Abortion policy: Threats and opportunities in 2009

With a new president and congress, we have new opportunities to ensure meaningful access to abortion care. In the beginning months of his administration, President Obama took critical actions on the global gag rule, health care denial rule, and UNFPA funding. More work remains to be done in Washington, DC, including addressing the ban on federal funding for abortions and ensuring that health care reform does not exclude abortion care. Despite gains on the federal level, the states will continue to chip away at abortion access by passing laws jeopardizing women's health and posing real obstacles for poor women, teens, and women living in rural communities. This presentation will provide an overview of current threats and opportunities for reproductive health care policy, including a 2009 state legislative overview and an update on federal activity.