This week we learned an appeals court will not reconsider a decision that lets Arkansas cut Medicaid funds to Planned Parenthood.
If you’re having trouble keeping track of all the different pro-life lawsuits in play right now, you aren’t alone. Here’s a breakdown of where things stand:
- Abortion-Inducing Drugs Safety Act: This good law requires abortion drugs to be dispensed according to FDA protocols and requires abortion clinics to contract with a doctor who has hospital admitting privileges. It’s been upheld at the federal Eighth Circuit, but Planned Parenthood is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Medicaid Funding: In 2015 Arkansas cut Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood. A panel of judges ruled the state can do that; Planned Parenthood appealed to the entire Eighth Circuit. The Eighth Circuit has decided not to reconsider the case.
- Dismemberment Abortion: In 2017 the legislature prohibited dismemberment abortions. U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker blocked the law. Attorney General Rutledge has asked the Eighth Circuit to overturn that decision.
- Sex-Selection Abortion: In 2017 the legislature passed a law prohibiting abortions performed due to the baby’s sex. U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker blocked the law. Attorney General Rutledge has asked the Eighth Circuit to overturn that decision.
- Reporting Requirements: In 2017 the Arkansas Legislature amended some of the reporting requirements for abortions performed on teen girls. U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker blocked the law. Attorney General Rutledge has asked the Eighth Circuit to overturn that decision.
- Prohibiting Buying and Selling of Aborted Babies: In 2017 the legislature passed a law generally preventing people from using aborted babies for scientific research and requiring aborted babies to be respectfully cremated or buried. U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker blocked the law. Attorney General Rutledge has asked the Eighth Circuit to overturn that decision.
- Clinic Inspections: In 2017 the legislature passed a law ensuring any clinic that fails a health inspection will stop doing abortions immediately. A lawsuit is pending regarding the law, but no ruling has been issued.
