Trump’s ICE Crackdown Is Forcing Immigrant Women To ‘Choose Between Their Freedom or Their Health’
HuffPost, March 28, 2026
Reproductive health care providers told HuffPost they’re seeing patients miss prenatal appointments and not pick up prescriptions when they need them. Some are scared to go to the hospital when they’re in labor, while others are scared to leave with their newborn after giving birth. Two care providers said patients are declining to enroll their newborns in Medicaid or otherwise share their medical information with hospital and insurance systems. Abortion patients are choosing to spend more money to travel to less-populated cities where ICE presence may be smaller. Others are saving up money and booking travel to get care in another state, only to cancel at the last minute because they’re worried about being detained.
Midwives Sue To Challenge Georgia Laws Restricting Their Ability To Practice
NBC News, April 2, 2026
A group of midwives is challenging Georgia’s midwifery restrictions. The plaintiffs argue that their midwifery services are essential in Georgia. More than one third of the state’s counties are considered maternity care deserts, meaning there are no obstetric providers or birthing facilities. The plaintiffs also say making it easier for midwives to practice could lower Georgia’s high maternal mortality rate. “There are some places in the state where there’s nowhere to give birth or access pregnancy care nearby. We have midwives, including our clients, who are ready and willing to fill that gap to serve those families, and the state is treating them like criminals,” said Hillary Schneller, senior counsel at the Center for Reproductive Rights.
A Texas Pregnancy Center Told Her Everything Was Fine. Three Days Later, She Was in the ER
The Dallas Morning News, March 27, 2026
Kaylee Hall was provided an ultrasound by Abundant Life Pregnancy Resource Center in Athens, Texas, and the sonogram operator affirmed to her repeatedly that her pregnancy was normal and healthy. Three days later, Hall was in emergency surgery for an ectopic pregnancy. The embryo she was carrying was not implanted in her uterus, contrary to what the center had told her, and posed a significant threat to Hall’s health – and life – if left untreated. She and her primary care doctor both filed complaints about Abundant Life with the Texas Medical Board. Hall’s case brings this question into focus: Do pregnancy centers, with their primary mission of preventing abortion, also provide high-quality care to the people who walk through their doors?
The Guise of ‘Parental Rights’ Is Denying Young People Critical Care
Ms., April 1, 2026
Under the banner of “parental rights,” conservative lawmakers are dismantling protections that allow minors to access confidential contraception and reproductive healthcare. These policies do not strengthen families; they endanger young people, especially those navigating poverty, immigration instability or unsafe home environments – cutting off care and undermining privacy when they need support the most. This is not new. For years, conservative lawmakers have limited young people’s ability to engage in medical decisions that affect their lives, especially sexual and reproductive healthcare. So-called “parental rights” bills may sound appealing in theory, but in practice, they delay access to critical healthcare and violate established privacy and confidentiality standards.
States Look To Further Restrict or Redefine Abortion, Others Boost Reproductive Care Access
News From The States, March 26, 2026
Virginia, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Washington are advancing bills to expand reproductive healthcare access while states with already strict abortion bans continue to pass and advance new restrictions, paving the way for other states. Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger is expected to sign a series of bills to improve maternal health outcomes. Wisconsin expanded Medicaid coverage for postpartum women to a year, and Illinois and Washington are trying to ensure abortion access for low-income and uninsured patients. Whereas South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden just signed laws that clarify when pregnancy termination constitutes an abortion and make it illegal to advertise abortion pills. And in Kansas and Ohio, Republican lawmakers continue to try and regulate information related to abortion.
ICYMI: In Case You Missed It
An AP U.S. Women’s History course is especially important right now as the Trump administration, state governments, and local school boards seek to erase this history altogether.
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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.
