The FDA has approved a new version of the female condom, known awesomely as “FC2.” The new female condom will sell for about 30 percent less than its predecessor, the “FC1.” But is cost really the deciding factor in female condom use?

Read More “Who Uses the Female Condom?” »

Not Set in Stone: Bush’s rule never saw the light.

For a short period this year, healthcare providers across the country were free to follow their consciences. President Bush’s final act in office was something known as the “conscience rule,” a provision meant to protect workers in federally funded facilities from providing services they found morally objectionable. The rule went into effect on Jan. 20, the day its ultimate destroyer took over. The Obama administration allowed consciences a one-month leash before announcing its intention to reverse the rule in early April, following a 30-day comment period.

Read More “Decline and Fall: The Fallout of the “Conscience Rule”” »

No, not that kind of women’s group.

According to Chris Cilliza’s The Fix, “President Obama will sign an executive order tomorrow [that's today now, readers] to establish a White House Council on Women and Girls.” Cilliza’s intel may be good, but his analysis of the move leaves something to be desired.

Writes Cilliza: “Obama has both personal—his wife and two daughters—and political reasons to make this sort of high profile move to ensure that women’s needs are being addressed by his administration.”

Well, allow me to retort.

Read More “White House “Women’s Council” In the Works” »

Health and Human Services published President Obama’s official proposal to rescind Bush’s “conscience rule” in the Federal Register today. Bush’s rule expanded protections for healthcare providers who are morally opposed to performing or aiding in certain procedures—abortions, sterilizations, birth-control prescriptions, treating gays and lesbians, etc.

For the next 30 days, the public is invited to comment on Obama’s proposed rescission of the rule. Love it? Hate it? Tell the Obama administration through one of four easy ways (no faxes, n00bs). Once Health and Human Services opens comments for review, I’ll post the highlights here on the blog. And stay tuned for this week’s City Paper, where I’ll have more on the short-lived regulation.

For now, get to commentin’! Instructions are after the jump:

Read More “Comment on Obama’s Reversal of the “Conscience Rule”” »

And yet, those who provide them never get any love.

Today is National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers.

Yes, but how? Five ways to appreciate, after the jump:

Read More “National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers” »