Wyoming Governor Signs Ban on Abortions After About 6 Weeks but Cites Misgivings
The Associated Press, March 9, 2026
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon on Monday signed legislation banning abortions after embryotic cardiac activity can be detected, generally at about six weeks’ gestation and often before women know they’re pregnant. The signing makes Wyoming the fifth state to ban abortions at that stage of pregnancy, along with Florida, Georgia, Iowa, and South Carolina. Gordon said in a letter to lawmakers Monday that he has some misgivings about the law he signed because it doesn’t include exceptions for pregnancies caused by rape or incest. This law comes after the state’s Supreme Court struck down a ban on abortion throughout pregnancy in January.
‘Damaging and Punishing’: Birth Control Clinics Serving Millions Face Federal Funding Cliff
Politico, March 11, 2026
Clinics that provide free and subsidized birth control and other reproductive health services to millions of low-income people nationwide are warning that access could soon be cut off if the federal government continues to delay the funding process. The Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Population Affairs has not yet released the guidance dozens of health care organizations around the country need to apply for a funding cycle that begins on April 1. They had been scheduled to receive that guidance by the end of last year. More than three dozen Democratic senators, led by Mazie Hirono, are demanding “immediate action” in a letter sent to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. this week.
Josh Hawley Calls on Congress to Ban Abortion Pill Mifepristone
St. Louis Public Radio, March 12, 2026
U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley is calling on Congress to withdraw federal approval of mifepristone. The Missouri Republican introduced a bill Wednesday that would strip the pill mifepristone of its approval from the Food and Drug Administration, ban its use for pregnancy termination, and create a pathway for women who say they’ve been harmed by the drug to pursue legal action against its manufacturer. It’s the latest move in a full-court press from lawmakers and politicians who oppose abortion to curb access to abortion medication.
When Miscarriage Is Recast as Murder
HuffPost, March 10, 2026
Many prosecutors and police are misapplying laws or relying on crimes like “concealing a birth,” or not telling people you’re pregnant, and abuse of a corpse to punish women for their pregnancy outcomes. There are 15 states with laws that criminalize someone for concealing a pregnancy loss. And 19 states have laws that make it a crime to dispose of pregnancy loss remains or categorize disposal of remains as “abuse of a corpse.” Kulsoom Ijaz, senior policy counsel at Pregnancy Justice, stated, “We’re seeing women who are, all of a sudden, villains in their own tragedies, and their mugshot is plastered all over the news before they can even launch their defenses.”
‘Medical Conscience’ Bills Would Let Providers Refuse More Health Care
Stateline, March 11, 2026
Legislation in at least eight states would expand the rights of doctors, nurses, hospitals, and even insurance companies to refuse to provide or pay for care – from contraception and fertility services to medical marijuana and childhood vaccines – that conflict with their religious or moral beliefs. For years, most states have had so-called medical conscience laws that are mainly aimed at preventing providers or hospitals from having to participate in abortion care. But conservative lawmakers in multiple states are pushing to expand such protections as cultural battles over health care have exploded in recent years.
ICYMI: In Case You Missed It
In early March 2026, the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics released its annual data on disabled people in the U.S. workforce. The numbers suggest that more than a decade of progress is stalling. Read about the warning signs that this economy is harming disabled workers, with disabled women of color particularly feeling the effects.
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Note: The information contained in this publication reflects media coverage of women’s health issues and does not necessarily reflect the views of the National Partnership for Women & Families.
