U.S. Repro Watch provides periodic updates on news of interest on U.S. reproductive rights. Here are a few recent items you won’t want to miss:

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1. Abortion cases filed and advancing in the states:

• In Vermont, several anti-abortion “crisis pregnancy centers”—facilities that use deceptive practices to divert people away from receiving abortion care—filed a lawsuit challenging a part of the state’s shield law that prohibits deceptive advertising and requires medical services be provided by licensed health care practitioners. The plaintiffs, represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, argue that the statute violates their free speech and due process rights.
• The Iowa Supreme Court agreed to review a ruling blocking the state’s new six-week abortion ban.
• In North Carolina, abortion providers renewed a request to block portions of the state’s new 12-week abortion ban. One of the provisions that the plaintiffs are seeking to block is a requirement that abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy take place at a hospital, which is set to take effect October 1.

2. Last week, anti-abortion members of Congress used several 2024 federal spending bills to attack abortion and reproductive healthcare.

• The Biden Administration threatened to veto the legislation, stating that the restrictive provisions would have “devastating consequences.”
• One of the appropriations bills being debated includes an amendment seeking to reverse the Food and Drug Administration’s decision to expand access to mifepristone—one of two drugs used in medication abortion—via telemedicine and retail pharmacies. Several lawmakers, led by Rep. Rosa DeLauro and more than 100 advocacy groups, are pushing to drop the provision from the spending bill.

Did you know?

While access to medication abortion is under threat in the U.S., other countries are working to expand access to the pills.

In Australia, a government agency eliminated restrictions on which health practitioners can provide medication abortion. Previously, only specially certified doctors and pharmacists could prescribe and dispense the drugs. Under new rules, medication abortion can be prescribed by any healthcare provider, including nurse practitioners, and dispensed by any pharmacist.

In the U.S., the Fifth Circuit is expected to soon issue its decision in a case that could roll back access to the medication.

Coming Up

Aug. 8: Vote on Ohio’s ballot measure.

• Voters will weigh in on a controversial measure that would make it harder to pass constitutional amendments by requiring amendments to pass with at least 60% of votes instead of a simple majority, which is required now.
• The measure will go to voters a few months before a proposal to protect abortion rights will appear on the ballot.