MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'courts'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:12:09 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5103315&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F05%2Flatina-week-of-action-for-reproductive-justice%2F This week, the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health and other organizations have been observing the second annual Latina Week of Action for Reproductive Justice: This year’s theme is Caminamos: Justice for Immigrant Women. We’re inviting everyone to join us in moving toward a brighter future for immigrant women and their families. Mean-spirited enforcement, workplace exploitation, and the criminalization of basic rights like education and health care are just a few of the challenges that have forced immigrant women into the shadows and ignored the crucial, positive role we play in our communities. Action items for the week include calling for a review of the 287(g) program and online discussion on the theme, “what’s the real problem behind the targeting of ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5103315 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 17:27:53 +0100 5103315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5086114&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F07%2F31%2Fsunday-news-round-up-attack-kitty-edition%2F I haven’t done one of these in a while, having been distracted by the heat, the carless situation, dad’s cancer, mom’s hip replacement re-replacement, work, leveling my first character in Warcraft (now a level 71 undead frost mage – I don’t want to duel you!), and life in general. Tonight, though, I’m at my parents’ house (sitting with mom after said re-replacement), in a town with <30 thousand people that gets really, truly dark at night, World of Warcraft won't run on this computer, and I think I've reached the end of the internet. Might as well do something. The FDA has issued a warning not to use emergency contraception labeled as Evital. The agency says, These products may be counterfeit versions of the “morning after pill” ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5086114 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 04:40:55 +0100 5086114 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4960045&cid=t_161940_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FM0GW84_LlEY%2F By Ilya ShapiroEarlier this month I blogged about the U.S. Department of Education’s recent push to eliminate free speech and due process on campus.  More and more people are starting to notice this attempt by the department’s Office of Civil Rights to force colleges — by threatening an investigation and loss of federal funds — to redefine sexual harrassment to include unwelcome flirting and sex jokes and then lower the burden of proof they use when determining whether students or staff are guilty of violating the new code of behavior. And now we have a characteristically astute article by the Washington Examiner‘s Michael Barone.  Money quote: Education Secretary Arne Duncan has shown an admirable openness to argument and intellectual debate. Perhaps someone ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4960045 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:57:44 +0100 4960045 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934014&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F06%2F16%2Freport-of-a-woman-asked-to-stop-breastfeeding-in-memphis-area-social-security-office%2F Via Lindsey at The Memphis Blog, I learned of a report of a woman told by security at a Memphis, TN area Social Security office that she could not breastfeed her eight-month-old baby while waiting in line at the office. When she told the officer that she had the right to breastfeed where she was, the officer and then a manager tried to shuttle her off to a conference room, and was allegedly told that the office as a federal facility has its own rules. Problem is, there is apparently a law specifically authorizing women to breastfeed on federal property where they are otherwise allowed to be – and it’s been law for more than a decade (see section 647). Tennessee law is also quite clear, stating that “A mother has a right to breastfeed her child who is twelve (12) months ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934014 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:34:05 +0100 4934014 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911573&cid=t_161940_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F07%2Fhow-forensic-psychology-began-and-flourished%2F There are many subsets of psychology. No doubt one of the most fascinating is forensic psychology. Forensic psychology is basically the intersection of psychology and the legal system. It’s quite a broad field. Psychologists work in a variety of settings, including police departments, prisons, courts and juvenile detention centers. And they do everything from assessing whether an incarcerated individual is ready for parole to advising attorneys on jury selection to serving as experts on the stand to counseling cops and their spouses to creating treatment programs for offenders. Most are trained as clinical or counseling psychologists. So how did this interesting specialty emerge and expand? Here’s a brief look at the history of forensic psychology. The Birth of Forensic Psychology The... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911573 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:09:18 +0100 4911573 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4883527&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F30%2Fi-am-a-giant-whiner-about-the-heat-and-attempts-to-defund-planned-parenthood-in-tennessee%2F Ugh. The air conditioner at my place has been broken for the last few weeks, and it’s been a pretty constant 85 degrees in here. I have no idea how people tolerate the south without a/c on a regular basis – the persistent heat is making me whiny and angry and just generally unpleasant. It also has the effect of making it less pleasant for me to focus the energy to post about whatever nonsense our state legislature is up to related to women and their bodies. If the heat didn’t make me cranky enough, Senator Stacey Campfield (R, duh), added an item to the state budget to “cut off $747,900 a year in federal money for non-abortion family-planning and women’s health services to Planned Parenthood in Memphis and $335,000 to Planned Parenthood in Nashville.” No... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4883527 Mon, 30 May 2011 15:05:25 +0100 4883527 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862513&cid=t_161940_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FmGTytT7-JcU%2F By Walter OlsonThanks to star libertarian lawprof and Cato senior fellow Randy Barnett for pointing out something that has needed saying for a while: most proposals in the U.S. Congress to address medical malpractice law run into serious federalism problems. Most medical malpractice suits go forward in state courts under state law. If the U.S. Congress wishes to impose a nationwide rule on these suits, such as by limiting damages for pain and suffering, it first needs to answer the question: under which of the federal government’s constitutionally prescribed powers is it acting? Even if it can identify such authority, it should also ask: is it a wise idea—consistent with what one might call a prudential federalism—to gather yet more power in Washington at the expense of the state... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862513 Tue, 24 May 2011 19:43:47 +0100 4862513 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4852819&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F22%2Ftennessee-constitutional-amendment-on-abortion-to-go-to-voters-planned-parenthood-responds%2F SJR127, a joint resolution in the Tennessee legislature to “provide that nothing in Constitution of Tennessee secures or protects right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion,” has passed through the legislature. It will go to a public vote on the 2014 state ballot. The resolution has been raised for years, but never made it through both arms of the legislature until now. Supporters argue that the change would Tennessean’s abortion rights in line with those in the rest of the country by making our state Constitution neutral on the matter. Voting in the change could allow further restrictions, and in the (presumably unlikely) event of a total Roe overturn, it would allow a state ban on abortion. Naturally, I’m not too enthused about this move to make th... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4852819 Sun, 22 May 2011 16:00:58 +0100 4852819 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803005&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F08%2Fsunday-news-round-up-car-freecarless-edition%2F This post is late because I was busy taking the bus to get here.* I wrote several times in 2008 about the case of Juana Villegas, an immigrant in Nashville who was arrested as the result of a traffic stop and ultimately ended up shackled to a hospital bed during labor, separated from her newborn for two days without seeing him, and denied a breast pump or cream for lactating women. This past week, a federal judge ruled in her favor that the shackling during labor and after delivery violated her civil rights. I have a full post up at Our Bodies Our Blog on this topic. I also have a full post up at the OBOS blog on the Skin Deep database, which provides info on the safety and ingredients of skin care and cosmetic products. I spent the last few days at the IHA Health Literacy conference. I... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803005 Sun, 08 May 2011 17:00:17 +0100 4803005 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4696585&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F04%2F11%2Fwhat-should-i-do-with-my-uterus-lets-put-it-to-a-vote%2F In this morning’s Nashville, TN newspaper: Tennessee’s abortion protections are scheduled to come up for debate in the legislature today, in a critical vote that could determine whether the issue goes before voters in 2014. What’s meant to go before voters – if/when it clears the state legislature – is an amendment to the state Constitution to say that “Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion.” Supporters plan to implement waiting periods, legislated scripts for doctors, and other restrictions if the amendment is passed. Naturally pro-choice folks -including me – are concerned about: a) amending the Constitution to suggest fewer rights for women; b) putting it up to a popul... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4696585 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:15:25 +0100 4696585 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4676727&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F04%2F03%2Fsunday-news-round-up-sunny-day-edition-2%2F The New England Journal of Medicine published a freely available Clinical Practice article, “Care of Transsexual Persons.” It covers hormones, surgery, and adolescents. Note that it does use the problematic gender identity “disorder” language as included in the DSM and it also promotes the standard psychological counseling hoops that transgender persons must jump through prior to obtaining treatment – Julia Serano‘s “Whipping Girl” provides a good primer on why those hoops can be problematic. It might be worth checking out what kinds of materials health care providers are seeing regarding these topics, including how they’re problematic. Relatedly, there’s a possibility that “gender identity disorder” will be renamed &... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4676727 Sun, 03 Apr 2011 23:04:37 +0100 4676727 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4622201&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F22%2Fsouth-dakota-passes-law-requiring-potentially-deceptive-non-medical-counseling-for-abortion%2F HB1217 was signed into law today by the Governor of South Dakota; it will require women to visit crisis pregnancy centers (called “pregnancy help centers” in the bill) in order to effectively get their permission to obtain an abortion. Those centers are known for misleading women about the medical risks of abortion, and exist primarily to try to convince women not to choose abortion. These centers are not staffed by licensed medical or psychological professionals. Women will be required to receive a presentation on “what education, counseling, and other assistance is available to help the pregnant mother keep and care for her child.” This would be fine, if it were intended to help women make an educated choice rather than to sway them to a specific choice (without unduly i... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4622201 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 02:11:27 +0100 4622201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4554594&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F06%2Fsunday-news-round-up-now-with-fewer-omitted-gs%2F A few things of interest from the past week: RHRC has a whole series on obstetric fistula. March 3 was International Sex Workers Rights Day. As Naomi shared in the comments of a previous post, Rachel Maddow recently had on two Republican women who are Wyoming state reps and who reject recent state anti-abortion efforts. The two women describe themselves as small government conservatives, and state that they don’t believe government should interfere in such private decisions. The video is here, with a transcript mode option. Book Nerds! Deeply Problematic has an essay, “Hermione Granger and the Failures of Feminism.” It focuses primarily on how Hermione tries to bust in and forcibly “free” the house elves without actually talking to them about what they want... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4554594 Sun, 06 Mar 2011 17:36:11 +0100 4554594 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4527720&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F02%2F27%2Fsunday-news-round-up-sunburn-edition%2F A bit of what I’ve been reading this week, when I haven’t been outside getting a mild sunburn. In February. Via fellow librarian Bobbie Newman, I learned of this piece, “The Hazards of Leading Culture Change” (click on the download link for the PDF). It’s kind of oriented toward businesses/organizations instead of movements/activism, but there were a few points I thought were relevant: “When you are up to your backside in alligators,” goes the oft-quoted line, “it is hard to remember you were there to drain the swamp.” Organizations under pressure are fraught with alligators-those seemingly never ceasing crises that keep leaders up at night. But, if all the energy goes into simply fighting alligators, there will always be alligators. Culture change is... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4527720 Sun, 27 Feb 2011 17:34:44 +0100 4527720 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4472937&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F02%2F13%2Fsunday-news-round-up-attacks-on-reproductive-rights-edition%2F Three things this week that I think are important to focus on for advocates of reproductive rights and justice: HR3, HR358, and proposed cuts to Title X family planning funding and other women’s health services. I wrote about HR3 and HR358 at Our Bodies Our Blog this week. There, I note that I particularly appreciated the succinct explanations provided by Jennifer Steinhauer in the New York Times, excerpted below. 1) On HR3: One bill, the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act,” would eliminate tax breaks for private employers who provide health coverage if their plans offer abortion services, and would forbid women who use a flexible spending plan to use pre-tax dollars for abortions. Those restrictions would go well beyond current law prohibiting the use of federal money for ab... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4472937 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 17:36:07 +0100 4472937 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4441965&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F02%2F06%2Fsunday-news-round-up-everything-is-miscellaneous%2F Via Siobhan, a project intended to train volunteer interpreters to provide services to survivors of torture, trauma, and sexual abuse. Lyon-Martin Health Services in San Francisco, which serves a lot of people of color, gay and lesbian and transgender people, is raising money to try to stay open. Vivir Latino is going to be tweeting on Monday from a media breakfast hosted by the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Latina Magazine, on issues and inequalities in reproductive health care affecting Latinas. I’m not terribly familiar with abortion laws in Mexico, but the Latin American and Caribbean Women’s Health network reports on the case of a woman apparently sentenced to a 23-year jail term for murder/abortion for what she states was a miscarriage. The Ovarian Canc... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4441965 Sun, 06 Feb 2011 19:29:31 +0100 4441965 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3987044&cid=t_161940_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F273u-NWF8og%2F By Ilya Shapiro“These kids today and their violent [blank]….” This refrain has been around for as long as there have been kids – and elders to shake their fists at them. In the 19th century, dime novels and “penny dreadfuls” were blamed for social ills and juvenile delinquency. In the 1950s, for example, psychologist Fredric Wertham’s attack on comic books – in his bluntly titled book Seduction of the Innocent – so ignited the national ire that Congress held hearings on the cartoon menace. In response, the comic book industry voluntarily adopted a ratings system. Similarly, backlash against the movie industry and the music industry (e.g., Tipper Gore’s attack on gangsta rap) caused those respective industries to also adopt volu... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3987044 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 11:06:26 +0100 3987044 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3954260&cid=t_161940_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdoes-defensive-medicine-cost-less-than-doctors-think%2F2010.09.09 Nothing polarizes the heath care debate more than defensive medicine. A recent study from Health Affairs will only add more fuel to the fire. Here’s what I wrote a couple of years ago in USA Today: “When you consider that rampant testing is a major driver of escalating health care dollars, addressing defensive medicine should be a primary goal of cost containment.” Is that still true? Well, yes and no. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at KevinMD.com* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3954260 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:00:28 +0100 3954260 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3924888&cid=t_161940_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F7haUacb_mtQ%2F By Tim LynchWe know that most of the people arrested and prosecuted in our criminal courts are indigent.  We also know that indigent legal representation is scandalous in many places around the country.  What to do?  The conventional remedy to this problem has been a plea to spend more money on our overburdened public defender organizations.  However, a new Cato paper takes a fresh look at this subject and proposes an entirely new model for the delivery of indigent legal services — defense vouchers that will empower defendants to choose their own attorneys.  Authors Stephen Schulhofer and David Friedman explain how such a system could be implemented and why it can be expected to provide an effective cure for the major ills of indigent defense organization. From the Executive Su... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3924888 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:29:49 +0100 3924888 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3827017&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F05%2Fmy-highlights-from-the-proposition-8-decision%2F The court decision that ruled unconstitutional Proposition 8 – a ballot initiative which banned same sex marriage in California – has no shortage of online coverage and commentary. Seriously, just google news & blog search it; you don’t need additional comments from me. Instead, I’m highlighting a couple of the passages that make me all happy. I have a warm fuzzy feeling about the following passage that is almost indecent: Many of the purported interests identified by proponents are nothing more than a fear or unarticulated dislike of same-sex couples. Those interests that are legitimate are unrelated to the classification drawn by Proposition 8. The evidence shows that, by every available metric, opposite-sex couples are not better than their same-sex counterp... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3827017 Fri, 06 Aug 2010 00:30:22 +0100 3827017 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3808644&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F01%2Fsunday-news-round-up-2%2F Some items of interest this week: Following up on the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, just a note to check out @Disabilitygov on Twitter, which tweets disability-related news and resources and is tied to the U.S. government site, disability.gov. Also, a new document has been released by the government, Access To Medical Care For Individuals With Mobility Disabilities. It is intended to be an educational tool for health care providers, as it provides standards and answers to frequently asked questions about patient care, but could also be a good tool for individuals who need to raise accessibility concerns with providers. There is also a PDF version that could be downloaded and printed. At Academic Ob/Gyn, Dr. Nicholas Fogelson describes his dislike for the term ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3808644 Sun, 01 Aug 2010 18:41:19 +0100 3808644 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3743505&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F11%2Fweekly-news-round-up-another-three-day-weekend-edition%2F I’m taking Monday off work. Because I have the terrific privilege of paid vacation days, and have enough of them that I’ve actually topped out and will not accrue more until I take some of them. First, a few of my recent posts at Our Bodies Our Blog that I’ve neglected to link up here: Quick Hit: Public Comment Open on Hospital Visitation Rule Change – public comments are being accepted until August 27 on a proposed rule change that would protect patients’ rights to choose and designate their own visitors during a hospital stay and make hospital visitation much easier for LGBTQI patients and their partners HealthCare.gov Provides Tools for Understanding Health Care Options – a bit about a new government website with information on the implementation of th... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3743505 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 15:50:32 +0100 3743505 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3542539&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F06%2Ftennessees-governor-elects-not-to-veto-abortion-coverage-ban%2F As the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports today, Governor Phil Bredesen decided not to veto a Tennessee bill that “bar(s) coverage of abortion in any health plan offered through a state-run health insurance exchange to be created under health reform.” In a letter issued yesterday, the Governor wrote: “While I am concerned about potential unintended consequences of this legislation, I have allowed it to become law because the health care exchanges that would be impacted by this legislation will not become operational until 2014, giving the General Assembly time to rethink this issue and address the concerns created by this bill.” In other words, Tennessee will elect a new Governor this fall, and he doesn’t like it, but he’s going to leave it for someon... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3542539 Thu, 06 May 2010 23:44:38 +0100 3542539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3524087&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F02%2Fsunday-news-round-up-early-morning-tornado-siren-edition%2F Yikes – here in Nashville we’ve had some intense weather this weekend. I mean, it’s not every day that a portable classroom floats down the interstate. First, check out all of the great posts that were part of Blogging Against Disablism Day. Or maybe do that last, because you will be there for a while. I haven’t read them all, but one post I particularly liked was on the scrutiny of people who need painkilling medications. Info on the Children’s/Infants’ Tylenol, C/I Motrin, and children’s Zyrtec and Benadryl is online at http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com SB 529, the “OB/GYN Criminalization and Racial Discrimination Act” in Georgia (on race and abortion), was killed in committee. SisterSong has a press release [PDF] and Jodi Jacobson... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3524087 Sun, 02 May 2010 12:56:19 +0100 3524087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3502782&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F25%2Fweekly-news-round-up-weather-radio-edition%2F I spent most of yesterday* listening to the weather radio repeatedly sound its alarm (we had tornado watches and severe thunderstorm warnings most of the day), watching the driveway fill up with water, and wondering what the lightning just hit to make that sound. It seems only right to start the round-up, then, with tornado safety tips: from NOAA; for kids; from the CDC; in Spanish; from the Red Cross. Nominations for the Our Bodies Ourselves 2010 Women’s Health Heroes awards are open through this Friday! Science & Sensibility has an interview with Judith Rooks about the use of nitrous oxide for labor pain relief and her advocacy for expanding the availability of this method in the United States. RH Reality Check has a couple of pieces responding to the meme that younger women ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3502782 Sun, 25 Apr 2010 16:30:21 +0100 3502782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3501488&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F24%2Fmusings-on-an-oklahoma-abortion-law-veto%2F This week, Governor Henry of Oklahoma vetoed a piece of abortion legislation; HB 2780, as the Governor’s office’s press release stated, “would have forced women to undergo an ultrasound and listen to a detailed description of it before they could obtain an abortion.” I think this bill deserved to be vetoed, and had a high likelihood of being overturned in court, so I think it was correct that it would have resulted in costly legal battles for the state. However, I take issue with the explanation of one other primary rationale as listed in the press release (and expressed in the veto statement): In his veto message, Gov. Henry reiterated his support for reasonable restrictions on abortion, but said HB 2780 had several flaws, including the lack of an exemption for rap... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3501488 Sat, 24 Apr 2010 15:24:40 +0100 3501488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486987&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F20%2Fgo-read-this%2F Aunt B on The True Meaning of HB 2681/SB 2686 [which is a bill in the Tennessee legislature which states "No health care plan required to be established in this state through an exchange pursuant to federal health care reform legislation enacted by the 111th Congress shall offer coverage for abortion services."] Filed under: Abortion, Access, Rights, & Choice, Ethics, Government, Laws, Legislation, & Courts (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486987 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:29:41 +0100 3486987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3487125&cid=t_161940_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F04%2F20%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-april-20-2010%2F It will be Earth Day in a few days. How will you celebrate? I caught the last half of Nostradamus 2012 on the The History Channel this weekend and was temporarily freaked out. I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready for the world to end in a few years. This Earth Day, you’ll find me recycling paper, reusing old bottles and even unplugging my laptop so that I can relax and reboot by spending more time with Mother Nature. After all, it’s also almost Mother’s Day (May 9th, in case you were wondering). Besides scaring me to be more environmentally-friendly, the show also got me thinking about the importance of appreciating the now and planning for the future; two concepts you’ll see intertwined in this week’s round up. However you celebrate the day, ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3487125 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:14:08 +0100 3487125 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3480778&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F18%2Fweekly-news-round-up-418%2F At RHRC, Robin Marty has a rundown of states working to ban abortion coverage in health exchanges related to health reform legislation. This includes Tennessee, where HB 2681 has passed the state House and would “prohibit[s] coverage for abortion services under any health care plan through an exchange required to be established in this state pursuant to federal health care reform legislation.” More locally, Speak to Power talks about concerns that have been raised about whether this bill could limit contraception coverage as well. My understanding is that local liberal talk radio show Liberadio(!) will be discussing the issue in their Monday show as well. Speaking of Tennessee, the Unnecesarean has some summary c-section rates by hospital for the state. I’m really curio... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3480778 Sun, 18 Apr 2010 15:46:17 +0100 3480778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3440841&cid=t_161940_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F04%2F06%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-april-6-2010%2F April showers bring May flowers. And this past week it’s been raining enough to grow a whole football field of them. But a follower on Twitter yesterday got me thinking about another meaning behind this popular children’s rhyme. Maybe it’s the storm inside that’s really stealing our energy and attention. It’s all the work and heartache we’re going through now that will inevitably become our own rainbow, our own future field of flowers. So this post is dedicated to you, all of you who work so hard on themselves, transforming your inner and outer lives, and working through the endless days of rain for the hope of one day experiencing the reward and joy of your own flower filled inner garden. I hope you’ll enjoy this week’s round-up of intrigui... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3440841 Tue, 06 Apr 2010 11:18:06 +0100 3440841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3412426&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F27%2Fweekly-news-round-up-digital-divide-style%2F Birthing Beautiful Ideas has a criticism of What to Expect When You’re Expecting’s VBAC “advice.” The CDC released a report on Recent Trends in Cesarean Delivery in the United States [PDF]. First among the key findings: “The cesarean rate rose by 53% from 1996 to 2007, reaching 32%, the highest rate ever reported in the United States.” Via a round-up at FWD/Forward, Some Reasons to Provide Transcripts. Also, Happy Ada Lovelace Day! Via RHRC, I learned of a South Carolina bill requiring women to wait 24 hours to get an abortion after seeing an ultrasound. Regular readers know I feel about such laws. The kind of innovative thing, I think, is that women can go get their forced ultrasound anywhere and print time-stamped material from the web that they&#8217... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3412426 Sat, 27 Mar 2010 19:43:12 +0100 3412426 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3398850&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F23%2Fon-health-reform%2F Still on limited internet access, but at OBOS Christine has a great post on health care reform generally, and I have a bit on some pieces of the bill specific to pregnancy/maternal health. Also check out: At RHRC, Jodi Jacobson has The Health Care Bill and Women’s Health: Wins, Losses, and Challenges National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health: A Bittersweet Health Care Reform Victory…at the Expense of Women and Immigrants Lynn Paltrow of National Advocates for Pregnant Women: A Reflection on Historic Health Care Reform! Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health: Statement of Suzanne Poppema, MD, Board Chair of Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health, on Final Push for Health Care Reform Katha Pollitt at The Nation: Payback for Prochoicers, and Jos at Feministing ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3398850 Tue, 23 Mar 2010 22:13:53 +0100 3398850 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3331243&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F04%2Fa-tennessee-abortion-bill-and-some-musings-on-the-framing%2F This is going to be one of those “musing out loud, wall of text” posts, so sit tight, or go look around the archives for shorter fare. Now then. There’s a bill proposed in my home state of Tennessee that would require abortion providers to put up signs effectively saying that it’s illegal for anyone to force a woman to have an abortion. Okay, then. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to try to tease out whether a woman is being coerced into having an abortion and to make sure she is choosing abortion of her own free will. In fact, I think that is a pretty standard part of pre-abortion counseling. Still, I don’t see what harm putting up signs in waiting areas and patient areas does. Reinforcing a woman’s personal bodily autonomy is never a bad thi... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3331243 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:03:26 +0100 3331243 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3212264&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F26%2Fbig-surprise-tennessee%2F The Tennessee legislature is back in session. So, no surprise that somebody filed an abortion-related bill. SB 2687 / HB 2680 – from Diane Black and Matthew Hill, both Republican SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 56, is amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately designated section: No qualified health plan established in this state through an American Health Benefit Exchange or Small Business Health Options Program (known as a SHOP Exchange) pursuant to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act shall offer coverage for abortion services. For purposes of this section, “abortion” has the same meaning as defined in § 39-15-201. So, on the off chance that federal health reform legislation doesn’t include a bunch of on-top-... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3212264 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:42:53 +0100 3212264 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3182137&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F17%2Fweekly-news-round-up-117%2F First things first: fellow librarian Cliff Landis is matching donations to Partners in Health toward Haiti relief, up to $10,000 (matched to be up to $20,000), through February 28. Via Ms. Magazine, Ultrasound Requirement Approved by KY Senate Committee. It would require women to have and view (with physician commentary/description) an ultrasound prior to an abortion (and so differs from some other laws in that many require it to be offered but not viewed). I’ve written before that I find the whole forced ultrasound business to be paternalistic BS that assumes women just don’t know what they’re doing when they go for an abortion. And when about 60% of U.S. women who have abortions are already mothers? And just about everybody else has had some other woman show them a fuz... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3182137 Sun, 17 Jan 2010 17:35:25 +0100 3182137 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171830&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F13%2Fat-our-bodies-our-blog-emergency-contraception-for-military-women%2F At Our Bodies Our Blog, I have a post about proposed legislation to make emergency contraception available at all military health centers (as well as a somewhat cleaned up version of my post on the Florida court-ordered bed rest case – I can’t even say how much I love having an editor at OBOB). Posted in Abuse, Rape, & Safety, Access, Rights, & Choice, Birth, Contraception, Ethics, Laws, Legislation, & Courts, Pregnancy (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171830 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:31:21 +0100 3171830 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3167049&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F13%2Fcase-on-court-ordered-bed-rest-highlights-reproductive-rights-concerns-for-pregnant-women%2F Via a message from Aunt B, I learned of this Florida case in which Samantha Burton, a pregnant woman, visited her doctor with sins of a potential miscarriage at ~25 weeks. The doctor ordered bed rest, which Burton declined with the intent of seeking a second opinion, as she believed her two existing young children and keeping her job would make bed rest untenable. The doctor then contacted the state. She was ordered to stay in bed at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and to undergo “any and all medical treatments” her doctor, acting in the interests of the fetus, decided were necessary. Burton asked to switch hospitals and the request was denied by the court, which said “such a change is not in the child’s best interest at this time.” After three days of hospitalization, she had to u... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3167049 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:25:13 +0100 3167049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3111361&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F22%2Fon-morning-edition-update-on-roeder-case-and-the-justifiable-homicide-defense%2F Morning Edition this morning provided an update on the case of Scott Roeder, accused of murdering Dr. George Tiller (summary here, there doesn’t seem to be a transcript). Roeder pleaded not guilty in the shooting of Dr. Tiller, has admitted killing him, and claims he did it to protect unborn children (who I’d say were under no immediate threat while Dr. Tiller was at church that day). The justifiable homicide defense has apparently not been allowed when it has been attempted in previous cases of this nature. One supporter of the defense is interviewed and compares Roeder’s plea to stepping forward to defend a born child under attack, but the piece notes that Dr. Tiller was not engaged in any illegal activity, creating a distinction between the acts. The piece also notes ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3111361 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:02:02 +0100 3111361 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2977234&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F09%2Fmore-on-the-stupak-amendment%2F The Stupak amendment to the health reform legislation passed by the House yesterday prohibits federal funds for abortion services in the public option. It also prohibits individuals who receive affordability credits from purchasing a plan that provides elective abortions. However, it allows individuals, both who receive affordability credits and who do not, to separately purchase with their own funds plans that cover elective abortions. It also clarifies that private plans may still offer elective abortions. Here’s the roll call vote. NPR tonight covered a bit about the controversy around the amendment, and RH Reality Check has a number of relevant posts. As I mentioned yesterday, Christine has a couple of relevant posts and links to more resources at Our Bodies Our Blog as well. ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2977234 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:58:12 +0100 2977234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2954452&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F02%2Fsunday-news-round-up-monday-style-11209%2F For at least part of the past weekend, I was busy attending the Southern Chapter of the Medical Library Association’s annual conference in Memphis, TN, so the round-up is a bit delayed. A few things that caught my eye over the past week: Meharry Medical College in Nashville got a big grant to fund research in women’s health, eliminating cancer disparities and HIV/AIDS. A new edition of the Carnival Against Sexual Violence has been posted. Mom’s Tinfoil Hat is talking about conscience clauses and their responsible application. The National Women’s Law Center is doing a “Women’s Day of Action for Health Care Reform” blog-a-thon on Wednesday, Nov 4, and is asking women to sign up to “to blog, tweet or post for fair, affordable and comprehensive health... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2954452 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:58:27 +0100 2954452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916047&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F21%2Fat-our-bodies-our-blog-the-risks-of-egg-donation%2F At Our Bodies Our Blog today I have a bit about a California law requiring disclosure of potential health risks to women interested in being egg donors, an egg donation book for younger readers (sounds weird, I know), and a couple more related resources. Posted in Access, Rights, & Choice, Ethics, Laws, Legislation, & Courts, Women's Health (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916047 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:24:04 +0100 2916047 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916048&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F21%2Fupdate-on-privacy-threatening-oklahoma-abortion-law%2F Recently, I and many others wrote about an Oklahoma abortion law that could potentially seriously compromise the privacy (and safety) of women seeking abortions in that state. At issue is the law’s requirement that that each individual form be posted to a publicly available website. While traditionally identifying information would not be included on the form, public posting is an unnecessary for data collection and analysis and could still jeopardize women’s privacy (see this post for more on why I think that’s the case). The Center for Reproductive Rights has filed a lawsuit challenging the law. Via Women’s eNews, I learned that a temporary restraining order has been issued to block enforcement of the law until the district court judge has a chance to review the c... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916048 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:21:38 +0100 2916048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2901723&cid=t_161940_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2FdqVapU228Sc%2Fcbs-sunday-morning-to-feature-common-good-health-courts.html This weekend, tune in to CBS Sunday Morning for its lead story on Common Good, which, together with researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, has been analyzing and testing the viability of a system of administrative health courts to more rationally handle medical injury claims.  The CBS piece will look broadly at legal fear in America, a key thread in Common Good Chair and Founder Philip Howard's new book, Life Without Lawyers.  Interviews touched on health courts and their potential to reduce errors, boost patient safety and improve the overall quality of care, in addition to producing a more functional and effective process for resolving medical liability disputes.  Click here to find out where and when to watch in your area. (Source: Pioneering Ideas) Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2901723 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2901723 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2890621&cid=t_161940_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FAyL4iXsr2_w%2F In Bell Atlantic v. Twombly (2007) and Ashcroft v. Iqbal (2009), the Supreme Court gave trial courts more latitude to dismiss a lawsuit at a very early stage, before the parties have had a chance to engage in discovery (the often lengthy and expensive fact-finding stage of civil litigation), if judges think the suit is not founded on “plausible” allegations of wrongdoing.  There’s a rich, angry debate about the effect the decisions will have on dismissal rates of meritorious suits in lower courts. But the consensus among academics seems to be that both decisions will trigger a sea-change in lower court practice—one deeply unfavorable to plaintiffs. We won’t know the real effect of these decisions for many years to come. But a 2007 study by the Federal Judicial Center on the eff... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2890621 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:07:59 +0100 2890621 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2881155&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F11%2Fweekly-news-round-up-1011%2F The National Advocates for Pregnant Women reports that the United States Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit issued a decision in a case of an incarcerate woman who was shackled to the bed during labor, finding the practice “cruel and unusual” and thus unconstitutional. “Our Bodies, Ourselves” has been translated and adapted into a number of languages and cultures over the years; Christine writes about progress on Hebrew and Arabic versions. Nikki has H1N1 resources for children. RH Reality Check reports on the Limited-Service Pregnancy Centers Disclaimer Bill proposed in Baltimore to ensure that women visiting a Baltimore “crisis pregnancy center” are informed that they will not receive comprehensive birth control or abortion services or referrals... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2881155 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:08:49 +0100 2881155 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2875940&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F09%2Foklahoma-law-poses-serious-privacy-threat-to-women-obtaining-abortions%2F A new law, HB 1595, is set to take effect that could potentially seriously compromise the privacy (and safety) of women seeking abortions in that state. The law deals in part with collection of data about abortion in the state via an Individual Abortion Form which asks providers a number of questions about the details of the procedure and the woman requesting it. The law requires that the State Department of Health make the form available on its website to abortion providers, and that providers complete a form for each department and submit it to the State Department of Health. This in itself is not so problematic, as many states have this type of surveillance in place. Collecting this type of data, and reporting it in aggregate, allows us to know things that run contrary to popular myths... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2875940 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:35:41 +0100 2875940 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812368&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F20%2Fsunday-news-round-up-92009%2F I have to say, I haven’t had time to fully read and digest the Baucus/Senate Finance Committee’s 223-page [PDF] stab at health care reform. Christine had a bit about it at Our Bodies Our Blog on Wednesday, and Raisin Women’s Voices has a list of reasons they believe the bill is not good, especially for women. The New York Times had a piece on the bill “draw[ing] fire on both sides.” Another Times piece indicates that 564 amendments to the bill were filed in the past couple of days. The proposed amendments are currently available here. *** A Harvard public health grad, Mikhaila Richards, has set up a site about health disparities called Sick. It’s relatively new, but looks promising. I particularly liked this Auust piece on patient-clinician communicatio... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812368 Sun, 20 Sep 2009 15:55:31 +0100 2812368 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2790379&cid=t_161940_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FOibbLGZSZaA%2F An autistic 18-year-old has been judged not competent to stand trial in the fatal beating of his mother in Ravena, Ohio. The judge said he probably would rule next week on whether the young man will stand trial and, if not, whether to send him to a treatment facility; less than two weeks after the mental evaluations were completed in March, the man was moved from jail to a state-run center in Toledo. The defense had argued that Walker cannot carry on a conversation and would be unable to assist in his defense. He was disruptive at his first court appearance and was kept in a restraint chair and had a mask to keep him from spitting at deputies. Prior to the attack at the center of the case, the man’s 60-year-old mother had mentioned increased aggression from her son. Photo courtesy o... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2790379 Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:13:05 +0100 2790379 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782252&cid=t_161940_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F0C-a34DYUiE%2F Photo courtesy of kyz (flickr.com) We continue our week of spectrum artwork today! * * * A Book for Our Times: Understanding Jason (AuthorHouse) is a new book written by Marsha Rae Osborn and illustrated by DeOnna Mills, and it tells the story of a group of typical students who learn from their teacher how to accept and help an autistic student, Jason, fit in with their class. (Osborn is an RN and the mother of twin boys, one of whom has autism.) Told in rhymes, Jason seems typical of the kinds of titles we need to see more of. (”We don’t understand,” kids say, “Why does Jason act that way? He is different from us all, He can’t even catch a ball …”). I’ve always held that typically developing children often only benefit from learning about t... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782252 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:53:10 +0100 2782252 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2737686&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F27%2Ftennessee-hearing-proposed-rule-that-could-restrict-practice-of-nurse-midwives-nurse-anesthetists%2F A hearing is went on yesterday afternoon on a proposed rule on tamper-resistant prescriptions, but there has apparently been a push for a language change in the proposed rule that could effectively keep nurse midwives and nurse anesthetists from doing their jobs, as it would exclude them from having the authority to prescribe medications. The problem lies in a section of the rule [PDF, 0880-02-.23 2(b)] defining who is a “prescriber,” which states: (b) “Prescriber” means an individual licensed in Tennessee as a medical doctor, podiatrist, advanced practice nurse with a certificate of fitness to prescribe, dentist, optometrist, osteopathic physician, or physician assistant. According to my source, the Tennessee Medical Association (an organization for physicians, whose pres... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2737686 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:36:35 +0100 2737686 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2715903&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F19%2Fnew-york-to-end-shackling-of-pregnant-women-in-labor%2F New York Governor David Paterson appeared in response to recent protests to pledge to sign legislation that would prevent the shackling of pregnant women during labor and delivery. See this post from Emily at RH Reality Check, and the New York ACLU for more, and National Advocates for Pregnant Women for more information on issues of pregnant women’s rights in general. Posted in Abuse, Rape, & Safety, Access, Rights, & Choice, Birth, Laws, Legislation, & Courts (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2715903 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:41:07 +0100 2715903 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2695320&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F12%2Fat-our-bodies-our-blog-infection-rates-for-vaginal-birth-vs-cesarean-and-healthcare-reform-drama%2F Yesterday at Our Bodies Our Blog, I wrote about a new Danish registry study of postpartum infection rates for women by whether they had a vaginal birth or c-section delivery. Also at OBOB, Christine posted Political Diagnosis: Hijacking Healthcare Reform, with lots of commentary and links to coverage and debunking related to some of the egregious misrepresentations floating around (on the wind! like they came from nowhere! *ahem*). Posted in Access, Rights, & Choice, Birth, Government, Laws, Legislation, & Courts, Vaginas & Vulvas (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2695320 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:08:34 +0100 2695320 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2691435&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F11%2Fmaddow-on-embrace-of-scott-roeder-by-extreme-anti-abortion%2F Rachel Maddow last night spoke about militant pro-violence anti-abortionists who have been visiting Scott Roeder, killer of abortion provider Dr. Tiller, in jail. My OBOS Blog Partner Christine also apparently caught the segment, but she was still awake at midnight to post about it, while I had already turned into a pumpkin. Via C, links to Kansas City Star coverage of the visitors to Tiller’s murderer and related issues. According to the Star, visitors have included “Two convicted clinic bombers. The man behind the Army of God Web site. Several activists who once signed a declaration that defended the killing of abortion doctors.” Maddow interviewed Amy Hagstrom Miller, president of Whole Woman’s Health, for the piece, and the two spoke about whether these types of v... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2691435 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:11:09 +0100 2691435 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2663918&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F02%2Fweekly-news-round-up-more-links-than-you-can-handle%2F From some recent event or conference, and via @kgs, “Information is how librarians express love.” Check out the links to information below and consider yourself loved, because there is lots and lots of good stuff this week. I’m going to refer you to Our Bodies Our Blog, of course. We’ll be on a bit of a sabbatical this week, but there are plenty of recent posts of interest to catch up on. Via one of Christine’s recent posts, for example, I learned of Oakland-based Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice, which “work(s) toward the day when all people have the power and resources to make healthy decisions about our gender, bodies and sexuality for ourselves, our families and our communities.” It’s World Breastfeeding Week. Check out the li... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2663918 Sun, 02 Aug 2009 20:15:15 +0100 2663918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2598175&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F13%2Fnerds-love-c-span%2F And I am one of those nerds. You can watch a ton of coverage related to Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation hearings on the site. In the “Highlights,” you can hear Patrick Leahy regulate in response to an outburst – apparently one of those involved in the outburst was “Jane Roe” (Norma McCorvey), who is now an anti-choice activist. Posted in Events & Observances, Laws, Legislation, & Courts, Web Resources (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2598175 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:50:05 +0100 2598175 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2517198&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F25%2Fsupreme-court-rules-that-schools-strip-search-of-teen-girl-violates-4th-amendment-rights%2F In April, I wrote about a case headed for the Supreme Court in which a young teen girl was strip searched because the school suspected (based on another teen’s allegation) that she might have prescription-strength ibuprofen on her. The school personnel made her, essentially, shake out her bra and panties. They did not call a parent or guardian first, much less have one present. I described in the previous post some of the reasons why I found this act appalling. The Supreme Court has now issued its opinion on the matter [PDF], and ruled that the search of the 13-year-old girl’s underwear violated her Fourth Amendment rights (against unreasonable search and seizure). However, those who executed the search will not be held liable. Justice Souter in the Court’s opinion write... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2517198 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:50:41 +0100 2517198 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510197&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F17%2Fbad-times-for-pregnant-women%2F Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like every day this week I’ve seen another story about questionable to outright appalling treatment of pregnant women. One was the case of a woman with allegedly false immigration documents, who learned that she was pregnant and HIV positive. The judge in that case decided to sentence her to prison through her due date (longer than the sentence might otherwise have been), under the rationale that she would receive medical/HIV treatment in prison. Something is really, really wrong when prison is a first, best option for medical care, especially for a pregnant woman. Apparently this decision wasn’t made on behalf of the woman and whatever pregnancy-related care she may need, though, but with an eye toward forcing her to take medications to red... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510197 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:56:52 +0100 2510197 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2473168&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F11%2Fat-our-bodies-our-blog-legislative-action-alert-medicaid-birth-center-reimbursement-act%2F A bill has been introduced in the House to require Medicaid payments to freestanding birth centers. More info on the bill, how to take action, and links to lots of previous OBOB posts for background are available in the post. Posted in Access, Rights, & Choice, Birth, Laws, Legislation, & Courts (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2473168 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:55:17 +0100 2473168 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452341&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F04%2Fat-our-bodies-our-blog-obos-joins-aclu-lawsuit-challenging-breast-and-ovarian-cancer-gene-patents%2F On May 12, the ACLU and the Public Patent Foundation filed a lawsuit against the U.S Patent and Trademark Office, Myriad Genetics and the University of Utah Research Foundation, “charging that patents on two human genes associated with breast and ovarian cancer are unconstitutional and invalid.” The suit focuses on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, mutations of which are related to increased risk of breast and/or ovarian cancers. OBOS has joined the suit as a plaintiff, along with Breast Cancer Action and others. Learn more about the suit, the issue in general, and how to sign a statement of support for the effort at Our Bodies Our Blog. Posted in Access, Rights, & Choice, Boobs, Cancer, Ethics, Laws, Legislation, & Courts, Women's Health (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452341 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:52:10 +0100 2452341 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441093&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F27%2Fat-our-bodies-our-blog-anti-shackling-bill-passes-in-new-york-state-lots-more%2F Today at Our Bodies Our Blog, I have a post on a bill that would prohibit the shackling of pregnant, incarcerated women in labor that has passed both the New York state House and Assembly and is on its way to the governor for a signature. There are also links to more readings and resources on the topic of incarcerated women, especially with regards to pregnancy specifically and health generally. Also, Christine has been kicking her usual butt with posts on Prop 8 and Sotomayor, a Double Dose, and the Political Diagnosis. I owe her huge thanks for taking up my slack during MLA last week. Finally, don’t forget that you can follow Judy of OBOS on Twitter, connect on Facebook, and donate online (or via snail mail, if you prefer). Posted in Access, Rights, & Choice, Birth, Ethics, L... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441093 Wed, 27 May 2009 21:11:28 +0100 2441093 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2364876&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F23%2Fupdate-guilty-verdict-in-murder-of-angie-zapata%2F Read an account of the trial as it happened (in reverse order-hit more at the bottom to go further back) from twitter.com/justiceforangie and more coverage at http://www.angiezapata.com/ Posted in Abuse, Rape, & Safety, Laws, Legislation, & Courts (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2364876 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:43:17 +0100 2364876 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2353734&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F21%2Fregistering-my-disapproval-school-strip-search-case%2F I caught this piece on NPR this morning, “Supreme Court To Hear School Strip-Search Case.” It’s about a 13-year-old honors student with no history of disciplinary problems who was “asked to strip down to her underwear and stood there while the nurse and secretary inspected her clothes and shoes.” Because they just *suspected* she might have drugs on her. They found nothing. “Then, you know, I thought they were going to let me put my clothes back on, but instead they asked me to pull out my bra and shake it, and the crotch on my underwear, too,” Redding says. Oh. hell. no. I don’t even think school kids should have to do random drug tests or drug tests to be allowed to participate in after-school activities. I figure that if a kid is experim... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2353734 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:14:55 +0100 2353734 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2347682&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F15%2Fend-hate-light-a-candle-for-angie-zapata%2F http://www.angiezapata.com/ - “Angie Zapata was brutally murdered in Greeley, Colorado in July 2008. Angie was a transgender woman and she was murdered because of anti-transgender bias.” The website above has sections of information about Angie Zapata, what it means to be transgender, Colorado’s hate crimes law, and the Matthew Shepard Act. The murder trial began yesterday, and the site notes that “The trial marks the first time that Colorado’s gender identity-inclusive hate crimes statute — and in fact any state’s hate crimes law — has been applied in the investigation and prosecution of an anti-transgender murder case.” There’s also a Facebook page. So many other people have done a good job of covering this already, and it was from Renee of Wo... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2347682 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:31:01 +0100 2347682 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2347686&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F12%2Fweekly-news-round-up-6%2F Don’t forget to nominate your Women’s Health Heroes! April 13 on Fresh Air - “Michelle Goldberg discusses the politics, ideology and history of reproductive rights around the world.” Lauredhel at Hoyden About town is asking for disability activism book recommendations, and received a number of suggestions in the comments. RH Reality Check is launching what seems to be a community blog-type feature. Lauren O at blogofchampions has some questions about that anti-gay marriage ad. The Southern Poverty Law Center has The Bandana Project, “part of a national initiative to end workplace sexual violence against farmworker women.” A number of folks on why date rape is not funny and why they will not be seeing movie Observe & Report. I usually dislike campai... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2347686 Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:01:40 +0100 2347686 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2306035&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F04%2Fproposed-legislation-on-pregnant-women-drug-testing-in-tennessee-revised%2F In February, I posted about a bill proposed in the Tennessee legislature that began thusly: The general assembly declares that, as a matter of public policy of this state and in the interest of public health, pregnant women who abuse alcohol and drugs pose a risk to their unborn children. Pregnant women who meet certain criteria, as determined by the department…shall be tested for alcohol and drugs in order to encourage them to seek immediate treatment for an alcohol-related or drug-related problem. It included language that would have forced drug testing on women with tragic complications in wanted pregnancies, women who didn’t adhere to some standard of “adequate” prenatal care, women who were known to have in the past used drugs or alcohol. I had more problems ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2306035 Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:06:58 +0100 2306035 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2270151&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F15%2Fweekly-news-round-up-2%2F Your Sunday digestables. I’m sure there are plenty of great things I’ve missed, so feel free to leave your links in the comments (as long as they’re not spammy, which is at my discretion). A campaign to get people to stop saying “retarded” as an insult. There are a bunch of video PSAs on YouTube related to this project. Relatedly, if you missed it before, Wanda Sykes in a PSA asking people to stop using “gay” as an insult. Bird food also contaminated by salmonella-tainted peanut butter? Two open access, freely available online journals may be of interest to readers: Conflict and Health, and BMC International Health and Human Rights. The Observer on the problem of sexual assault in Haiti. Domestic violence knowledge path from the Maternal and Chi... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2270151 Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:54:20 +0100 2270151 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2255659&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F11%2Fonline-commenting-open-on-rescinding-the-conscience-rule%2F Regulations.gov now has the proposed rule to the rescind Bush administration’s last minute “conscience” rule here. It’s all ready to receive your online submissions of public comments, which are due by April 9, 2009. To comment online, click on the little yellow “speech bubble” beside the text, “Add Comments.” You can view the entire proposed rule by clicking on the html or PDF icons beside “Views.” Posted in Access, Rights, & Choice, Government, Laws, Legislation, & Courts (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2255659 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:52:40 +0100 2255659 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2255662&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F10%2Fsometimes-being-southern-isnt-enough%2F …to give a woman the skills to respond gracefully to some nonsense. All the “bless his heart, but that man ain’t right”s in the world don’t quite cover it when the Family Action Council’s David Fowler gives an interview about reproductive health-related bills in Tennessee that will be up for committee discussion tomorrow and says this: “Many women think it’s just a blog[sic?] of cells or tissues. But literally within eight days, I think you can notice the heartbeat on the sonogram and when they begin to understand the truth about what is inside their body, they recognize it as a human being and a child.” Really, 8 days, beating heart, visible to all the world on a sonogram! It’s a magic heretofore unknown to humans! And reasonabl... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2255662 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:33:49 +0100 2255662 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2215973&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F25%2Fsalons-broadsheet-on-sb1065hb890-forced-drug-tests-for-pregnant-women%2F The bill I posted and criticized recently, which would require drug and alcohol testing of certain pregnant women in Tennessee, has caught the attention of Salon’s Broadsheet, who were nice enough to include a link back here in their post on the bill. In the post, Nancy Goldstein makes excellent points about the existing lack of availability of adequate facilities for mothers seeking drug treatment. Posted in Access, Rights, & Choice, Birth, Ethics, Laws, Legislation, & Courts, Pregnancy, Women's Health (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2215973 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:59:28 +0100 2215973 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2209459&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F24%2Ftennessee-constitutional-amendment-on-abortion-up-for-committee-discussion-today%2F I’d be remiss in not pointing out that Resolutions HJR61 and HJR66 will be heard today in Tennessee’s House Public Health and Family Assistance Subcommittee. Both of these propose amending our state constitution to add language that ” to provide that nothing in Constitution of Tennessee secures or protects right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion.” One of them, HJR66, doesn’t bother to include any exceptions even for “circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother,” but rather leaves it to “the people,” through their state legislators, to amend it if they don’t like it. The other, HJR61, does include these exceptions. The one with the exception was sponso... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2209459 Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:02:21 +0100 2209459 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2206671&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F22%2Fexpanded-commentary-on-sb1065hb890-forced-drug-tests-for-pregnant-women%2F I’ve been pondering for the last few days this bill proposed in the Tennessee legislature that would mandate drug testing for women who don’t receive “complete” prenatal care or have anything go wrong with their pregnancies, possibly leading to forced rehab and reporting to Children’s Services. There is a lot wrong with this bill, and I choose to write it out here, rather than making blog-standard soundbite snippets for easy consumption. As a result, much of this has been said already by others in various ways, but I felt that it was important for me to explicitly put my opposition out there. I have not at all been able to condense this into a legislator-friendly format, except by taking my own bolded points after writing it out fully. Any of my readers may fe... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2206671 Sun, 22 Feb 2009 17:16:14 +0100 2206671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2199805&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F20%2Fmore-commentary-on-the-drug-tests-for-pregnant-women-bill-in-tennessee%2F As I said in the comments at Shakesville yesterday, the reason I haven’t yet done a full post on SB1065/HB890, AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, relative to testing for certain substances in pregnant women, is because there’s just. so. much. wrong. with it. I want to take some time this weekend to fully outline all of these problems. In the meantime, some bloggy commentary it’s getting elsewhere: Aunt B at Shakesville - a lot of good discussion in the comments B again, with her letter to bill sponsor Senator Marrero Municipal Monarchs RH Reality Check Katie Allison Granju Autist’s Corner WitchWords Jessica at Feministing Thanks to mamapundit, Being Amber Rhea, and Crossing the Highway for spreading the word as well. Posted in Access, Rights, &am... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2199805 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:22:24 +0100 2199805 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2199806&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F19%2Fanother-example-of-why-reproductive-justice-isnt-just-about-abortion%2F Aunt B has an excellent post on the problems with the bill I posted last night. I would add my concerns about the likely disproportionate effect on women who are poor/young/rural/nonwhite/otherwise-lacking-certain-kinds-of-privilege, and would remind people that the crack baby thing was propaganda and is a myth. I plan to write more on this later, but wanted to make sure folks were aware of it. Posted in Access, Rights, & Choice, Birth, Ethics, Laws, Legislation, & Courts, Pregnancy, Women's Health (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2199806 Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:15:19 +0100 2199806 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2199807&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F18%2Fabout-this-i-have-some-concerns%2F A proposed bill in Tennessee: SB 1065 by Marrero B (HB 0890 by Hackworth) AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, relative to testing for certain substances in pregnant women. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE: SECTION 1.Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 5, is amended by adding Section 2 of this act as a new part thereto. SECTION 2. (a) The general assembly declares that, as a matter of public policy of this state and in the interest of public health, pregnant women who abuse alcohol and drugs pose a risk to their unborn children. Pregnant women who meet certain criteria, as determined by the department, through rules and regulations duly promulgated in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compi... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2199807 Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:16:21 +0100 2199807 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2190423&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F15%2Fnews-round-up-blog-posts-on-race-rights-abortion-body-image-drug-policy-and-more%2F Some good stuff from recent days, in no particular order. If you follow my FriendFeed or StumbleUpon profiles, you may have seen some of these already, but several things will be new. And as usual, there’s a ton of good stuff over at Our Bodies Our Blog. Renee of Womanist Musings at Global Comment on the octuplets story - Nadya Suleman and the Choice We Never Respect. Renee also has the first installment of the Tell It WOC Speak blog carnival. CVS Limits Condom Access For Some - From Cara at The Curvature, on CVS locking up the condoms in perhaps a racially biased way. Locking up of condoms (and lube! and pregnancy tests!) drives me crazy, because it’s a barrier in the face of people who are trying to protect and take responsibility for their bodies and health. Sometimes the... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2190423 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 01:38:41 +0100 2190423 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2187184&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F14%2Fa-round-up-of-stacey-campfields-vagina-fearing-legislation%2F Aunt B at Tiny Cat Pants has it, including proposed legislation on sex education, pretending homosexuality doesn’t exist, further taxing “adult” entertainment, child support, denying birth certificates for the children of undocumented immigrants, requiring death certificates for abortion, and yet exempting some men from being on the death certificates of stillborns. Campfield is a Republican state rep for district 18 in Knox County. That’s an awful lot of vagina-fearing nonsense in a year where we have some more immediate and serious economic things happening. As B says, “I Almost Wish My Vagina Were as Mysterious and Powerful as Campfield Thinks It Is.” Posted in Abortion, Access, Rights, & Choice, Birth, Laws, Legislation, & Courts, Pregnancy,... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2187184 Sat, 14 Feb 2009 15:27:50 +0100 2187184 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2021683&cid=t_161940_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2F478435092%2Fvote-now-for-rwjfs-top-research-of-2008-two-pioneer-publications-nominated.html Every year, David Colby, RWJF's vice president for research and evaluation, showcases 10 RWJF-supported research projects that have contributed to greater understanding of an issue or can help inform policy discussions. This year, he's doing things a little bit differently. He's opened up a poll on RWJF.org so people can cast their votes for the most influential RWJF-supported research of 2008. We're pleased he's included two papers supported by the Pioneer Portfolio among his 25 finalists: The Collective Dynamics of Smoking in a Large Social NetworkUsing data from the Framingham Heart Study, Nicholas Christakis and his colleagues reconstructed the social networks of more than 12,000 individuals and found that smoking cessation occurs in network clusters. The stud... Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2021683 Sun, 07 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2021683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1974542&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F11%2F19%2Fnews-round-up-big-ol-bag-of-repro-health-stuff%2F A few things that have caught my eye lately: Several folks are talking about the HHS proposed rule on “physician conscience,” including equal employment opportunity concerns, the focus on pushing this through quickly without public hearing at the end of the Administration, and other issues. See Christine at OBOS, the New York Times, RH Reality Check, Feministing, and the Wall Street Journal Health Blog. The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance has an online interview video with Kathy Bates talking about being an ovarian cancer survivor. Monday at OBOS, I wrote about a Cochrane piece on midwife-led vs. other models of maternity care, including the findings and my reservations about the piece. Anna Clark has an intriguing piece at RHRC on travel, lodging, and abortion access. Nat... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1974542 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:59:18 +0100 1974542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1951365&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F11%2F11%2Fdid-you-see-boston-legals-take-on-abortion%2F I was going to write a bit about this today, but I see that Amie Newman has already done a fantastic job. In short, television show Boston Legal involved two fictional cases last night, one in which the firm’s lawyers are asked to represent a teenage girl seeking a judicial bypass so she obtain an abortion (as her mother won’t consent). Amie notes many of the issues I saw, including the framing of the issue through the male characters, Shirley’s insistence “anyone who has an abortion never gets over it” ignoring the wide range of emotions women having abortions actually feel, the generalization that the pro-choice need Roe v. Wade in place because they haven’t personally understood their own convictions (which I personally disagree with heartily), and ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1951365 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:20:11 +0100 1951365 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1911693&cid=t_161940_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F27%2Fsubtly-sexist-language-abstract%2F Pat K. Chew and Lauren Kelley-Chew recently posted their interesting article, Subtly Sexist Language (16 Columbia Journal of Gender and Law 643 (2007) on SSRN.  Here’s the abstract. * * * Sometimes, sexist language is blatant and universally shunned. Other times, it is more subtle and even socially acceptable. For instance, as summarized in this article, substantial social science research has considered the use of male-gendered generics (the use of such words as he, man, chairman, or mankind to represent both women and men) rather than gender-neutral alternatives (such as she or he, human, chairperson, or humankind). This research concludes that male-gendered generics are exclusionary of women and tend to reinforce gender stereotypes. Yet, these words may not be recognized as disc... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1911693 Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:55:35 +0100 1911693 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1900857&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F22%2Fsupport-for-prenatal-diagnoses-and-for-breastfeeding-interventions%2F Monday’s post over at Our Bodies Our Blog was on a recently signed law, the Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act, which is intended to provide better information and support services with regards to pre- and postnatally diagnosed conditions, such as Down Syndrome. Today, I have a bit about U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s new recommendation on pre- and postnatal breastfeeding support interventions, based on their recent review of the evidence. Posted in Breastfeeding, Laws, Legislation, & Courts, Pregnancy       (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1900857 Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:11:41 +0100 1900857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1883174&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F16%2Fdebate-video-and-transcript%2F Video below of the third and final 2008 Presidential Debate featuring Obama and McCain, and here’s a transcript. Healthcare discussion starts around 54 minutes in, and the conversation about Roe v Wade, abortion, and the Supreme Court starts just before 1:05. More on this later. Posted in Abortion, Access, Rights, & Choice, Events & Observances, Government, Health, Laws, Legislation, & Courts       (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1883174 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:30:00 +0100 1883174 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1886590&cid=t_161940_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2F423046968%2Fhealth-courts-n.html Common Good and their collaborators at the Harvard School of Public Health continue to build the research base and policy consensus for a new system of specialized administrative health courts. An innovative alternative to our nation's current medical liability system, health courts would apply rational, consistent standards to resolving medical liability claims and compensating injury patients. Their efforts are reflected in three recently published articles -- two in the Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law and one in Wyoming Law Review. "Administrative Compensation of Medical Injuries" looks at the history of administrative compensation proposals over the last 30 years and examines the success of the administrative compensation model in fields like worker's compensatio... Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1886590 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1886590 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1862417&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F08%2Fsupreme-court-refuses-to-hear-case-on-incarcerated-womens-abortion-rights%2F I haven’t yet had a chance to review this case in detail, but Rachel (the other Rachel!) at RH Reality Check reports that the Supreme Court has “rejected an appeal from the state of Missouri, which had hoped for one more chance to defend its unconstitutional policy banning abortions for women in the prison system.” The case, Crawford v. Roe, involves a Missouri woman who was in prison and sought an abortion, something that had previously been allowed if the woman could afford the procedure. When transportation was denied in this case, the ACLU sued on behalf of the prisoner. See Rachel’s post for details, analysis, and links to additional resources. See also her previous post for background. Ms. Magazine has a brief summary as well. Posted in Abortion, Access, Righ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1862417 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:28:19 +0100 1862417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1829344&cid=t_161940_151_f&fid=35823&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FAddictionInbox%2F%7E3%2F403369459%2Fobama-on-drugs.html Will he do anything about the Drug War?One issue largely missing in action during the presidential campaign has been the Drug War, and all the policy implications for addiction treatment that go with it. Our thanks go out to OnTheIssues blog for compiling the admittedly skimpy record of public statements about drug policy by both candidates. In this post, we examine the on-the-record views of Democratic candidate Barack Obama.The official Obama plan, as outlined in his campaign booklet, Blueprint for Change, calls for greater use of drug courts, job training for ex-offenders, and the elimination of sentencing disparities like the crack/powdered cocaine inequities. He does not favor lowering the current drinking age from 21 to 18, despite a collective push to do so by dozens of university p... Addiction Inbox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1829344 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:20:00 +0100 1829344 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1686645&cid=t_161940_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F07%2Ffractured-bonds-abstract%2F This article presents a unified analysis of all race based annulment cases for the first time. Simultaneously public and private affairs, these dramas impacted far more than the individual couples or courtrooms, sending out shockwaves that reverberated beyond their points of origin. The results of the cases are startling and contrary to previous work on the subject. Using this unique set of cases, this article argues that while declaring these women white appears like a deviation from white supremacy, the courts’ decisions were used to preserve white racial dominance. Through the annulment case decisions, the court stepped in to protect women with a taint of blackness, declaring them pure and worthy of the mantle of whiteness. By legally erasing the women’s potential racial tai... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1686645 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:01:41 +0100 1686645 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1621878&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F07%2F14%2Fobos-post-spreading-the-word%2F Over at OBOS today, I’ve tried to condense some of the info and links on the treatment of Juana Villegas DeLaPaz. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1621878 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:35:30 +0100 1621878 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1617986&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F07%2F13%2Fmore-disturbing-details-on-the-jailing-of-pregnant-juana-villegas-delapaz%2F Tim Chavez shares further information based on an interview with DeLaPaz’s family by her attorney - so, yes, this is all third and fourth-hand, but it hasn’t been covered by our local media as far as I’ve seen. Many have asked why she was pulled over, and according to Tim, the ticket was issued for “careless driving.” She also did not have a driver’s license, and had been initially told to call someone else to drive her and her children home. “Sgt. Coleman…made pregnant Juana wait in a hot car for an hour. When the other driver arrived, Coleman then told Juana that she didn’t get out of the car into his police vehicle in two seconds he would put her in handcuffs. She told Coleman that she was supposed to deliver in three days, but it ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1617986 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:16:12 +0100 1617986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1615382&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F07%2F11%2Fwhy-was-this-woman-separated-from-her-baby%2F It appears that the answer is that she is an immigrant and the police were overzealous. Tim Chavez posted the following information yesterday: “…the very worst has been leveled this week against a pregnant woman pulled over, handcuffed and forced to have her baby under custody. Then, to add insult to this grievous injury, the infant was taken from its mother’s arms as she was taken back to jail.” According to Tim’s report, Juana Villegas DeLaPaz was pulled over by the Berry Hill police as she was leaving a prenatal clinic with her three children in tow. Although her car was registered, she did not have a current driver’s license. The officer reportedly asked her to call someone to come and drive them all home, but then decided to arrest her. She was handcuff... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1615382 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:47:16 +0100 1615382 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1546473&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F06%2F26%2Fan-excellent-breastfeeding-in-public-post%2F Through the magic of trackbacks, I discovered this blog post at “3 Boys and an Angel” taking on the recent story of a woman in a Murfreesboro, TN courthouse who was asked to move to a “more discreet” location to breastfeed, despite TN law protecting her right to feed her child. A sergeant involved in the incident said if the woman had covered up it wouldn’t have been a problem, despite the law explicitly not requiring such coverage. The blogger asks these pertinent questions: Today, I read another story, and this statement bothers me: “The Sheriff’s Department acknowledges in the statement that breastfeeding is legal in Tennessee, but if there are complaints, they ask women to cover up or move to a private area.” Hmmm, let’s see&#8230... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1546473 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:20:29 +0100 1546473 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1542110&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F06%2F25%2Fmissouri-supreme-court-ruling-makes-midwifery-legal%2F I have a big ‘ol detailed post on the ruling over at Our Bodies Our Blog, including discussion of choice as it relates to birth and more reaction to the ACOG/AMA homebirth business. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1542110 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:16:01 +0100 1542110 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1502388&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F06%2F09%2Flet-me-tell-you-where-you-can-put-that-napkin-another-woman-illegally-told-to-stop-breastfeeding%2F Like many other news outlets these days, WINK News, a Florida CBS affiliate, allows their registered website users to post their own stories. Yesterday, another story of a woman asked by a restaurant to stop breastfeeding, despite state law, appeared on the outlet’s website. Nicole Newland claims that an employee of Arizona Pizza of Ft. Myers told her to stop breastfeeding immediately or cover up immediately. Florida law states that “A mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be, irrespective of whether the nipple of the mother’s breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding.” Newland further indicates that the pizza place employee tried to cover her 3-month-old baby’s head... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1502388 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:11:02 +0100 1502388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1460750&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F05%2F22%2Fexploring-the-crack-baby-myth%2F The notion that the “crack baby” scare of the 1980s and 1990s was overblown and more than a little racist isn’t exactly new, but the content of the debate and current medical understanding of the situation hasn’t exactly been publicized with the same vigor as the initial “epidemic.” I’ll be doing some reading on this over the weekend, but I want to comment here on a case National Advocates for Pregnant Women has been involved with - that of Regina McKnight, who was convicted in South Carolina in 2001 of homicide by child abuse. After an unintentional stillbirth in 1999, it was claimed that her cocaine use was the cause, and McKnight was given a 20 year sentence (with some of those years suspended). The May 12th court opinion on McKnight’s ca... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1460750 Thu, 22 May 2008 14:35:17 +0100 1460750 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1446562&cid=t_161940_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F05%2F15%2Fthe-situation-of-judges%2F Below we have mashed up three articles about the recent, highly contentious Wisconsin Supreme Court election — “Big money, nasty ads highlight Wisconsin judicial race” by Bill Mears for CNN, “Life, liberty and the pursuit of a fair judiciary” from The Economist, and “Gableman victorious” by Stacy Forster and Patrick Marley for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel — and sprinkled in several illustrative Youtube videos of campaign ads. * * * Justice is meant to be impartial. To this end, Britain’s judges are appointed for life. In America federal judges are as well. But in 39 states some or all judges must face election and re-election, often with unbecoming hoopla. An election to the Supreme Court of the state of Wisconsin has just involved ab... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1446562 Thu, 15 May 2008 18:14:59 +0100 1446562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1428766&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F05%2F08%2Fadditional-musings-on-the-oklahoma-abortion-ultrasound-law%2F Demarcationville wins the internet today, with this piece inspired by Oklahoma’s new law requiring ultrasounds prior to abortion. As someone who was raised Conservative and Southern Baptist, she explains that although she is “still innately Pro-Life:” …I reject the idea that any state, government, leader, court, man or woman has authority over the area beyond my bloomers. You know, as a woman, there are few things I control in this world, but I’d damn well consider my reproductive “parts” among them - so you’re out of your jurisdiction. Seriously, ya’ll don’t know me like that. “You’re out of your jurisdiction.” - I just had to repeat that, because I love it so much and it gave me a much-needed chuckle. The rest of her commentary is al... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1428766 Thu, 08 May 2008 13:50:05 +0100 1428766 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1426007&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F05%2F07%2Fobos-post-women-veterans-health-care-improvement-act-of-2008%2F Today at Our Bodies Our Blog: Some estimates suggest that 30% or more of women in the military are sexually assaulted. Head on over to find out a bill proposed by Sen. Patty Murray to improve VA healthcare for women, including PTSD and sexual assault. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1426007 Wed, 07 May 2008 19:02:11 +0100 1426007 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1422566&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F05%2F05%2Fforced-ultrasounds-for-abortion-in-oklahoma-because-your-government-knows-what-needs-to-be-forced-into-your-vagina%2F I’ll admit that I haven’t been furiously blogging about every single anti-woman bit of legislation to roll through each of the 50 states this year, because there’s simply too much of it, and I generally assume that the most ridiculous of them will never make it out of committee. I also have a bit of fatigue from all of the proposed bills which seem to have as their underlying premise the notion that women are somehow intellectually deficient as a sex, and I think many of the arguments I would make have been reasonably hashed out elsewhere. There is one recent state law, however, that I feel compelled to point out, even if other bloggers have already thoroughly covered it, because I have readers who aren’t likely to visit many of the feminist blogs where this has bee... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1422566 Tue, 06 May 2008 12:53:36 +0100 1422566 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1396060&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F04%2F24%2Fdrug-addicted-women-need-medical-care-not-jail%2F I want to spend some more time looking at research/writings on this topic in general, but at first blush I’m more than a little appalled by this story, in which a 7-month-pregnant Tennessee woman was taken to jail after seeking medical care for chest pains because she had cocaine in her system. I think we can all agree that it’s better if pregnant women don’t use drugs that could potentially harm the fetus (although you might want to do a little reading about the myth of the crack baby and the racist/classist undertones that fueled that particular bit of hysteria), and we know that illegal drug use is, well, illegal, even if the particular laws are unjust or insensible. Let’s just start from those two bits of assumed shared knowledge, to avoid the “But it&#82... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1396060 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:30:04 +0100 1396060 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1356086&cid=t_161940_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F04%2F07%2Fhow-broken-is-the-fda%2F Company Z makes widgets. The widgets are highly regulated by the government, so much so that any time the company wants to produce a new kind of widget, it must get explicit government approval to do so. It must show all of its widgets are safe. The government grants its approval, Company Z sells millions of widgets, and some of the widgets end up hurting people. The people decide to sue over their hurt. But then Company Z throws them a curve ball — you can’t sue, since the government already declared our widgets safe! If they weren’t safe, the government wouldn’t have approved them in the first place. Welcome to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulatory system, which is now under scrutiny in a number of legal cases winding their respective ways through ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1356086 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:00:57 +0100 1356086 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1307587&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F03%2F17%2Fan-unusual-bit-of-proposed-womens-health-legislation%2F HR 1237 popped up in one of my legislative monitoring feeds this morning, the first I’ve heard of this bill, the Cytology Proficiency Improvement Act of 2007, sponsored by my state Rep, Bart Gordon. It has been passed out of a House committee and recommended for consideration by the full body. The proposed legislation is “To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide revised standards for quality assurance in screening and evaluation of gynecologic cytology preparations, and for other purposes.” In other words, it is an attempt to maintain and improve the skills and knowledge of those involved in laboratory services such as interpreting your annual Pap test. More specifically, it requires each clinical laboratory to “ensure that all individuals involved in scre... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1307587 Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:35:52 +0100 1307587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1288262&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F03%2F08%2Fanother-one-woman-kicked-out-of-business-for-breastfeeding%2F A Denton, TX woman was kicked out of a local Regis salon at Golden Triangle Mall when she attempted to breastfeed her crying 8-month-old infant in the salon. Robyn Nair, reportedly, was the only customer in the salon and would have been completely covered by the salon smock. She says she was told, “We do not allow that, and I’m going to have to ask you to leave,” with her hair half-cut. According to a report from WFAA Dallas-Fort Worth, Not only did the hairstylist violate her company’s policy by asking Nair to leave; she also violated state statute which says that wherever a woman is authorized to be, she’s authorized to breastfeed.   “We welcome mothers and children,” said Regis spokeswoman Susan Evans in a statement. “We do not have... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1288262 Sat, 08 Mar 2008 17:09:30 +0100 1288262 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1240140&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F02%2F18%2Ftennessee-to-require-dna-for-birth-certificates%2F Under existing Tennessee law, when a baby is born to an unmarried woman, the hospital (or other institution) where it occurs is required to provide information on voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, including the legal ramifications of such an acknowledgment. For birth certificates in general, “Either parent of the child or any other knowledgeable informant shall attest to the accuracy of the personal data provided.” Under a bill sponsored in the Senate by Tate (SB3717) and in the House by Hardaway (HB2964), a genetic test will be required to confirm paternity in order for the father to be listed on the birth certificate, regardless of the relationship between the parents. So, happily married and faithful husbands and wives, you’re suspect until proven otherwise by a s... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1240140 Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:55:51 +0100 1240140 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1215149&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F02%2F07%2Fsenator-doug-henry-on-rape-and-abortion-non-virgins-wives-dont-count%2F Oh, good grief. Via the Nashville Scene’s aptly named “Confederacy of Dunces” column this week, we learn of Tennessee state Senator Doug Henry’s comments on (presumably against) amendments that would exempt rape and incest in a bill that would say that nothing in the state’s Constitution protects the right to abortion (emphasis mine): “Rape, ladies and gentlemen, is not today what rape was. Rape, when I was learning these things, was the violation of a chaste woman, against her will, by some party not her spouse. Today it’s simply, ‘Let’s don’t go forward with this act.’ ” Should I take this to mean that Senator Henry (despite what state law says) does not believe non-virgins and men can be raped, or that wives cannot be raped by their husbands? ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1215149 Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:42:08 +0100 1215149 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1170196&cid=t_161940_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2F221173601%2Fmichelle-mello.html Pioneer grantee Michelle Mello of the Harvard School of Public Health is helping to inaugurate the school's new multimedia page with a podcast on health courts.  You can find a link to the podcast here. (Source: Pioneering Ideas) Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1170196 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1170196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1155973&cid=t_161940_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fcriminal-court-first-treatment-second.html Two judges in Rock Island County, Iowa are demonstrating deep compassion for helping those with severe mental illnesses. The judges, who already have heavy case loads, have started a mental health court to divert people with mental illnesses who have committed crime from jail into treatment. The judges are making a difference in the lives of many people with severe mental illnesses. They are helping people get treatment and are keeping them out of jails and prisons.Conklin, 58, and Bell, 54, are sharing the load, and both are aware they are breaking new ground. They credit their successes to the defendants themselves, along with the case managers who are the real mental health experts.Despite the help, it isn’t easy.“Some days you just have to tell people what time it is, and that’s ... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1155973 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:13:00 +0100 1155973 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1147254&cid=t_161940_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F01%2F13%2Fold-in-massachusetts-say-goodbye-to-your-freedom%2F In a horrible abuse of the law, lawyers, doctors, judges and social workers in Massachusetts regularly commit senior citizens who have no family or friends to nursing homes. Judges rubber-stamp the process in 2 minute hearings, often without asking the senior a single question before taking away their freedom. Think I’m exaggerating? I wish. Today’s Boston Globe has the Page 1 story, Courts strip elders of their independence, with an accompanying photo of a woman who has to wear an ankle monitoring bracelet. You know, the same type they put on criminals who are under house arrest or probation. The reasons for the involuntary guardianship of seniors in Massachusetts usually comes down to a question of mental competence. Doctors sign off on the person’s mental state, oft... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1147254 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 15:09:36 +0100 1147254 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1136404&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F01%2F08%2Foh-tennessee%2F Yes, the Tennessee state legislature is back in session, and it’s crazy-bill-introducing time. *Of course* there’s a bill “to provide that nothing in Constitution of Tennessee secures or protects right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion.” I’ll look at this more later. As Aunt B says: “Yes, indeed, let’s waste our time trying to change the state constitution to unguarantee a woman a right to an abortion in case Roe v. Wade is ever overturned in a state that is three hours thick. While you’re at it, Republicans, why don’t you work on banning women of child-bearing age from driving, because, otherwise… Oh, yeah, right. Rich women will still be able to do whatever the hell they want and poor women will continue to suffer under your pu... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1136404 Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:50:27 +0100 1136404 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1113427&cid=t_161940_134_f&fid=35152&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsstrumello.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fpart-2-your-rx-buying-history-is-for.html I didn't expect to post anything before next week, but again, my scan of today's news made that impossible!Back in November, I posted a story about how patientprivacyrights.org started a new campaign to call attention to the fact that your prescription drug buying history -- including your name, address, date of birth and drug regimen is FOR SALE. Each day virtually all of the 51,000 pharmacies in the U.S. download, transmit and sell personally identifiable information for every drug they disburse. The primary recipients include companies such as IMS Health of Norwalk, Conn., Wolters Kluwer Health of Conshohocken, Pa., and Verispan of Yardley, Pa., all of whom collect, analyze and sell medical data to drug companies, government agencies and researchers, often at very high prices.Patientpri... Scott's Web Log blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1113427 Sat, 22 Dec 2007 20:45:00 +0100 1113427 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1032515&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F11%2F16%2Fmore-fertilized-egg-as-person-initiatives%2F Earlier this week, I linked to my post at Our Bodies Our Blog describing a Colorado ballot initiative to define any fertilized egg as a person with full Constitutional rights and privileges. Aunt B neatly laid out the implications of such a measure beyond abortion rights. Today I’ve learned that a Montana legislator, Rick Jore, is proposing a similar ballot initiative, which would “define person as ‘a human being at all stages of human development or life, including the state of fertilization,’” according to the Helena Independent Record. Again, no mention of how the legal system would deal with numerous issues, such as contraceptives, fertility clinics, miscarriage, or the inherent conflict between two legally recognized persons (woman and fertilized egg). (... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1032515 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 17:39:59 +0100 1032515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1029827&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F11%2F15%2Ffertilized-egg-as-a-person-and-increasing-sti-rates%2F Two new posts at OBOS, on increasing incidence of sexually transmitted infections, and a Colorado initiative to define a fertilized egg as a person with full Constitutional rights. Snippets from each (click the links for the full piece): Colorado Moves Toward Defining Fertilized Egg as a Person The language of this measure does not seem to require implantation or the potential for a successful pregnancy, or address the rights of women with whom the rights of a fertilized egg might conflict, in vitro fertilization, miscarriage, or forms of contraception that might make it unlikely for a fertilized egg to implant in the uterus. Find out about this ballot initiative in Colorado. Protect Yourselves The recently released 2006 report reveals a 5.6% increase in reported chlamydia cases over 200... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1029827 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:59:42 +0100 1029827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1026873&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F11%2F14%2Fsend-a-sex-toy%2F The Alabama Supreme Court recently refused to hear a challenge to the state’s ban on sex toys, as we previously discussed. As noted then, an injunction had been in place to keep the law from being enforced, but it was expected that the AL Attorney General, Troy King, would seek to have the injunction lifted to put the ban into effect. Well, King has reportedly decided that he may ask the legislature to amend the state’s “anti-obscenity” law, after “a Jefferson County judge ruled this month that part of the law was too vague to force closure of a Hoover store that sells sexual devices.” You see, King really, really wants to make sure those dastardly sexual devices can’t be sold. Obviously, there aren’t any real problems to address in Alabama, ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1026873 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:56:32 +0100 1026873 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1024355&cid=t_161940_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fnew-idea-mental-health-courts-without.html In San Francisco behavioral health courts have been successful in compelling treatment for people with mental illnesses who would otherwise have been in jail or prison. The court allows that when someone with a severe mental illness commits a crime, they are diverted to behavioral health court and ordered to maintain treatment. Failure to maintain treatment sends the person back to criminal court and likely to jail or prison. The model of connecting the services to the court does work," said Kathleen Connolly Lacey, program director of Citywide. "There has to be a benefit to people to participate. They work harder than they would if they got straight probation."Here’s the problem. Right now, in San Francisco, court-ordered treatment is only offered AFTER someone commits a crime. Jennifer... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1024355 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 20:19:00 +0100 1024355 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1012197&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F11%2F07%2Funiversal-orlando-staff-harrass-breastfeeding-mama%2F Security staff at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL threatened to boot a woman from the park for breastfeeding her baby, telling her to cover up or get kicked out. Universal is reportedly issuing an apology to the offended mama: “The specific team members involved will also be apologizing to the guest. Our policy is to allow breast feeding in our theme parks and while we provide special, enclosed, air conditioned locations for the comfort of our guests, we do not require guests to use these locations.” Oh, how nice, Universal “allows” breastfeeding. Perhaps they should brush up on Florida law, which not only explicitly allows breastfeeding, but exempts it from “unnatural and lascivious act” prohibitions, and says a little nipple isn’t going to kill any... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1012197 Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:58:54 +0100 1012197 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1004897&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F11%2F05%2Fbill-introduced-to-reduce-campus-contraception-prices%2F Head on over to Our Bodies Our Blog to learn about a bill that is intended to correct the recent dramatic price increases of birth control on campus. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1004897 Mon, 05 Nov 2007 18:36:40 +0100 1004897 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=988497&cid=t_161940_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2F176872920%2Flast-week-commo.html Earlier this month, Common Good and the Wyoming Health Care Commission co-hosted a public event on legal options to improve patient safety and reduce medical errors. The presentations are available on the Wyoming Health Care Commission's site and the Wyoming Business Report also covered the event. While the links above convey content, I'd like to add a few comments about context and observations.  I think it's pretty cool that Wyoming is among the first states to engage in this discussion on health courts.  As it stands now, there are plenty of complexities from the patient, provider, and legal advisor's perspectives, but the intent is to make the system more transparent and safer.  Kudos to the folks on the Health Care Commission and others who are willing to parse this ... Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=988497 Mon, 29 Oct 2007 04:00:00 +0100 988497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=972326&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F10%2F23%2Fout-sick%2F Does one need to call in sick for a blog? I stayed home and slept all day. My most recent post is up at OBOS, on the postpartum depression bill that just passed the House and the amendment inserted by a conservative Representative. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=972326 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 22:58:44 +0100 972326 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=930539&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F10%2F05%2Fa-long-way-to-go-on-sexual-assault-issues%2F An article recently appeared in the online version Nashville’s newspaper, the Tennessean, “Handling of spousal rape claim concerns victims’ advocate.” The subject of the story is a woman who was “digitally raped” by her spouse, who she was in the process of divorcing. For background: Bob Wilson, deputy district attorney in Cheatham County, said he told a detective that he would not prosecute a rape charge because there was no physical evidence.   “I recommend that she go for domestic assault and that she get an order of protection,” Wilson said. “There is no physical proof. It’s that type of situation. They’re living in the same house, they’re married, and there is no allegation of weapons. There is no DNA.&#8221... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=930539 Fri, 05 Oct 2007 14:58:12 +0100 930539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=925053&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F10%2F03%2Fsupreme-court-refuses-to-hear-sex-toy-case%2F Expect an upswing in the number of vibrators and dildos shipped into Alabama. Via AP reports, “The U.S. Supreme Court declined Monday to hear a challenge to Alabama’s ban on the sale of sex toys, ending a nine-year legal battle and sending a warning to store owners to clean off their shelves.” An injunction had been in place to keep the law from being enforced, but the Alabama Attorney General is now expected to ask that the injunction be lifted, thereby banning the distribution of “any device designed or marketed as useful primarily for the stimulation of human genital organs for anything of pecuniary value.” According to the piece, “The law does not ban the possession of sex toys, and it doesn’t regulate other items, including condoms or virilit... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=925053 Wed, 03 Oct 2007 16:50:38 +0100 925053 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=911164&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F09%2F28%2Fpregnant-maybe-you-should-get-plastic-surgery-for-that-unsightly-belly-fat%2F From the “WTF is Wrong With People?!?” files: The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing a Pittsburgh-area plastic surgery firm (Premier Plastic Surgery) for discrimination on behalf of Erin Griggle, who reportedly was fired two weeks after telling her employers she was pregnant, and was told to suck in her belly to avoid upsetting the patients. Right, because plastic surgery patients are so stupid that they can’t recognize pregnancy, and pregnancy-based discrimination is totally cool. Because “pregnant” and “ugly and scary” are definitely the same thing. Argh. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=911164 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 23:17:05 +0100 911164 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=886163&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F09%2F19%2Fdocumentary-review-sex-ed-and-the-state%2F Sex Ed and the State is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at recent attempts to pass a comprehensive sexuality education bill in the 2006 Minnesota State Legislature, following the process from the bill’s introduction through to its final consideration. Begun as a masters thesis project by Jim Winkle as he worked toward his degree from University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health, the documentary features interviews with Minnesota legislators on both sides of the aisle, as well as representatives of the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S., Planned Parenthood, the Heritage Foundation, and others with a stake in the outcome of the bill. Far from focusing solely on the Minnesota proposal, Sex Ed and the State locates the process squarely within the nat... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=886163 Thu, 20 Sep 2007 12:53:06 +0100 886163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=843228&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F09%2F05%2Fbreastfeeding-promotion-act-of-2007%2F Get caught up on the details of this proposed legislation to make it easier for breastfeeding mamas to return to work over at Our Bodies, Ourselves. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=843228 Wed, 05 Sep 2007 21:28:04 +0100 843228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=829728&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F29%2Fmiscarriage-or-crime%2F On Monday, a fetus was found at a sewage pump station in Morgantown, WV. According to news articles, anything larger than 3/4 of an inch gets trapped by the screen, and “it’s likely the fetus was flushed down a toilet.” Another article indicates that the fetus was not full term, which seems obvious given that they assume it was able to get through toilet plumbing. The fetus has been sent to state medical examiners for further investigation including possible determination of age, sex, and race. The thing that gives me the willies? “Morgantown Police Sergeant Matt Metheney said police aren’t certain whether a crime has been committed [because the fetus was “so small”]. They’re trying to locate the mother of the “unborn child” to le... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=829728 Wed, 29 Aug 2007 17:22:23 +0100 829728 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=828296&cid=t_161940_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fcare-before-jail.html Flint, Michigan is currently implementing a pilot mental health court program to help reduce the number of individuals with a severe mental illness that get caught in the state’s jails and prisons. Mental health courts are laudable and we hope they continue to be embraced throughout the country. But people shouldn’t have to be arrested to get the care they need.With the passage of Kevin’s Law, Michigan gave its citizens a proven option for obtaining needed mental health treatment without the burden of the criminal process. It is already a reality in other parts of Michigan. The citizens of Genesee County deserve that same opportunity.The Treatment Advocacy Center (www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org) is a national nonprofit dedicated to eliminating barriers to the timely and effective tr... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=828296 Tue, 28 Aug 2007 19:31:00 +0100 828296 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=827558&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F28%2Fnews-round-up-82807%2F Duke is the first medical school to put a woman in charge. New Jersey doc accused of sexually assaulting patients. Demand for Prenatal Care for Poor Strains Localities Toys in Babeland has a little quiz for you. NSFW. Federal Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order Against New Missouri Law That Would Require Abortion Clinics To Upgrade Facilities German, Cameroonian Advocacy Groups Launch ‘Breast Ironing’ Awareness Campaign Emergency Contraception: The Musical Gonzales’ anti-choice legacy (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=827558 Tue, 28 Aug 2007 15:59:28 +0100 827558 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=820677&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F24%2Fforced-hiv-testing%2F Via the AP, the New York Times is reporting that, “Rape suspects can be forced to undergo H.I.V. testing under a law signed yesterday by Gov. Eliot Spitzer. The measure gives rape victims the option of forcing an indicted suspect to be tested under a court order, with the results provided to the victim and the suspect.” I understand the need to provide treatment to rape victims who may have been exposed to HIV. I also understand that not everyone who commits a rape is convicted in the courts, and so that information might not become available to the vicitm under the old law, and that the process from rape to conviction can be a long one. However, forcing individuals to submit to the test, and making a single person’s results known to another individual seems like a profo... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=820677 Fri, 24 Aug 2007 12:44:50 +0100 820677 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=816462&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F22%2Fa-bit-of-housekeeping%2F I wanted to have a collection of links to my guest-posts at Our Bodies Our Blog in one place for my own future reference. Check ‘em out if you haven’t already. -Midwifery on the Rise in Afghanistan to Combat Maternal Deaths (8/21) -Double Dose: Sex Ed via Text Message, Abortion Access, Female Circumcision in Egypt, and More (8/20) -BlogHer Poll to Set Global Health Agenda (8/18) -Anti-Choice Judge Steps Aside in Tiller Case (8/17) -Pregnant Woman Denied Care Over VBAC - (8/17) -Racial Bias in Heart Disease Treatment (8/16) -HPV Vaccine is for Prevention, not Treatment (8/15) (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=816462 Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:30:56 +0100 816462 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=803379&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F16%2Fmother-told-by-court-to-stop-breastfeeding%2F Via The Lactivist, I learned of this story of a Minnesota woman who is being told by a court that she should stop breastfeeding her 15-month-old son because of three medications she is taking, Topamax, Baclofen (spelled “Baclofin,” incorrectly, in the piece), and Ambien. She and her husband are involved in a custody battle, and the husband asked the court to appoint a guardian in the best interest of their son. The resulting report recommended that she stop breastfeeding in order not to cause developmental delays in her son, although the investigator in the case is not a medical expert and other sources suggest that the medicines she is on are okay with breastfeeding. If the judge agrees with the investigator, it may result in a court order to cease breastfeeding. So what *do* ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=803379 Thu, 16 Aug 2007 15:36:22 +0100 803379 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=801169&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F15%2Fnews-round-up-81507%2F Feministing alerts us to the Women Deliver conference, “a landmark global conference that will focus on creating political will to save the lives and improve the health of women, mothers and newborn babies around the world. It will be held October 18-20, 2007, at the ExCel Centre in London.” Anybody want to sponsor me to go? The Babeland Blog points to a recent Wired piece, Seniors Go Online to Get it On. The Well-Timed Period explains how deficit reduction is linked to the increasing the cost of birth control for college women. RHRealityCheck has info on a new documentary, Sex Ed and the State, which follows the legislative journey of a comprehensive sex ed bill. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has details on all those recalled toys. Apparently the magnets aren... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=801169 Wed, 15 Aug 2007 13:58:27 +0100 801169 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=791249&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F10%2Fhow-physicians-are-responding-to-the-partial-birth-abortion-ban%2F The notion that the recent Supreme Court’s upholding of the “partial birth” abortion ban is not about “saving babies” but rather about making providers afraid to perform abortions due to the imprecise language, and therefore creates barriers for women while keeping abortion technically legal has been discussed before. Today, the Boston Globe reports on just how providers are responding, and it shouldn’t come as too big of a surprise: In response to the Supreme Court decision upholding the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, many abortion providers in Boston and around the country have adopted a defensive tactic. To avoid any chance of partially delivering a live fetus, they are injecting fetuses with lethal drugs before procedures. Because the ban is not tec... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=791249 Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:46:29 +0100 791249 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=788254&cid=t_161940_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Ffelonies-before-treatment.html While mental health courts offer an excellent alternative - treatment instead of prison for people with mental illnesses - they still require that a crime be committed before treatment is ordered. A recent story in San Francisco Weekly profiled mental health courts and the life of Steven Winters and his struggle with mental illness.“In one year, he [Winters] was evaluated by jail psychiatric workers 18 times, and each time he was released back out onto the street instead of being sent to a treatment program. He didn't slip through the cracks — he didn't want to get better, and no one could force him to.” “He got into [mental health] court because he finally committed a crime that had serious repercussions — he was charged with attempting to derail a train, a felony.”Winters is ... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=788254 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 17:43:00 +0100 788254 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=775260&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F02%2Fdoulas-behind-bars%2F RH Reality Check has an interview with Christy Hall of The Birth Attendants, an organization of doulas in Washington State who have launched The Prison Doula Project to provide “incarcerated women in the Washington Correction Center for Women (WCCW) with desperately needed pregnancy, labor and post-partum doula services.” Christy’s experiences supporting pregnancy women in prison are sometimes quite disturbing: “In Washington and Oregon there are not laws about women being shackled but the Department of Corrections (DOC) in both states have policies in place that allow for it…I’ve seen lots of women shackled during labor and deliver and ultimately it’s up to the discretion of the officer present.“ Those of you who are up on birth know that b... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=775260 Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:41:45 +0100 775260 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=774056&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F01%2Fohio-bill-to-give-final-say-on-abortion-to-men%2F Look, I really don’t even want to write about this, as I think this bill has little chance of making it into law. If you’re not following along at home, Ohio State Representative John Adams has introduced a bill [HB287] that would make it illegal for a woman to obtain an abortion without the signed written consent of whomever contributed the sperm. It is what those familiar with TN State Rep Stacey Campfield might call stuntbaby legislation. It’s all for show. In plain English, the bill states: (B)(1)(2) Nobody can provide an abortion to woman without the written informed consent of the [biological] “father” of the fetus [or embryo?] . This is the case whether or not the fetus is viable. (C)(1) If you’re pregnant and seeking abortion, you have to g... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=774056 Thu, 02 Aug 2007 01:26:20 +0100 774056 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=768620&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F07%2F31%2Fnews-round-up-73107%2F The Politics of Postpartum Depression - In order to get support for a bill on postpartum depression, Representative Bobby Rush “had to add language encouraging the NIH to study the mental health effects of abortion.” If the NIH wants to fund study of “post-abortion syndrome,” which is not medically recognized as “pro-lifers” would have you believe, that’s fine. But to hold up funding for a known problem for numerous women based on a political agenda? That’s sleazy. REBIRTH explains how hospital-based childbirth education is a fraud. Many are surprised to learn that what their doctors are telling them (”You’re baby is probably going to be too big, so we need to do a c-section” or “You’ve had a lot of aches and p... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=768620 Tue, 31 Jul 2007 13:18:58 +0100 768620 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=767054&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F07%2F30%2Fhow-much-jail-time-should-850000-women-a-year-receive%2F Anna Quindlen has an opinion piece in Newsweek about the question of punishment for women if abortion becomes illegal. Quindlen argues that the emphasis on punishing doctors, and not these women, is illogical: There are only two logical choices: hold women accountable for a criminal act by sending them to prison, or refuse to criminalize the act in the first place. If you can’t countenance the first, you have to accept the second. You can’t have it both ways. Quindlen points to this YouTube video in which abortion clinic protestors in Libertyville, IL were asked whether abortion should be illegal (most said “illegal”) and then were asked what the penalty should be for women who have an illegal abortion. Very few were willing to say that women should go to jail. Som... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=767054 Mon, 30 Jul 2007 17:14:46 +0100 767054 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=764690&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F07%2F28%2Ffamily-leave%2F The New York Times has a lengthy piece on family leave in its Magazine section today, which begins with the story of a woman who was fired after giving birth prematurely. She maintains that she remained in touch with her employer and was assured that all was well, finding out she was fired only after receiving information from the mortgage company through which she had tried to refinance her home that she was no longer on salary. The article reports that this woman’s situation may not be unique: “Since the mid-1990s, the number of workers who have sued their employers for supposed mistreatment on account of family responsibilities — becoming pregnant, needing to care for a sick child or relative — has increased by more than 300 percent. More than 1,150 such lawsuits have b... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=764690 Sun, 29 Jul 2007 03:26:22 +0100 764690 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=761383&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F07%2F27%2Fmore-women-asked-to-breastfeed-in-bathrooms%2F The Lactivist talks today about an Ohio woman who was visiting her imprisoned husband and was told that the filthy bathroom was her only choice if she wanted to breastfeed her 8-month-old child. According to The Huntsville Times, the woman had been allowed to use an empty room on previous visits Before anyone suggests that she should have just taken care of it before she left for the prison, the woman had already spent 18 hours on a bus just to get to the prison. We’re not talking about a short, predictable errand that can be worked around here, not to mention that babies should be able to eat when they’re hungry. The woman says: “I didn’t expect to be able to nurse in front of my husband and the other prisoners,” McKenzie said. “That would be rude beca... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=761383 Fri, 27 Jul 2007 13:06:38 +0100 761383 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=730343&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F07%2F12%2Fmissouri-law-bans-planned-parenthood-from-providing-sex-ed-in-schools%2F Missouri Governor Matt Blunt signed legislation last week that would reportedly “bar people affiliated with abortion providers from teaching or supplying materials for sex education courses in public schools,” according to this piece. Planned Parenthood currently works with 40 St. Louis-area public schools to provide sex education materials that focus on the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, she said. Planned Parenthood said it provides sex education materials to schools for free and its staff members who teach sexual health and education lessons in 41 Missouri schools are trained not to discuss abortions. A top official at the organization denied any conflict and called that assertion “political propaganda.”   “Essentially, what... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=730343 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 22:06:57 +0100 730343 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=729712&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F07%2F12%2Fstop-deceptive-advertising-for-womens-services%2F Congresswoman Carol Maloney (D-NY) has introduced a bill titled the “Stop Deceptive Advertising for Women’s Services Act” [HR2478] which is intended to address “false advertising” practices of Crisis Pregnancy Centers, or CPCs. The bill’s main section: SEC. 2. PROHIBITION OF DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING OF ABORTION SERVICES. (a) Conduct Prohibited- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Trade Commission shall promulgate rules to prohibit, as an unfair and deceptive act or practice, any person from advertising with the intent to deceptively create the impression that such person is a provider of abortion services if such person does not provide abortion services.   (b) Enforcement- The Federal Trade Commission sha... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=729712 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 14:04:23 +0100 729712 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=702972&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F06%2F28%2Fnews-round-up-62807%2F Low birth defect risk from antidepressant use [Note: I haven’t had a chance to read any of the studies mentioned in this post yet, so remain pleasantly skeptical] Egypt strengthens ban on female genital cutting Biggest study yet backs Glaxo cervical cancer shot “Permanent makeup” can disfigure long term C-section not linked to poorer infant health, although we’re reminded that this is not a go ahead for inappropriate use of the procedure. Google has established a health advisory council. Kevin, MD thinks there aren’t enough medical bloggers or young people. Emergiblog wants to know where the nurses are. I want to know how a company trying to connect people to health information doesn’t bother to get a few medical librarians on board, given that’s ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=702972 Fri, 29 Jun 2007 02:08:30 +0100 702972 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=698032&cid=t_161940_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F06%2F26%2Fmaryville-judge-chastises-woman-about-abuser%2F In Maryville, TN, Senior Circuit Court Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood reportedly “dropped assault charges against a man who has now married the woman who accused him.” She had called the sheriff’s office on April tenth and deputies found her hysterical and covered with blood, saying her boyfriend had beaten her with aluminum baseball bat.   Yesterday in court, the bride “took the fifth,” refusing to answer questions about her husband.   The judge told Rebecca Pachinger she doesn’t have the courage to stand up for herself. He also cautioned her not to come “crawling back into this court,” claiming the justice system failed to protect her, the next time she gets beaten. Another article on the story gives a little more detail on the woman&... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=698032 Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:23:40 +0100 698032 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=651725&cid=t_161940_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2F120877202%2Fhealth_courts_s.html Grand Rounds describes itself as the "weekly rotating carnival of the best of the medical blogosphere." Its Memorial Day edition includes our series on health courts as an Editor's Pick.  Our thanks to this week's host, the blog From Medskool. As always, Grand Rounds is a fascinating compendium of medicine-related blogging.  We hope you can drop by. (Source: Pioneering Ideas) Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=651725 Wed, 30 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 651725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=651728&cid=t_161940_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2F117540843%2Fthe_impact_of_h.html The Washington Post reported recently on a study published this month in the Michigan Law Review by University of Missouri law professor Philip G. Peters, Jr., on who fares better in jury trials for malpractice lawsuits: defendants or plaintiffs. Evidently, defendant doctors do: the Post says Peters found that "Doctors win about half of the cases that independent experts who review them believe should result in a plaintiff's victory." The Post goes on to comment "One proposed solution -- to turn cases over to specialized health courts -- might result in less-favorable results for physicians, he (Peters) suggests. Studies have consistently found that malpractice plaintiffs fared better in front of judges than in front of juries."The blog Kevin, MD has been hosting quite... Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=651728 Thu, 17 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 651728 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=651731&cid=t_161940_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2F117228718%2Fhealth_wonk_rev.html Health Wonk Review is a biweekly compendium of the best health policy writing in blogs.  The most recent edition praises Pioneering Ideas' series on health courts.  Our thanks to the Review's host, Robert Laszewski, of the blog Health Care Policy and Marketplace Review.  Lots of other interesting posts described in the Review as well.  We urge you to visit. (Source: Pioneering Ideas) Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=651731 Wed, 16 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 651731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=651733&cid=t_161940_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2F115899462%2Fhealth_courts_a_1.html previous post Mello and Studdert describe the relationship of the health courts system to hospital-based improvement. We have also thought about how a health court system could spur hospitals to conduct more root-cause analysis of their own adverse events. Although hospitals are in perhaps the best position of anyone to investigate what happened when an unexpected outcome occurs, this is not always done. We designed the health court model to put the initial onus on the involved hospital and its insurer to conduct an investigation. When a patient files a claim, the hospital must conduct an investigation and determine whether it believes the injury was avoidable. If so, it must make an offer of compensation. This is not a neutral adjudication, but, as with settlement negotiations in the ... Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=651733 Fri, 11 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 651733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=651732&cid=t_161940_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2F115952966%2Fbut_is_there_su.html previous post Paul Barringer answers this critical question: Yes. Momentum for health courts continues to build with the growing awareness of the failings of the current medical liability system. This month, U.S. Senate Senators Michael Enzi (R-WY) and Max Baucus (D-MT) are expected to introduce a bill to encourage the states to experiment with alternatives to the present system. Bills to create health courts or administrative compensation systems have been introduced on a state level this session in about a half-dozen states.At Common Good, we’ve done a lot to reach out to stakeholders around the country with information about the evolving health court proposal. We’ve also solicited input about the best ways in which the health court proposal might be translated into specific po... Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=651732 Fri, 11 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 651732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=651734&cid=t_161940_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2F115670208%2Fhealth_courts_a.html previous post Mello and Studdert discuss the potential gains from sharing patient claims information. As medicolegal researchers, we are acutely aware of the value of malpractice claims as a source of data on why medical errors occur and how they can be prevented.  Unfortunately, in the U.S., claims data are extremely hard to get.  There is no centralized repository of detailed information about the facts underlying claims.  The information is held by hundreds of liability insurers—and held tightly.  But when the data have been shared with researchers, big gains in patient safety research have been made.One attractive feature of the health courts model is the potential for routing medical injury claims through a centralized body and gathering and storing detailed in... Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=651734 Thu, 10 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 651734