Women Put Own Abortions Into Context With Focus On The Economic Struggles That Contributed To Decision

Surveys have found that most common reason the women gave for wanting an abortion was they couldn't afford to support a child. Women are speaking out across the country about their own reasons as states move to restrict abortion rights. And the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is imposing a travel ban on Alabama as a response to its restrictive legislation.

NPR: Abortion Limits Carry Economic Cost For Women

As Republican-led states pass laws restricting abortion in hopes the Supreme Court will overturn its Roe v. Wade decision, supporters of abortion rights are pushing back. Thousands of women who've had abortions have taken to social media to share their experience. Many argue they would have been worse off economically, had they been forced to deliver a baby. "I didn't know what I would do with a baby," said Jeanne Myers, who was unmarried and unemployed when she got pregnant 36 years ago. (Horsley, 5/23)

The Hill: Los Angeles County Votes To Ban Travel To Alabama Over Abortion Law

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted this week to impose a one-year restriction on travel to the state of Alabama for official county business in response to a new law in the Southern state that bans abortion in nearly all cases, including instances of rape and incest. Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, who authored the motion to restrict travel to the state, said in a statement that Alabama's new anti-abortion law is an "attack not only confined to the residents of those states, but an act of aggression upon all of us." (Folley, 5/23)

Meanwhile, in other news —

KCUR: Wichita Clinic Fights To Expand Abortion Access Despite Lack Of Willing, Local Doctors

In April, the Kansas Supreme Court said the state’s constitution gives women a right to abortion. That landmark ruling bolsters an ongoing lawsuit to expand access to abortion in Wichita. The case aims to clear the way for a clinic there — unable to find any willing, local doctors — to lean more on physicians in other states. Trust Women runs one of three clinics in Kansas where women can get abortions. It wants a district judge in Topeka to block the Sedgwick County district attorney and the Kansas Board of Healing Arts from prosecuting or taking other action against doctors who help it. (Llopis-Jepsen, 5/23)

WBUR: Providers Train To Include Abortion Pills In Routine Primary Care

Nearly one-third of abortions nationwide use pills; here in Massachusetts, that rate is even higher: about 40% are medication abortions.Primary care doctors prescribe plenty of other types of pills for patients. Lately, it seems more doctors are learning how to provide abortion pills as well. (Goldberg, 5/23)

This is part of the KHN Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription