或者被視為加工流產的共犯。・獲取知識是基本人權許多主流社群平台與搜尋引擎等大型科技公司均來自美國，隨著羅訴韋德案的推翻，平台紛紛開始下架與阻擋人工流產相關資訊。不僅無法找到提供安全人工流產的醫療服務單位，連相關的正確知識都無法被傳播，此現象也擴及到性教育資訊。根據調查，美國青少年獲取性教育資訊的管道，有百分之七十一來自網路，正確的性教育與人工流產資訊消失後，後果令人擔憂。讓人民保有獲取正確資訊的管道，進而得以做出符合真實意願的選擇，是重要的民主精神之一。・CPC 危機妊娠中心 Crisis Pregnancy Centers，通常擁有宗教背景，網站與實體裝潢風格皆刻意模仿醫療診所風格，實際上可能並沒有合規的醫療執照。以「關懷懷孕婦女」為名吸引可能需要人工流產服務者，並用諸如勸導、欺瞞、脅迫等手段試圖使求助者放棄流產。因為實際上並不提供人工流產醫療服務，所以反而不受平台阻擋，可以下廣告大量曝光。．台灣也有危機相較於反對人工流產的國家，台灣仍擁有相對自由的空間。然而在歐美國家展現大規模影響力的保守勢力，也同樣活躍於台灣社會中 Zukkim 提到台灣的「彩虹媽媽」與「懷孕婦女關懷協會」正是此類組織，其影響力滲透台灣國民義務教育的現場，以及持續不斷地試圖影響立法方向。除此之外，台灣現行的〈優生保健法〉與〈人工生殖法〉也依然限制了妊娠者獨立決定終止妊辰的身體自主權，以及排除單身女性與同性伴侶的生育權。種種跡象彰顯各國仍將女性子宮公共化，也展現了當數位科技已然是當代生活的基礎時，如何同時成為行使人權的方式與限制人權的手段。Zukkim 也呼籲，在這個數位時代，別忘了人與人之間真實的交流、互動與連結，依然是珍貴且有影響力的。本集最後，Zukkim 與 Zoe 分享自己的心得與活動上的難忘時刻。鬼島之音也寫了一篇活動回顧文，還有一位觀眾在活動結束後寫了一篇英文報導發表在韓國時報！感謝所有當天蒞臨現場的觀眾朋友，也希望透過這集，能讓更多聽眾感受現場熱鬧氣氛，了解這些正在發生的重要的事。活動與談名單：Kate Bertash | Executive Director, Digital Defense Fund | 數位防衛基金 - 執行董事digitaldefensefund.org/Catherine Harry | Communications Manager, Women First Digital | 女性數位優先 - 傳播經理womenfirstdigital.org/Martha Dimitratou | Repro Unsensored Digital Strategist specializing in SRHR | 生育無審查 - 共同倡辦人，SRHR 數位策略師Jane Eklund | Lead Researcher, Repro Uncensored | 生育無審查 - 共同創辦人，首席研究員www.reprouncensored.org/Rhian Farnworth | SRHR Advisor, KIT Institute in Amsterdam | 荷蘭皇家熱帶研究所SRHR - 研究顧問｜Digital Coordinator, Share Net International | 國際共享網路 - 數位專員www.kit.nl/share-netinternational.org/Surabhi Srivastava | Media Innovative Lead, RNW Media | RNW 媒體 - 媒體創新主任www.rnw.media/張竹芩 | 公共衛生教授 | 《Z色派對》主持人李菁琪 | 律師 | 《Z色派對》主持人主持人｜Emily Y. Wu｜鬼島之音共同創辦人，《Z色派對》節目監製鬼島之音活動回顧文：https://www.facebook.com/ghostislandme/posts/1080595934085410?rdid=DhjWCYN7otcVyyYu#觀眾發表於韓國時報 Korea Times 上的活動報導：https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2025/03/197_393813.html《Z色派對》由鬼島之音 Ghost Island Media 製作、出品 主持 - ZUKKIM 張竹芩 & ZOE 李菁琪 企劃、執行 - 葉阿亭剪接、混音 - 小蔡監製 - Emily Y. Wu 追蹤我們的社群Facebook：https://fb.com/ghostislandme/IG：https://instagram.com/ghostislandme/官網：https://ghostisland.media/合作：web@ghostisland.media See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

rePROs Fight Back released its 13th annual 50-State Report Card on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. The United States, overall, received an ‘F' grade, while 5 states received an ‘A' and 25 states failed. Jennie Wetter, Director of the rePROs Fight Back initiative and host of the rePROs Fight Back podcast, sits down to discuss this staggering loss of rights and the continuous fight for our right to bodily autonomy with Tarah Demant, Interim National Director of Programs, Advocacy, and Government Affairs at Amnesty International USA. While 2024 had some bright spots, including abortion-related ballot measures passing in 7 of the 10 states where they were on the ballot, we are still experiencing the fallout of the 2022 Dobbs decision. The human rights crisis unleashed by that decision has led states to continue restricting abortion access and has emboldened anti-rights advocates to increase their attacks on gender-affirming care. Using 11 criteria, the 50-State Report Card ranks each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia on three broad indicators relating to reproductive health and rights: prevention, affordability, and access to services.You might be interested in the Public Health is Dead podcast: https://www.publichealthisdead.com/ 9o03Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.social Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) is a landmark federal law that revolutionized the right to emergency healthcare and provides crucial protections for pregnant people. Alexa Kolbi-Molinas, Deputy Director at the ACLU's Reproductive Freedom Project, sits down to talk with us about the status of the case and what we can continue to do to protect emergency abortion services.When EMTALA was originally passed by Congress in 1986, the law directed every hospital in the country with an emergency department to provide whatever healthcare was necessary to any individual who visited the hospital presenting with an emergency medical condition. This is especially important for pregnant people, who require intensive attention in and outside of emergency situations. For the nearly 40 years EMTALA has been in effect, it was understood across party lines that if someone needs emergency abortion care, EMTALA protects that access. But following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Idaho's extreme abortion ban did not feature an exception for those in emergencies. The Department of Justice sued Idaho to ensure EMTALA's nationwide reach and the case advanced to the Supreme Court. The lawsuit against Idaho has now been dismissed under the new administration. Find Intersectionality Matters where ever you get your podcasts: https://pod.link/1441348908Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.social Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

A complete lack of abortion access and a climate of fear amongst patients and providers has descended over Texas in the past few years. Wendy Davis, former Texas state senator and Senior Advisor for Planned Parenthood Texas Votes, sits down to talk with us about the current landscape for abortion access in Texas and her famous 2013 filibuster.Texas currently has a complete ban on abortion with extremely limited exceptions. Only a few years prior, in 2021, Texas passed SB 8, which banned abortion at six weeks of pregnancy and allowed virtually any private citizen the ability to sue someone who accessed or attempted to access an abortion. Recent ProPublica research has found data on increased poor health outcomes and death due to the impacts of the present abortion ban. The Texas legislature has denied the data to be reviewed by the state's Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee.Find Intersectionality Matters where ever you get your podcasts: https://pod.link/1441348908Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.social Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which was previously the largest bilateral donor across the world, was created in 1961 to use the U.S.'s soft power to influence and assist other countries. It has since grown into a department with more than 13,000 employees, the majority of which have worked overseas to provide emergency and humanitarian response, food assistance, economic growth activities, and more. Elissa Miolene, reporter at Devex, sits down to talk with us about the impact of the past few week's chaotic attacks to USAID.Within hours of President Trump returning to office, there was a foreign aid freeze, followed by a stop-work order. Disorder took over, with a Congressional communication that USAID would be downsized, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announcing he would take over USAID, and waves of furloughs and layoffs at the agency and with partners that USAID works with. The deterioration of USAID has, of course, resulted in people in countries around the world being unable to access dependable care and resources. Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.social Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

The first day of President Trump's administration, the outright attacks on the transgender community began. A drove of extreme executive orders has ruthlessly targeted transgender individuals' safety and wellbeing. Chris Geidner, author of Law Dork, sits down to talk with us about these heinous assaults, their already-felt impacts on transgender individuals, and what to expect in the near future.The Trump administration's collection of executive orders includes those that place rigid definitions on the term “sex” and force transgender women in prison to be housed in men's facilities, ban transgender women from competing in women's sports, declare transgender individuals unfit for military service, and prevent transgender children from accessing gender-affirming care. Multiple lawsuits have already arisen that challenge the initial executive order, which largely erases and others the transgender community. Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.social Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

The global gag rule, which prevents non-governmental organizations who receive U.S. global health funding from providing, counseling on, referring for, or advocating for abortion in their own country and using their own, private resources, has been reinstated by President Trump. Lori Adelman, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Global, and Caitlin Horrigan, Senior Director of Global Advocacy at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, sits down to talk with us about what the expanded global gag rule is, what it means for health practitioners and patients abroad, and how it can be repealed.When the global gag rule is in place, there is a deep disrupting in health service delivery, bolstering an anti-human rights agenda globally, undermining trust in medical providers, and weakening civil society allies. Communities have less access to centralized, essential care, which can force people to turn to unsafe methods of abortion. Thankfully, there are policy solutions. The Global Health, Empowerment, and Rights Act (Global HER Act), which was reintroduced this week, would take away presidential power to reinstate the global gag rule. Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.social Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

2024 marked the 30th anniversary of a host of significant moments for sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice. Dázon Dixon Diallo, Founder and President of SisterLove, Inc. and SisterLove International South Africa, sits down to talk with us about this momentous occasion, the timeline of reproductive justice, and a hopeful look into the future.In 1994, an array of geopolitical events set the context for women's leadership and representation. 1994 was also the year that a group of Black women in Chicago defined the concept of reproductive justice, the year that the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was passed, and the year that the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) was held in Cairo, Egypt, where 180 countries agreed upon the definition of sexual and reproductive health and rights. We can achieve similar progress 30 years from now, as long as the real implications of lack of abortion access and holistic access to sexual and reproductive health care and information continue to be understood.Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.social Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

Human rights are born out of the belief that every individual is equal and deserving of life, dignity, respect, and freedom. States must then deliver on those obligations. But through nominations, harmful policy, and mass confusion, the returning administration has a broad ability to dissolve human rights. Rori Kramer, Director of U.S. Advocacy at the American Jewish World Service, sits down to talk with us about the foundations of human rights and what we can expect from the coming administration.Human rights were codified via the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with the U.S. as an early champion. When these rights were established, they were indivisible and applied to all humans equally. At present, in some countries, authoritarian governments seek to criminalize democracy and the exercise of human rights. Some of these states are feeling empowered by the U.S. and its direction-- especially as the U.S. plays in outsized role in international human rights standards. In the first Trump administration, the Geneva Consensus Declaration and Commission on Unalienable Rights were used to shift and mold the framework of what human rights really are; those may return.Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.social Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

The incoming Trump administration won't just devastate sexual and reproductive health in the United States—the harm will absolutely ripple abroad. Rachel Clement, Senior Director of Government Strategy at PAI, sits down to talk with us about the prospect of global human rights under the incoming administration and potential harmful policy to come.Already, less than 1% of the U.S. budget goes to foreign assistance. And, under the Trump administration, it's incredibly likely that UNFPA will be defunded, in tandem with cutting funding in other UN spaces like the WHO, UNESCO, and UN Women. During the last Trump administration, the Geneva Consensus Declaration was created to undermine the United Nations and multilateralism in general, while the Commission on Unalienable Rights, out of the State Department, sought to re-define human rights; these tools and others like them might reemerge. In all, attacks to gender and sexual and reproductive health and rights around the world will be enormous, especially with the probable reintroduction of the expanded Global Gag Rule. Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

A new Supreme Court case, United States v. Skrmetti, will challenge Tennessee's Senate Bill 1, which prohibits gender-affirming care for transgender minors. Katelyn Burns, columnist for MSNBC, first ever openly trans Capitol Hill Reporter, co-host of the podcast Cancel Me Daddy, and co-founder of the publication the Flytrap, sits down to talk with us about this case and what realities the trans community will face under the new administration.  Tennessee's law would ban best practice medical care for trans youth up to 18, require youth being treated to cease care within nine months of the law's effect, and allow for private right of action against medical providers providing gender-affirming care. This specific case is aimed toward transgender minors but will be used as an entry point to target adult care, too. This is on top of extremely likely increases to attacks to transgender folks' health and rights under the incoming Trump administration, bolstered already by harmful cabinet nominees. Well, Now: Slate's podcast about health and wellnessSupport the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

After the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, and for many years before, Florida served as an abortion access point for many people in the South. But with changing judicial interpretation of “privacy” in the state, access to abortion in Florida has shifted. Laura Goodhue, Executive Director of Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, sits down to talk with us about the status of abortion access in Florida and the outcome of the state ballot initiative in the November 2024 election. After the passage of S.B. 8 in Texas and the overturning of Roe, clinics in the northern area of Florida saw a quadrupled number of patients coming in from out of state seeking care. In May 2024, Florida passed a 6-week abortion ban, which has drastically impacted access for both Floridians and those traveling for abortion care. This year's ballot initiative was aimed at passing a citizen-led Constitutional amendment clarifying that abortion is a decision to be left to a doctor and patient. It passed by 57%; but the current rule in Florida requires a 60% majority vote for the initiative to pass, so it did not go into effect. Find more information on Florida's Amendment 4 here.Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

Power to Decide, a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing sexual and reproductive wellbeing for all, has launched a new survey initiative called the Youth Reproductive Health Access Survey. It aims to collect annual data on young people's access to sexual and reproductive health services, with emphasis on contraception and abortion. Riley Steiner, Senior Director, Research and Evaluation at Power to Decide, sits down to talk to us about the survey's findings—including information gaps, preferences, and service provision related to young people's access to basic contraceptive care.The survey's data is collected online from approximately 1,000 young people ages 15-29, assigned female at birth. Power to Decide collected striking knowledge gaps and notable findings, including that a quarter of respondents indicated that they didn't have enough information to decide whether using birth control was the right thing for them and that a third of respondents indicated that they didn't have enough information to decide which birth control methods are right for them. Because there's a noted lack of information and access, Power to Decide's findings show that providers and advocates must think creatively to get young people the care they need. Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

Today is already stressful as is—that's why we thought it a perfect time for round 6 of our series, SRHR Hero Origin Stories! If you haven't already, check out our previous episodes, SRHR Hero Origin Stories, SRHR Hero Origin Stories: Round 2, SRHR Hero Origin Stories: Round 3, SRHR Hero Origin Stories: Round 4, and SRHR Origin Stories: Round 5, where we talked to a number of amazing heroes in the field of reproductive health, rights, and justice about how they began working in this space. We hope you enjoy the reprisal of our most popular podcast episode, talking to leaders about their work, passions, and journeys into the field of reproductive health for a fifth time!Guests include: Jennie Wetter – rePROs Fight BackShireen Rose Shakouri – ReproactionKate Kelly – Center for American ProgressManiza Habib – Population InstituteDázon Dixon Diallo – SisterLove, IncSarah Craven – UNFPA Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

On election day, Arizonans can vote to amend the state Constitution to establish the fundamental right to abortion. This amendment, which would undoubtedly increase access to abortion care, is especially salient given that Arizona has become an abortion access battleground state since the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision that overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Alex Gomez, Executive Director of LUCHA – Living United for Change in Arizona, sits down to talk to us about Proposition 139 and what its possible passage may mean for the future of abortion in the state.  Proposition 139, the Right to Abortion Initiative, would enshrine abortion access into the state constitution and conclude that Arizona may not interfere with an individual's pregnancy before the point of fetal viability (the measure also protects access past fetal viability in cases of protecting the life, physical, or mental health of the pregnant person). In addition, the ballot initiative would prevent punitive laws aimed at people accessing abortion, or those assisting them. Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

Disinformation around reproductive health and rights is highly strategic, leading to pervasive narratives that intentionally divide and control. Anneshia Hardy, scholar-activist, social impact entrepreneur, and narrative strategist, and Executive Director of both Alabama Values and Alabama Values Progress, sits down to talk to us about pervasive narratives and mis- and disinformation surrounding sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), particularly in the Black community, and how busting these narratives is crucial in the fight for bodily autonomy and liberation.  This conversation is rooted in years of historical context. In the U.S., Black women have faced generations of exploitation and control over their bodies, and much of this exploitation and control exists to this day. Other birthing people, including Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian people, as well as people with disabilities, have also faced reproductive violence in the U.S. Some of the most marginalized communities are also unduly impacted by false narratives around SRHR, including: SRHR is separate from racial justice or only a “woman's issue”; abortion bans are about “protecting babies,”; or abortion is a moral and religious imperative. Control over our bodies is fundamental to liberation, and these narratives not only impede—but disproportionately so—people's ability to live freely. Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

From self-care advice to an imaginary performance on the Great British Bake Off, Rachel Fey, Vice President, Policy, and Strategic Partnerships at Power to Decide, asks our host Jennie Wetter a collection of ask me anything (AMA) questions!Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

Abortion is a human right, ratified under state, national, and international treaties and tools. But even before Roe v. Wade was overturned, the United States was not meeting its human rights obligations. Tarah Demant, National Director of Programs at Amnesty International USA, sits down to talk with us about a new Amnesty report highlighting the status of U.S. abortion access since the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization Supreme Court case that overturned Roe. Because of Dobbs, and in partnership with subsequent state-based abortion bans, millions of people are facing increased barriers to abortion care. These barriers are, and always have been, disproportionately faced by different populations and communities in the U.S. Some elements that are impacting access to care post-Roe include the logistical and financial costs of travel, in-person requirements, the rise in pregnancy criminalization, and the criminalization of medical professionals and advocates. With exceptions (which do not provide as much flexibility as made to seem) stacked on top of these cases, access is incredibly difficult to achieve. Learn more in the Amnesty International USA report, accessible in the links section below.Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

The Global Gag Rule (GGR) prevents foreign non-governmental organizations that receive U.S. foreign assistance funds from providing, advocating for, counseling on, or referring for abortion services—and has successfully done so for 40 years. Beirne Roose-Snyder, Senior Director at the Preclusion Project, and Bergen Cooper, Senior Research Advisor at the Preclusion Project and Chief Operating Officer with the Torchlight Collective, sit down to talk with us about the history of this destructive policy, its long and heart-wrenching impacts, and what the future of the GGR might look like.  The GGR, introduced in 1984 by President Ronald Raegan, is a presidential memorandum that is either reinstated or revoked depending on which political party is in the Oval Office. In 2017, the rule was expanded by the Trump administration to apply to all global heath assistance funding. The GGR has, and continues to, affect LGBTQI populations, people living in rural areas, people living with disabilities, sex workers, and healthcare providers, when accessing or providing abortion, contraception, gender-based violence care, HIV /AIDS care, STI care, and more. With the possibility of a change in administration coming soon, the GGR under Project 2025 may extend its reach farther and worsen outcomes.Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

This month, the Purple Royale Podcast decided to document the lived reality of Thembile, a Transgender woman from Matebeleland Province, living with disability and HIV. An emotional story, that highlights the need for ending stigma and discrimination towards any transgender or intersex person. These are voices that are often silenced and we are proud of Thembile for sharing her experience of hope and resilience in the fight against HIV/AIDS, disability as well as discrimination towards one's gender identity or expression. With supporting voices from National AIDS Council and fellow community members. This initiative is further supported by Love Alliance, a partnership to build a unifying, strong pan-African movement that promotes access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for people most marginalized and affected by HIV. Together for Health and Human Rights.

 Next week, the Supreme Court term will begin. While there are no abortion cases on the docket yet, there are many cases that concern sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice and the rights of the LGBTQI+ community. Jessica Mason Pieklo, Senior Vice President and Executive Editor at Rewire News Group and co-host of Rewire News Group's podcast Boom! Lawyered, sits down to talk with us about some cases that face SCOTUS this term, as well as potential cases to keep a careful eye on.  United States v. Skrimetti, which will be before the Court this term, involves challenges to Kentucky and Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors, and whether those bans violate the equal protection clause of the Constitution. In addition, some cases that could make their way up the docket include a grouping of conservative attorneys general are attempting to bring back challenges to mifepristone access, Idaho's resurrection of EMTALA challenges, and Oklahoma's appeal to challenge the Biden administration on requirements for Title X funding. Lastly, a petition currently sits before the Supreme Court that could potentially end the case that green-lit wrongful death suits related to invitro fertilization in Alabama. Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

Economics and reproductive health and rights are connected issues. Especially in states where abortion is banned and contraception faces increasing attacks, associated costs for care can vary widely. Kate Bahn, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research at the Institute for Women's Policy Research, sits down to talk with us about the economic impacts of attacks to reproductive health and rights—on an individual, local, and national level.Access (or lack thereof) to abortion and contraception can carry a host of indirect and direct financial consequences. Costs from traveling to access abortion, obtaining childcare, and booking lodging can impact how people make their reproductive choices. Individuals can also be financially impacted by unplanned fertility outcomes, such as having a child at a time when they were not planning to. To learn more, you can find our podcast episode on the Turnaway Study with Dr. Diana Greene Foster here. Other financial considerations should also be afforded to those undergoing invitro fertilization and navigating miscarriage. In addition, research shows that those who have access to contraception and abortion experience more flexibility and exploration in academic and professional opportunities. Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

The Equal Rights Amendment, an amendment to the Constitution, protects people from discrimination on the basis of sex. Kate Kelly, Senior Director of the Women's Initiative at the Center for American Progress, sits down to talk with us all about the Equal Rights Amendment—its history, its importance for abortion access preservation, and what's necessary for certification.  The ERA, passed in 1923, is not a law but a constitutional amendment. Once put in, it cannot be removed. The ERA's introduction and popularity became a target for the conservative right, and its ratification has faced barriers ever since, including during the Trump administration. The current Federal Register archivist has said in her confirmation hearings that she will not certify anything she isn't instructed to, which leaves the U.S. at its current standing. Many organizations and Congresspeople, though, are pushing for the ERA's introduction into the Constitution as the 28th amendment. Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

The Midwest is a patchwork of different abortion laws—while some states like Michigan and Minnesota have protected access, others have completely banned care, like Indiana and Missouri. Garnet Henderson, Senior Multiplatform Reporter at Rewire News Group and host and producer of ACCESS: A Podcast About Abortion, sits down to talk with us about abortion access in the Midwest, including how it may be further impacted by recent funding changes to the National Abortion Federation and Planned Parenthood Federation of America.People residing in or near states that have banned abortion often travel to Illinois for care (although some may also travel to states like Nebraska, Minnesota, and Kansas), which was the state with the single largest increase in its abortion rate after Dobbs due to out-of-state travelers. These states are having to absorb skyrocketing rates of traveling patients on top of in-state patients seeking care. Iowa's abortion restrictions and abysmal access rates to OB/GYN care and maternity care has resulted in maternity care deserts across large swaths of the state, and a shocking 61% of hospitals in rural areas having no labor and delivery service. Simultaneously, the Justice Fund, a financial assistance fund for low-income patients which is shared between PPFA and NAF, has been reduced with less than a month's notice from 50% coverage per patient to 30%. This leaves patients with an even more shrunken lifeline to access.Support the Show.Follow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. The agency advocates for, provides access to, and educates on sexual and reproductive health and rights services.  Rebecca Zerzan, editor with UNFPA, sits down to talk with us about UNFPA's 2024 state of world population report, Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope: Ending Inequalities in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. Rebecca also details the ways in which global misinformation impacts access to care.UNFPA is the world's largest procurer of donated contraception, which is distributed mostly in low- and middle-income countries. UNFPA also works closely with local organizations and agencies to facilitate access to medically accurate, culturally sensitive education. UNFPA's recent report looks back over the last three decades, when the scale of maternal death was unknown, rates of adolescent births were higher, and rates of women's contraception usage was halved, and discusses global progress. The report also researches misinformation around the world and how that impacts an individual's access to comprehensive care.Support the Show.Follow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

In previous episodes, we've outlined Project 2025's reach into global governance, LGBTQI+ health and rights, and the international sphere. Sabrina Talukder, Director of the Women's Initiative at the Center for American Progress, sits down to talk with us about what the Heritage Foundation's conservative roadmap means specifically for U.S. sexual and reproductive health and rights.Project 2025 seeks to misapply the Comstock Act— a 150-year-old law which would allow enforcement power to investigate the U.S. mail for items of an “illicit,” “lewd,” or “immoral” purpose, including items related to abortion—as a national, backdoor abortion ban. Comstock could be applied not only to abortion education and medication sent through the mail, but medical equipment, as well. In addition, Project 2025 seeks to eliminate the Affordable Care Act, which protects free access to emergency contraception for 48 million women in the U.S. Project 2025 will no doubt negatively impact the U.S.' already abysmal Black maternal health crisis.Support the Show.Follow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

Many of the outlined ambitions of Project 2025 are focused around concentrating executive power, de-regulation, and religious protections, all of which have massive implications in the U.S. and around the world. Gillian Kane, Director of Global Research and Advocacy at Ipas, sits down to talks with us about the active, global reach of Project 2025 and Protego—in multiple countries and in global governance.  In the previous administration, the Geneva Consensus Declaration (GCD) was a tool to cement America and its allies as anti-abortion. This manifesto, signed by 36+ countries, pushes national sovereignty, “traditional” family structures, and anti-abortion ideology, and is used as a guide for Project 2025. Protego, a program designed by the Institute for Women's Health (IWH), is a new project dedicated to ensuring the GCD takes off. Valerie Huber, past member of the Trump administration and current head of the IWH, has traveled to multiple countries and spoken primarily to first ladies on the implementation of Protego. Valerie Huber is known to be anti-abortion, anti-LBTQI+, and a proponent of abstinence-only education. Support the Show.Follow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

In conflicts, disasters, and climate and health emergencies, many often consider food, shelter, and water to be the immediate needs of those impacted. While these are incredibly important requirements, women and girls are uniquely impacted by these emergencies, and sexual and reproductive health and rights must also be realized. Gayatri Patel, Chief of External Affairs at the Malala Fund and Senior Fellow with rePROs Fight Back, talks to us about the importance of SRHR provision in humanitarian settings.Gaps in healthcare access extend to abortion, contraception, gender-based violence and sexual violence counseling and care, STI testing/treatment, and more, often brought on by impacted health infrastructure and supply chains. The implementation, support, and prioritization of these comprehensive needs is a step in the right direction for protecting women and girls in crisis scenarios. Some new practices and approaches are showing promising results, and include mobile clinics, cash assistance, legal assistance and further availability of contraception and midwives. Support the Show.Follow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

Project 2025 is a broad vision regarding the future of the United States led by the Heritage Foundation. The project is hundreds of pages, centered on continuing a conservative United States through consolidating power in presidency, getting rid of civil servants, and further marginalizing already vulnerable communities. Sarah Warbelow, Vice President, Legal, at the Human Rights Campaign, sits down to talk with us about Project 2025's specific restrictions targeted at the LGBTQI+ community.Project 2025 seeks to gut protections against discrimination based on sex across education, healthcare, employment, and more. Project 2025 also seeks to rid the federal government's website of LGBTQI+ inclusive language, prevent access to gender-affirming healthcare, and prevent LGBTQI+ families from adopting children. Anti-LGBTQI+ policy in Project 2025 extends not only in the U.S., but around the world.Support the Show.Follow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

On June 27th, 2024, the Supreme Court punted Idaho v. United States consolidated with Moyle v. United States, which called into question whether federal law protects doctors who provide abortion care in a medical emergency. Jessica Mason Pieklo, Senior Vice President and Executive Editor at Rewire News Group and co-host of Rewire News Group's podcast Boom! Lawyered, talks to us about the implications of the punted case, as well as other Supreme Court rulings that have utterly gutted the administrative state.  Idaho v. United States consolidated with Moyle v. United States centered on the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), which upholds the right to needed healthcare in an emergency. The case centered around EMTALA wasn't decided on merit—instead, it was dismissed back to the lower courts. At the same time, there exists a similar lawsuit out of Texas questioning EMTALA's status against the state's abortion ban. Other Supreme Court cases that will undoubtedly impact the health and rights of Americans include Grants Pass v. Johnson and Chevron U.S.A Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council. Grants Pass, in short, criminalizes and fines those without shelter—which particularly impacts queer youth, those facing domestic violence, people with disabilities, people with mental health issues, and youth who have aged out of foster care systems. Chevron takes deference and administrative decision-making power away from federal agencies and gives it instead to judges. Support the Show.Follow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

In the past month, the Supreme Court has interacted with three cases that have stark implications for the reproductive health, rights, and wellbeing of many across the U.S. Madiba Dennie, author of The Originalism Trap: How Extremists Stole the Constitution and How We the People Can Take it Back and Deputy Editor and Senior Contributor at the legal commentary outlet Balls and Strikes, sits down to talk to us about originalism, the recent Supreme Court case rulings, and what it all means for the sexual and reproductive health and rights of Americans.On June 13, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that plaintiffs in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine—which challenged access to nationwide medication abortion—did not have a legal standing. For now, this ruling preserves the post-Dobbs status-quo, protecting access to mifepristone, a safe and common medication used in nearly two-thirds of abortions, in some states. On June 21, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Rahimi to prevent those with previous domestic violence restraining orders filed against them to possess firearms. And on June 27th, the Supreme Court dismissed a case that would have prevented abortion in the case of medical emergency in Idaho. Access remains protected—for now. Many of the recent Supreme Court cases are rooted in originalism, or the application of U.S. “history” and “tradition” to undermine rights, which has been a trusted roadmap for anti-rights actors in the courts.Support the Show.Follow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

Medicaid, the largest public health insurance program for people in the United States, exists on a state-by-state basis. But how could Medicaid possibly relate to sexual and reproductive health? Fabiola De Liban, Director, Sexual and Reproductive Health, with the National Health Law Program, sits down to talk with us about what is covered under the program, what's not covered, Medicaid's disturbing history related to family planning, and the barriers that patients face on a day-to-day basis. Medicaid is the largest public payer of family planning, covering 75% of all family planning expenditures. It covers almost half of U.S. births, including prenatal, labor, delivery, and postpartum. Medicaid also covers prescription drugs, sterilization, breast cancer services, and some gender -affirming care services. Medicaid does not cover abortion due to the Hyde amendment. Medicaid expansion allows someone who is not pregnant or who doesn't have a child or a disability to be able to qualify to the Medicaid program. When the Affordable Care Act passed, Medicaid expansion would have gone into effect nationwide, if not for states who sued to prevent expansion. Medicaid expansion is now optional, with only 9 states having chosen to not expand. Support the Show.Follow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

Two years after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, abortion providers across the United States are sharing their reflections on the current state of abortion access, how to take action, and their visions for the future. Guests include:Dr. Rachel Chisausky, family medicine physician in the Midwest and fellow with Physicians for Reproductive HealthDr. Keemi Ereme, OB/GYN and abortion provider in Seattle, Washington and fellow with Physicians for Reproductive HealthDr. Miriam McQuade, abortion provider in Albuquerque, New Mexico and fellow with Physicians for Reproductive HealthDr. Jessica Rubino, family medicine physician and abortion care provider in Washington, D.C. and fellow with Physicians for Reproductive HealthSupport the Show.Follow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

Abortion is impossible to access in the Dominican Republic and extremely inaccessible in Brazil. Misinformation, gender-based violence, and influences from the harmful U.S. anti-abortion movement are contributing to rates of higher need in countries where abortion access is remarkably difficult. Garnet Henderson, Senior Reporter at Rewire News Group and host and producer of ACCESS: A Podcast About Abortion, sits down to talk with us about the current status of abortion in the Dominican Republic and Brazil.Abortion is completely illegal with no exceptions in the Dominican Republic, which has one of the higher maternal mortality rates in the Americas and very high rates of child marriage and gender-based violence. In addition, the Dominican Republic and Haiti have a history of forced sterilization, stemming from a history of conflict between the two countries. In Brazil, abortion is illegal with an exception to save the life of the pregnant person who has been a victim of rape or incest, or in the case of fetal anencephaly. Medical providers also refuse to participate in abortion at very high rates in the country, where crisis pregnancy centers are beginning to pop up and rates of sexual violence are high.Support the Show.Follow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

Mourning, anger, and grief were top-line emotions after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Still, a recently released collection of essays and stories highlights the very real and inspiring on-the-ground work and experiences of reproductive justice leaders, health care professionals, patients, artists, legislators, and more in the wake of Roe's overturning. Krystale Littlejohn and Rickie Solinger, editors of Fighting Mad: Resisting the End of Roe v. Wade, sits down to remind us about the fact that resistance is everywhere in the fight for abortion and reproductive justice in the United States.Criminalization, poor and inefficient media coverage of sexual and reproductive health, digital surveillance, religious tyranny, and fear and confusion among medical providers are all barriers in the sexual and reproductive health labyrinth in the U.S. that many have had to navigate. Fighting Mad's essays explores the ways the SRHR patients, providers, advocates, and leaders have navigated these barriers, offering their reflections and perspectives for a better future. Support the Show.Follow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, abortion funds have been working overtime to support skyrocketing amounts of patients in need. And while there was a large influx in donations to abortion funds after the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization Supreme Court case, those donations have waned in recent years. Lindsey Mullen, Co-Executive Director of the Alabama Cohosh Collaborative and Natalie Price, board member of the Fountain Street Choice Fund, sits down to talk with us about abortion funds, practical support funds, and their work and needs in the years after Dobbs. Targeted regulation of abortion provider (TRAP) laws are increasing after Dobbs. These laws often impact a clinic's ability to keep staff or stay open, and many staff have lost their employment or seen their clinics close. Closures force patients to have to look and travel even farther for care-- sometimes outside state lines. Telehealth needs have been amplified, with many depending on telehealth care for self-managing their abortion, while some states continue to see their maternal health care desert grow due to a loss of practicing OB/GYNs. With waning financial support, it's increasingly difficult for abortion funds and practical support funds to continue to provide people access and assistance.Support the Show.Follow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

Sexual and reproductive health doesn't disappear in humanitarian settings. People don't stop needing obstetric care, getting pregnant, needing birth control, needing safe abortion care, or needing gender-based violence support in emergency situations. In fact, 65% of all maternal deaths, 50% of all newborn deaths, and 51% of all stillbirths occur in humanitarian settings. Judith Starkulla, Head of Office for UNFPA in Gaza, shares her thoughts on the SRHR needs of those in the region.UNFPA supplies medicine, dignity kits, gender-based violence services, and specialized healthcare to hospitals and individual patients. Currently, in Gaza, health infrastructure has been ruined and many people have nowhere to turn to for care. Only 3 maternity hospitals are functioning across Gaza, and they are overcrowded with people needing assistance. Stress, hunger, and fear are impacting mothers and children. Yet, UNFPA cannot deliver aid while Gaza continues to face bombardment and closed border crossings, and medicines and supplies have been destroyed by fire and explosions. Support the Show.Follow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

Social media and limited national standards around sex education means sexual and reproductive health misinformation and disinformation can run rampant. Especially when it comes to birth control, the wrong information can lead to knowledge gaps and limit access to contraceptive care. Dr. Reagan McDonald-Mosley, CEO of Power to Decide and practicing physician, sits down to talk with us about mis- and disinformation around birth control. Recent research from Power to Decide found that, while 38% of young people received information on contraception from social media, many of the same people wanted to receive that information from a health provider. Additional research found that 28% of young people who haven't received birth control information in the last year did not believe that birth control was safe. Examples of mis- and disinformation often include links between oral contraception and cancer, contraception and fertility, and the conflation of contraception and abortion (for example, many politicians compare emergency contraception and IUDs to abortifacients). Correcting mis- and disinformation surrounding contraception will open more doors for those requiring care and increase patient knowledge and confidence.  Support the Show.Follow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

Trigger warning: In this episode we talk about sexual assault and descriptions of unsafe abortions. Please engage with challenging content with caution. 45% of the 73 million abortions a year are unsafe. One of the reasons they are unsafe is due to U.S. policies that place restrictions on how family planning-related foreign assistance is used. Jodi Enda, Washington Bureau Chief and Senior Correspondent for The Fuller Project, sits down to talk with us about the  multiple tools used by the U.S.-- including the Helms amendment and the Global Gag Rule-- and how far their harmful reach truly extends.  These unsafe abortions result in approximately 39,000 preventable maternal deaths and millions of complications each year. The U.S. is the biggest healthcare funder in the world, as well as the biggest funder of family planning assistance. Still, The Helms amendment and the Global Gag Rule both impact U.S. funding and U.S. global health assistance as it relates to abortion care, albeit in different ways. These foreign policies disproportionately impact access to abortion care for those who have experienced sexual violence, those who are in conflict and humanitarian settings, and those of low-incomes.Support the Show.Follow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA, is a statute passed by Congress in 1986 to ensure that nobody who is experiencing a medical emergency is turned away from receiving health care. But this week, the Supreme Court will hear arguments challenging EMTALA as it relates to emergency abortion care. Katie O'Connor, Director of Federal Abortion Policy at the National Women's Law Center sits down to talk with us about the potential impacts of this ruling. Under EMTALA, an emergency medical condition is defined “as a condition in which, without immediate medical attention, a patient's health or life is in serious jeopardy.” The statute does not make exceptions for state law, the personal beliefs of providers, or hospitals of religious affiliation. For pregnant people, abortion care can be a very necessary, time-sensitive, and sometimes life-saving health service. State-level abortion bans are already forcing patients to travel hours and long distances to receive care, and providers to leave the hostile states they are practicing in. EMTALA's ruling may narrow, even more, the already constricted landscape that patients and providers find themselves navigating in the United States—especially for those who are experiencing an emergency.Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!