| HHS Proposed Regulations Threaten Reproductive Health Rights |
| On August 21, 2008 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed new regulations that it said would “increase awareness of, and compliance with,…laws protecting federally funded health care providers’ right of conscience [with regards to providing or performing certain medical services.]” [i] The new regulations extend non-discrimination protections ... |
| Governor Rendell of Pennsylvania Re-Applies for Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Funding |
| On September 2, the state of Pennsylvania re-applied for Title V abstinence-only-until-marriage funds after several years of remaining out of the program. One of the earliest states to reject the funds, Pennsylvania opted back in 2006. However, that application was submitted late and the funds were never spent but returned ... |
| Political Ad Distorts Illinois Sex Education Bill |
| On September 9, Republican Presidential Nominee John McCain (R-AZ) released a campaign ad denouncing Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama’s (D-IL) support for a sex education bill while he was a state senator. [i] The ad asks sarcastically, “Obama’s one accomplishment?…Legislation to teach ‘comprehensive sex education’ to kindergartners.”
The ad is ... |
| Media Spotlight on Teen Pregnancy and Sexuality Education |
| The issue of teen pregnancy was brought to the forefront early in September with the revelation that the 17-year-old daughter of Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK), Republican Vice Presidential Candidate, is pregnant. Soon after this announcement, major media outlets across the world began to draw attention to Palin’s position on sex ... |
| Landmark Decision by Mexico Supreme Court Upholds Abortion Law |
| The Supreme Court of Mexico upheld Mexico City’s abortion law with an overwhelming majority vote of 8–3 on August 28, 2008. The ruling upheld legislation originally passed in April 2007 that allowed unrestricted access to abortions during the first trimester of pregnancy within the city limits of Mexico City. Mexico ... |
| ACF Pushes Failed Title V Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Program in Native American Communities |
| On September 5, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced that the Family and Youth Services Bureau would encourage Native American Tribes to apply for Fiscal Year 2009 Title V abstinence-only-until-marriage funds. [i] Interestingly, this letter arrived three days after the deadline to submit applications for Fiscal Year 2009 ... |
