Healthcare Prof:

About 52% of U.S. residents – such as 60% of U. females and 43% of US men — want to know Judge John Roberts’ personal views on abortion before the Senate votes to confirm him as a Supreme Court justice, based on an AP-…Ipsos poll released on Thursday, the AP/Yahoo! News reports. According to the poll, which was conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday amongst 752 adults, 42% of respondents don’t feel Roberts should talk about his abortion views. Roughly 60% of surveyed Democrats wanted more data on Roberts’ abortion views, although 54% of surveyed Republicans felt that Roberts shouldn’t need to disclose his abortion views throughout the confirmation process. Additionally, even though about 59% of survey respondents said they don’t have enough information on Roberts to form an opinion of his nomination, with the respondents who stated they did have adequate details, 25% view him favorably, although 14% view him unfavorably (Lester, AP/Yahoo! News, 7/21). Overall, 47% of respondents think Roberts ought to be confirmed, compared with 24% who oppose his confirmation, based on the poll, which has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points (Editor & Publisher, 7/21).

USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll
About 74% of U.S. residents feel abortion is an proper topic for senators to talk about with Roberts at his confirmation hearings, in accordance with a USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll, USA Today reports. The poll of 625 adults, which was conducted on Wednesday, also located that 76% of U.S. residents say they need extra info ahead of determining no matter whether Roberts’ views are “mainstream.” About 51% of those surveyed stated Roberts’ nomination is an excellent or very good selection, 34% stated he can be a poor option, along with the remaining survey participants had no opinion. The poll had a margin of error of 4 percentage points (Nichols/Kiely, USA Today, 7/21).

Background on Roberts’ Abortion Views
Though little is known about Roberts’ views on abortion, some observers say he could tip the balance with the Supreme Court on the problem since retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was the deciding vote in numerous circumstances upholding abortion rights. Roberts, who in 2003 was confirmed as a judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, has by no means written a legal opinion on the problem as a judge. Even so, Roberts in 1991 whilst serving as deputy solicitor common argued in Rust v. Sullivan that federally funded loved ones planning clinics must be banned from delivering abortion-related counseling and stated that Roe v. Wade — the 1973 Supreme Court case that struck down state abortion bans — was “wrongly decided,” didn’t have support “in the text, structure or history of the Constitution” and really should be overturned. Nevertheless, throughout his 2003 confirmation hearings for the federal judgeship, Roberts stated he produced the statements only as part of generating a case for the administration and said the choice in Roe is “the settled law of the land” Additionally, Roberts in 1992 — even though representing the antiabortion group Operation Rescue — argued against stopping protesters from blocking entrances to abortion clinics (Kaiser Every day Reproductive Wellness Report, 7/21).

Further Coverage
Several newspapers lately have examined Roberts’ views on abortion. Some of these articles are summarized below.

Healthcare Prof:

The 10th US Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday issued two rulings against the… Center for Reproductive Rights, which sought to block enforcement of two Oklahoma parental notification abortion laws on behalf of Nova Wellness Systems, the parent business with the Tulsa, Okla.-based clinic Reproductive Services, the Tulsa World reports (Tulsa World, 7/21). In the first ruling, a two-judge panel denied CRR’s request for a temporary injunction blocking enforcement of a 2005 law, saying the statute could withstand constitutional scrutiny (Associated Press, 7/21). The law (HB 1686), which went into impact in May instantly following Gov. Brad Henry (D) signed it, requires physicians to notify in writing a parent or guardian of any minor searching for abortion at least 48 hours just before performing the procedure. The law also needs well being care providers to inform ladies with the medical risks of abortion at least 24 hours in advance of the procedure and give ladies specific info concerning the anatomical and physiological characteristics of a fetus at distinct stages of gestation. Under the law, the state Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision must inform women that they could be eligible for government benefits and that their partners would be liable for economic support if they carry their pregnancies to term. The board also must publish this info as well as a list of resources. The law makes it possible for for exceptions in circumstances of emergency. The law also makes it a separate crime to kill a fetus throughout a crime against a pregnant woman.

Injunction Lawsuit Background
Following Henry’s signing of the bill, CRR on Might 31 filed a lawsuit arguing that the law violates young women’s rights by not establishing guidelines for judicial bypass in circumstances of abuse or if a girl doesn’t have parents. Even so, District Judge Dale Cook decided not to concern a temporary restraining order and ruled that the law makes ample provisions for the wellness and safety of minors who seek to utilize the judicial bypass approach. CRR then filed a second motion, asking Cook to prevent the law from taking impact until the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rules on the appeal of Cook’s earlier decision or until the Oklahoma Supreme Court sets a time frame for handling judicial bypass requests (Kaiser Daily Reproductive Wellness Report, 6/2). Wednesday’s ruling by the federal appeals court denied that request too, the Associated Press reports.

Liability Lawsuit
Inside the second ruling, the appeals court upheld 2-1 a prior ruling dismissing a case against a 2001 Oklahoma parental notification law due to the fact CRR lacked legal standing within the case (Associated Press, 7/21). CRR in November 2004 asked the appeals court to reconsider the ruling it issued earlier that month reversing a lower court’s choice to strike down the Oklahoma law requiring parental notification for minors looking for abortion. The 2001 law states that “any individual who performs an abortion on a minor with no parental consent or knowledge shall be liable for the cost of any subsequent medical therapy such minor might need due to the abortion.” Within the suit, CRR argued that the law is unconstitutional due to the fact it does not supply exceptions for medical emergencies or emancipated minors and doesn’t enable judicial bypass. U.S. District Judge Claire Eagan in June 2002 struck down the law, but the appeals court dismissed the lawsuit on a technicality, saying Nova did not prove that the agencies enforcing the law would be responsible for harm the law could potentially trigger the business (Kaiser Everyday Reproductive Wellness Report, 11/19/04). In Wednesday’s ruling, the appeals court upheld its prior ruling, again saying the group didn’t have legal standing to sue the defendants. CRR attorney Bebe Anderson said the clinic will take into account whether or not to appeal the liability law and may possibly decide on different defendants if it pursues the case (Associated Press, 7/21).

“Reprinted with permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You are able to view the whole Kaiser Everyday Well being Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for e-mail delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Day-to-day Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a totally free service of the Henry J. Kaiser Family members Foundation . 2005 Advisory Board Organization and Kaiser Family members Foundation. All rights reserved.

Healthcare Prof:

About 64% of US residents desire to know Judge John Roberts’ views on abortion prior to his confirmation as a Supreme Court justice, in accordance with a… Washington Post/ABC News poll, the Washington Post reports. The survey of 500 U.S. adults, which was conducted on Thursday, also located that about 65% of respondents — such as 80% of Democrats, half of Republicans and two-thirds of independents surveyed — would want Roberts to uphold Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court case that struck down state abortion bans. Approximately 58% of respondents stated Roberts is “about right” in the political spectrum, while 26% said he is “too conservative” and 9% stated he isn’t conservative adequate (Morin/Babington, Washington Post, 7/23). About 61% of adults surveyed said Roberts ought to answer questions on how he would have ruled in past Supreme Court situations, which would permit senators to explore his stance on a variety of issues, which includes abortion rights (Reuters, 7/22). About 59% of respondents said they support Roberts’ confirmation, even though 23% oppose his confirmation and the remainder had no opinion. Amongst Democrats, 41% support his confirmation, compared to 84% of Republicans and 58% of independents. The poll had a margin of error of 4 percentage points (Washington Post, 7/23).

Little Recognized on Roberts’ Abortion Views
Though little is identified about Roberts’ views on abortion, some observers say he could tip the balance of the Supreme Court on the issue due to the fact retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was the deciding vote in numerous cases that upheld abortion rights. Roberts, who in 2003 was confirmed as a judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, has never ever written a legal opinion on the concern as a judge. Nonetheless, Roberts in 1991 whilst serving as deputy solicitor general argued in Rust v. Sullivan that federally funded loved ones preparing clinics really should be banned from offering abortion-related counseling and said that Roe was “wrongly decided,” didn’t have support “in the text, structure or history of the Constitution” and must be overturned. Nonetheless, in the course of his 2003 confirmation hearings for the federal judgeship, Roberts said he made the statements only as component of generating a case for the administration and said the decision in Roe is “the settled law with the land.” Additionally, Roberts in 1992 — although representing the antiabortion group Operation Rescue — argued against stopping protesters from blocking entrances to abortion clinics (Kaiser Everyday Reproductive Wellness Report, 7/22). A number of newspapers lately have examined Roberts’ views on abortion. Some of these articles are summarized below.

Healthcare Prof:

The Oakland Tribune on Sunday examined how abortion-rights advocates are beginning to show a “spiritual side” after years of appearing to be “far removed from religion,” while the antiabortion movement and religion seemed to be “inextricably linked.” The Planned Parenthood Federation of America last year for the first time appointed a national chaplain, and several chaplains serve locally inside the organization nationwide. “Planned Parenthood is deeply, firmly on the side of religion,” PPFA Interim President Karen Pearl stated, adding that religion fundamentally entails ethics and morality, which are essential towards the group’s function of supporting women’s well being (Tucker [1], Oakland Tribune, 7/24).

The Tribune on Sunday profiled Lisa Sargent, who serves as the chaplain for Planned Parenthood Golden Gate (Tucker [2], Oakland Tribune, 7/24).

Oakland Tribune

“Reprinted with permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Every day Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for e-mail delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Day-to-day Well being Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a cost-free service of the Henry J. Kaiser Household Foundation . 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family members Foundation. All rights reserved.

Healthcare Prof:

4 (1 votes)

In 2004, for women resident in England and Wales:

* the total number of abortions was 185,400, compared with 181,600 in 2003, a rise of two.1%

* the age-standardised abortion rate was 17.8 per 1,000 resident girls aged 15-44 (17.five in 2003)

* the abortion rate was highest, at 31.9 per 1000, for ladies inside the 18-19 and 20-24 age groups

the under-16 abortion rate was 3.7 compared with three.9 in 2003.

The under-18 rate was 17.8 compared with 18.two in 2003

* 82% of abortions were funded by the NHS; of these, just more than half (51%) took place within the independent sector below NHS contract

* 88% of abortions had been carried out at under 13 weeks gestation; 60% were at under 10 weeks

* medical abortions accounted for 19% with the total compared with 17% in 2003

* 1,900 abortions (1%) were below ground E, risk that the child would be born handicapped

Non-residents:

* in 2004 there were 8,760 abortions for nonresidents carried out in hospitals and clinics in England and Wales (9,100 in 2003)

In using and releasing well being statistics there is a risk, normally with small numbers, of identifying individuals. To address this, the Department of Wellness asked the National Statistician to offer it with guidelines for interpreting the National Statistics Code of Practice and linked protocols inside the handling of well being statistics across the wellness community, in a way that balances information confidentiality risks with the public interest inside the use of the figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have published a report on disclosure guidance for abortion statistics as well as a further report giving guidance for all wellness statistics will likely be published within the Autumn of 2005. The report for abortions statistics could be identified on the ONS site.

The 2004 Abortion Statistics bulletin applies the conclusions with the ONS disclosure review and guidance for abortion statistics. The guidance provides details on how you can identify cells inside tabulated statistics where the risks of a breach of confidentiality are unacceptable (“unsafe cells”). It then describes methods for reducing these risks.

For the bulletin, the risks identified have been reduced largely by redesigning tables. However, exactly where table redesign proved to be impossible then suppression was applied to cells with fewer than five situations at National level or fewer than 10 circumstances at sub-national level and for highly sensitive variables for example gestation weeks by medical grounds. The exact same principles were also applied to tables showing rates and percentages.

Abortion Statistics from the Office for National Statistics

Healthcare Prof:

Commenting on the 2004 figures Anne Weyman, fpa (Loved ones Preparing Association) Chief Executive stated:

“These figures highlight the urgent have to improve NHS contraceptive services. Greater investment is needed to improve access to services and train a lot more health professionals as a way to avoid unintended pregnancy. It is also essential females and men know much more about the full range of 14 contraceptive methods as a way to protect their sexual well being.”

“It is encouraging to see that there have been improvements to abortion services. More than ever are now being funded by the NHS (82% compared to 80% in 2003), and an elevated number of females are having early abortions (56% of NHS funded abortions took location under 10 weeks compared to 52% in 2003) which also indicates much more ladies have the option of a medical rather than surgical abortion.”

“However, you will find still improvements that might be produced in terms of waiting times and service delivery and we would like to see these created an urgent priority at national level.”

For further info contact fpa’s press workplace 020 7923 5202/5201 or 07958 921060.

fpa (Household Preparing Association) could be the only registered charity working to improve the sexual wellness and reproductive rights of all people throughout the UK.

http://www.fpa.org.uk

Healthcare Prof:

Abortion figures for England and Wales, released today, show an increase of two.1% more than last year’s figures.

Julie Millington, on behalf with the ProLife Alliance, comments:

‘Despite elevated access to contraception, relentless sex education programmes, and easy availability of the abortifacient morning-after-pill, the abortion figures in England and Wales are climbing towards 200,000 a year and most likely to continue to rise.

‘A colossal overall boost in numbers within the decades because abortion was decriminalised may be noted in one of many graphs inside the statistics (Figure 1), where it shows that around five girls per 1000 had abortions in the early years, compared to 17 per 1000 these days.

‘We note too that the private abortion providers (Marie Stopes, BPAS, et al) have elevated considerably their share of this grisly industry, particularly as agents for the NHS, a share which they have tripled inside the last ten years (see Figure 2). Their overall percentage when combined with private provision is now some 60% of the market. It really is hardly surprising, consequently, that we saw them lately banding together against any restrictive reform with the Abortion Act. Their livelihood depends upon abortion.

‘It is always unpleasant to scan chilling information on the suppression of pregnancy, and heartbreaking to see the totals as they climb year right after year, knowing that every single number represents a tiny human life that has been ended.

‘On this occasion, nonetheless, we are also concerned concerning the extremely worrying suppression of data in the existing statistics, which so obviously comes inside the wake of and as a response towards the cleft-palate legal challenge. Info which was previously offered has been withdrawn.

‘Why in an age when the Government continually preaches elevated transparency and public accountability, is less detail about abortion now accessible than it was 5 years ago? Illegal abortion remains a criminal act and no attempts of any kind should be produced to bury information relevant to assessment of correct practice in this region.’

Julia Millington
Political Director
ProLife Alliance
Tel: 020 7581 6939
Fax: 020 7581 3868
info@prolife.org.uk
http://www.prolife.org.uk

Healthcare Prof:

Thousands of documents Supreme Court nominee Judge John Roberts kept in his files from 1981 to 1982 that had been released on Tuesday by the… National Archives and Records Administration include several references to Roe v. Wade — the 1973 Supreme Court case that struck down state abortion bans — but don’t reveal his individual views on abortion rights, USA Today reports (Locy/Johnson, USA Today, 7/27). In one abortion-related reference, Roberts noted that most attendees at an October 1981 American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research conference “recognized a severe problem in the present exercise of judicial power” as demonstrated “by what is broadly perceived to be the unprincipled jurisprudence of Roe v. Wade” (Rosenbaum, New York Times, 7/27). Even so, the way the memo was written suggests he was attributing this perspective to a group of scholars at the conference, based on the Chicago Tribune (Zuckman et al., Chicago Tribune, 7/27). Some Senate Democrats have sought the release of the documents in an effort to figure out Roberts’ personal views on such concerns as abortion rights (USA Today, 7/27). Though little is recognized about Roberts’ views on abortion, some observers say he could tip the balance with the Supreme Court on the issue because retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was the deciding vote in numerous circumstances that upheld abortion rights. Despite the fact that Roberts, who in 2003 was confirmed as a judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, has never written a legal opinion on the concern as a judge, he has argued as an lawyer in several abortion-related cases. During his 2003 confirmation hearings for the federal judgeship, Roberts stated the choice in Roe is “the settled law of the land” (Kaiser Everyday Reproductive Health Report, 7/26).

Gonzales Says Roberts Can Oppose Roe
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on Tuesday clarified that if Roberts is confirmed to the Supreme Court, he would be allowed to vote to overturn Roe simply because the Supreme Court isn’t bound by precedent, the Washington Post reports (Eggen, Washington Post, 7/27). Gonzales stated that even though the legal appropriate to abortion is established and settled amongst lower courts, a Supreme Court justice doesn’t have to follow the court’s precedent on the issue if he or she believes the ruling was incorrect (Sherman, AP/Fox News, 7/27). Abortion-rights advocates criticized Gonzales’ remarks and stated they indicate that Roberts is a lot more conservative in his views than what has been portrayed by the Bush administration. Nevertheless, Department of Justice spokesperson Tasia Scolinos stated the remarks were intended to clarify how the courts perform and should not be interpreted to predict how Roberts would address prospective Supreme Court situations, including abortion-related cases (Washington Post, 7/27).

“Reprinted with permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. It is possible to view the entire Kaiser Every day Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Every day Wellness Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a totally free service of the Henry J. Kaiser Household Foundation . 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Loved ones Foundation. All rights reserved.