Blanche Assures Anti-Abortion Supporters That Dobbs Will Be ‘Permanent in Every Single State’
POLITICO, August 3, 2026
As his confirmation to lead the Justice Department hung by a thread last week, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told faith leaders on a private call that he was preparing to take action to roll back abortion access nationwide. On a recording of the call posted online Thursday by the religious group Intercessors for America and hosted by the White House Faith Office, Blanche lamented that the Trump administration’s efforts to restrict abortion are “taking longer than we want” but said the Justice Department was “working hand in hand” with federal health agencies and the White House “so that the Dobbs decision becomes permanent in every single state.”
Red-State Voters Said No to Ballot Measures Backed by Anti-Abortion Groups
CNN, August 5, 2026
In Kansas, voters rejected a proposal placed on the ballot by the state’s GOP-dominated legislature that would have taken the power to appoint state Supreme Court justices away from a merit board and the state’s governor, a Democrat…. Anti-abortion rights activists hoped to use this amendment to overrule voters’ decision to uphold abortion rights…. In Missouri, voters rejected a measure placed on the ballot by the state’s Republican-dominated legislature that would’ve made it much harder to pass amendments placed on the ballot by citizens gathering signatures…. Five more abortion-related initiatives are currently expected to appear on statewide ballots in November.
Suicide Rates Are Higher for Teen Girls. Abortion Bans Could Be Making it Worse.
The 19th, July 31, 2026
Abortion bans may be driving more teenage girls to seriously contemplate suicide – regardless of whether they are pregnant, a new study finds. Already, teenage girls are at greater risk of serious depression and suicidal ideation, which means considering or planning suicide…. Now, a new study published last week in JAMA Psychiatry, suggests that abortion bans – which have already been linked to higher rates of infant mortality and pregnancy complications, including pregnancy-related death – could be making things worse, with teen girls in states with bans experiencing higher rates of suicidal ideation than those in states without.
Kansas Judge Says Decision To Strike Abortion Restrictions not ‘Even a Close Call’
Kansas Reflector, August 4, 2026
A Kansas judge took a sledgehammer to a slate of abortion restrictions dating back to 1997, ruling the state came up short in arguing the Kansas Legislature should be able to impose waiting periods, mandate abortion reversal disclosures and require doctors to obtain patients’ reasons for seeking an abortion … “Today’s ruling allows me to do my job the way I was trained to and focus on what’s most important: my patients,” said Traci Lynn Nauser, an OB-GYN in Kansas and lead plaintiff in the case. “I have been caring for patients for nearly 30 years, but these laws have interfered with my ability to provide high-quality, evidence-based health care. I have been forced to lie to my patients and delay, or even deny, people care for no medical reason. This is not how health care should work.”
Lawmakers Push for Immigrant Woman’s Release and Medical Records After Suspected Miscarriage
The 19th, July 31, 2026
Lawmakers are seeking the release of an immigrant woman who says that — despite pleading for help after experiencing bleeding and severe pain, indications of a possible miscarriage – she has received limited medical care in detention…. DHS has come under heavy scrutiny for its treatment of pregnant, nursing and postpartum detainees, with multiple women saying they received poor or limited health care, had minimal follow-up for potential pregnancy complications, and struggled to acquire records of any medical care provided while in detention facilities.
ICYMI: In Case You Missed It
“When women succeed, America succeeds.” This was more than just a slogan for Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. She championed this ideal throughout her nearly forty-year career in Congress. She was no stranger to being first – first woman to serve as House Minority Whip, Minority Leader of the House and Speaker of the House.
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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.
