How federal laws set the baseline for women’s health, safety, and access
Federal laws play a powerful role in shaping women’s rights in the United States. Even when enforcement and impact
Reproductive Rights
As of January 2026 — Abortion access seems split into three Americas. Roughly a third of states ban most abortions, a third have acted to protect or expand access, and the rest fall into a confusing middle where court rulings and clinic availability keep shifting. Measures like South Carolina’s personhood bill, along with growing efforts to challenge or limit medication abortion, are deepening the divide in where and how women receive care.
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Virginia’s 2026 constitutional amendments: What could be on the ballot in November
In early 2026, Virginia lawmakers advanced several proposed constitutional amendments that—if approved by the full General Assembly this session—
New York’s abortion shield law survives its first legal challenge
New York’s abortion shield law has survived its first legal challenge after Texas attempted to enforce a civil judgment
Ohio lawmakers continue to test voter-approved abortion protections
Ohio voters approved a constitutional amendment in November 2023 protecting the right to make decisions about contraception, pregnancy, and abortion.
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How federal laws set the baseline for women’s health, safety, and access
Federal laws play a powerful role in shaping women’s rights in the United States. Even when enforcement and impact
How laws, courts, and access shape what “protected” really means
The word “protected” sounds definitive. In everyday language, it suggests something settled—a right that’s been secured and placed
The medical reality of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and life-saving care
When people hear the phrase “abortion is healthcare,” it’s often assumed to be a political statement. In medicine, it
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Oregon protects abortion access after federal funding disruptions
Oregon law continues to protect abortion access. As a result, the state has become a regional destination for care as
Reproductive Freedom Amendment heads toward a 2026 vote in Virginia
In early 2025, Virginia lawmakers approved the first step of a reproductive freedom constitutional amendment (SJ 247) designed to protect
The shrinking reality of “legal” abortion
As of October 21, 2025, abortion protections exist in 31 states and the District of Columbia, yet access is dramatically
White House moves to expand IVF access
On October 16, 2025, the White House announced new steps to make in-vitro fertilization (IVF) more affordable and widely available.
Virginia expands privacy protections for reproductive and sexual health data
In 2024 and 2025, Virginia enacted new protections limiting how menstrual, reproductive, and sexual health data can be accessed or
Wisconsin 1849 abortion ban removed
On July 2, 2025, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that the state’s 1849 abortion ban was unenforceable, finding that
Abortions paused in WI to protect Medicaid healthcare
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin stopped providing abortions starting October 1, 2025, even though abortion remains legal in the state. The
WI Medicaid: A push for expanded postpartum care
In Wisconsin, new mothers covered by Medicaid (BadgerCare) lose their full coverage just 60 days after giving birth — one of
How the looming Medicaid cuts threaten women’s healthcare
The 2025 One Big Beautiful Big Act (H.R.1) introduces sweeping changes to the Medicaid program—stricter eligibility and
CA shield law protects doctors
California passed a law in September 2025 allowing doctors to prescribe and mail abortion pills anonymously, shielding providers from out-of-state
TX extends bounty hunter model to abortion pills
HB 7 authorizes private citizens to sue those who manufacture, distribute, mail, deliver, prescribe, or otherwise provide abortion-inducing drugs to
Virginia is becoming a regional access point for abortion care
As more Southern states restrict or ban abortion, Virginia is emerging as a key access provider in the Mid-Atlantic and