@ Roe fallout thread - August

[timorousbeastie]

The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that the injunction against MI’s abortion ban does not apply to county prosecutors, essentially meaning an abortion may or may not be illegal based upon the county you happen to receive care in (because some county prosecutors have said they absolutely won’t enforce the ban, others have said they will).

www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/08/01/michigan-abortion-injunction-court-appeals/7744390001/

[NewOrleans]

that’s nuts. Total chaos.

[audette]

My employer sent out a benefits update email today to indicate that travel and lodging for covered medical services are now reimbursable. It's a very conservative company, so I was a bit shocked to see it (even if I did ask for it, several times, since the leaked info came out).

As far as I can tell, it only applies to medically needed abortions, but, it's more than I expected. They buried it at the bottom of a benefits update email, and don't call out that it's for abortion care, just for "covered medical services", but do specify that one of the reasons for travel may be due to state laws or regulations disallowing said service in your state of residence... (and I called and confirmed with the benefits plan, too, just to make sure...)

[AAM2012]

Aug 1, 2022 15:39:52 GMT -5 audette said:

My employer sent out a benefits update email today to indicate that travel and lodging for covered medical services are now reimbursable. It's a very conservative company, so I was a bit shocked to see it (even if I did ask for it, several times, since the leaked info came out).

As far as I can tell, it only applies to medically needed abortions, but, it's more than I expected. They buried it at the bottom of a benefits update email, and don't call out that it's for abortion care, just for "covered medical services", but do specify that one of the reasons for travel may be due to state laws or regulations disallowing said service in your state of residence... (and I called and confirmed with the benefits plan, too, just to make sure...)

I feel like insurance companies have always provided travel assistance if the care you need can’t be located within a certain area of where you live. It’s just not used very often except i rural areas where specialists or certain treatment options aren’t necessarily available.

I think I read that once in my insurance plan or am I just making that up or is that a thing? Anyone more familiar with insurance?


Edit: my question was out of curiosity and whether some company announcements are just for PR purposes.

[timorousbeastie]

Aug 1, 2022 9:55:55 GMT -5 timorousbeastie said:

The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that the injunction against MI’s abortion ban does not apply to county prosecutors, essentially meaning an abortion may or may not be illegal based upon the county you happen to receive care in (because some county prosecutors have said they absolutely won’t enforce the ban, others have said they will).

www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/08/01/michigan-abortion-injunction-court-appeals/7744390001/

A new injunction against the ban that applies to county prosecutors is now in effect.

“Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Jacob Cunningham granted a temporary restraining order to prohibit enforcement of Michigan’s 1931 statute criminalizing abortion. The injunction prohibits local county prosecutors from criminally prosecuting abortion in Michigan while the order is pending.

The Michigan Department of Attorney General filed a motion for a temporary restraining order on Monday after the Michigan Court of Appeals issued a ruling that Michigan’s local county prosecutors are not bound by an injunction issued by Judge Elizabeth Gleicher in May.”

www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2022/08/01/judge-grants-order-to-maintain-abortion-care

[audette]

Aug 1, 2022 17:24:11 GMT -5 AAM2012 said:

Aug 1, 2022 15:39:52 GMT -5 audette said:

My employer sent out a benefits update email today to indicate that travel and lodging for covered medical services are now reimbursable. It's a very conservative company, so I was a bit shocked to see it (even if I did ask for it, several times, since the leaked info came out).

As far as I can tell, it only applies to medically needed abortions, but, it's more than I expected. They buried it at the bottom of a benefits update email, and don't call out that it's for abortion care, just for "covered medical services", but do specify that one of the reasons for travel may be due to state laws or regulations disallowing said service in your state of residence... (and I called and confirmed with the benefits plan, too, just to make sure...)

I feel like insurance companies have always provided travel assistance if the care you need can’t be located within a certain area of where you live. It’s just not used very often except i rural areas where specialists or certain treatment options aren’t necessarily available.

I think I read that once in my insurance plan or am I just making that up or is that a thing? Anyone more familiar with insurance?


Edit: my question was out of curiosity and whether some company announcements are just for PR purposes.

It was listed as an extension to the travel and lodging assistance provided for certain types of care (cancer, and a few other things that I can't remember anymore).  Instead of only providing travel and lodging for those handful of things, they are providing it for all services, assuming you can't get it at/near home.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Aug 1, 2022 15:39:52 GMT -5 audette said:

My employer sent out a benefits update email today to indicate that travel and lodging for covered medical services are now reimbursable. It's a very conservative company, so I was a bit shocked to see it (even if I did ask for it, several times, since the leaked info came out).

As far as I can tell, it only applies to medically needed abortions, but, it's more than I expected. They buried it at the bottom of a benefits update email, and don't call out that it's for abortion care, just for "covered medical services", but do specify that one of the reasons for travel may be due to state laws or regulations disallowing said service in your state of residence... (and I called and confirmed with the benefits plan, too, just to make sure...)

We got an email with a reminder about this policy maybe 3 business days after Dobbs came out. Sort of like, "oh, btw remember we do this for any medical care you can't get locally."

[NewOrleans]

Y’all asked for it.
What I see happening is women getting audited and harassed.


Georgia taxpayers can now list embryos as dependents on their tax returns.

In a news release on Monday, Georgia’s department of revenue said it would begin to “recognize any unborn child with a detectable human heartbeat … as eligible for [an] individual income tax dependent exemption”.


Officials added that taxpayers filing returns from 20 July onward can claim a deduction of up to $3,000 for any fetus whose heartbeat could be detected. That “may occur as early as six weeks’ gestation”, before most women even know they are pregnant, the statement said.

Taxpayers must be ready to provide “relevant medical records or other supporting documentation … if requested by the [revenue] department”.

amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/aug/02/georgia-embyros-tax-dependents-fetus

[Saudade]

Aug 2, 2022 12:08:13 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

Y’all asked for it.
What I see happening is women getting audited and harassed.


Georgia taxpayers can now list embryos as dependents on their tax returns.

In a news release on Monday, Georgia’s department of revenue said it would begin to “recognize any unborn child with a detectable human heartbeat … as eligible for [an] individual income tax dependent exemption”.


Officials added that taxpayers filing returns from 20 July onward can claim a deduction of up to $3,000 for any fetus whose heartbeat could be detected. That “may occur as early as six weeks’ gestation”, before most women even know they are pregnant, the statement said.

Taxpayers must be ready to provide “relevant medical records or other supporting documentation … if requested by the [revenue] department”.

amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/aug/02/georgia-embyros-tax-dependents-fetus

This makes absolutely no fucking sense. What happens when women miscarry after 6 weeks but they’ve already listed that embryo as a dependent? This is such a clusterfuck

[Velar Fricative]

Aug 2, 2022 12:26:23 GMT -5 Saudade said:

Aug 2, 2022 12:08:13 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

Y’all asked for it.
What I see happening is women getting audited and harassed.


Georgia taxpayers can now list embryos as dependents on their tax returns.

In a news release on Monday, Georgia’s department of revenue said it would begin to “recognize any unborn child with a detectable human heartbeat … as eligible for [an] individual income tax dependent exemption”.


Officials added that taxpayers filing returns from 20 July onward can claim a deduction of up to $3,000 for any fetus whose heartbeat could be detected. That “may occur as early as six weeks’ gestation”, before most women even know they are pregnant, the statement said.

Taxpayers must be ready to provide “relevant medical records or other supporting documentation … if requested by the [revenue] department”.

amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/aug/02/georgia-embyros-tax-dependents-fetus

This makes absolutely no fucking sense. What happens when women miscarry after 6 weeks but they’ve already listed that embryo as a dependent? This is such a clusterfuck

There are a million and one logistical clusterfucks involved with something like this, but that's not really the point for these assholes. It's all about sending the message to people out there that they caaaaaaare about women and trying to use this as a response to the claims that they aren't offering any kind of financial help to people at all. They don't care if this is a huge money sink for them, it's the cost of keeping this message alive. But if their base starts getting riled up over the costs of the program (and they might not because it's all about ending abortion for them), only then will they go after "fraudsters." 

Nobody in GA should file for this shit but obviously some people will be really desperate for that money and/or don't ever believe they'd get an abortion and don't realize a natural miscarriage could get them into some trouble with law enforcement. 

[NewOrleans]

So now it’s our turn to throw test cases until something sticks.

The five lawsuits seek to invalidate the Florida law, which went info effect July 1 and bans abortions after 15 weeks, except in cases when the mother could face serious injury or death or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality. It also makes it a felony to “participate” in an abortion, which the suit charges could include counseling someone to have one.

The cases are unusual in that they frame major liberal values through the lens of religious-liberty law. For years, religious conservatives have successfully argued in high-profile Supreme Court cases that their beliefs should allow them to open churches during a global pandemic, discriminate against LGBTQ people and decline to give employees contraception, among other cases.

Marci Hamilton, a University of Pennsylvania constitutional law scholar and one of the attorneys for the Florida clergy, said the cases are a “test” that she will soon take around the country. The Florida Constitution has a broadly worded right to privacy that the state Supreme Court has found to include the right to abortion. The state also has an “RFRA,” or Religious Freedom Restoration Act, that strongly limits when the government can restrict someone’s religious liberty.

www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/08/01/florida-abortion-law-religion-desantis/

[NewOrleans]

Hmm. Interesting Twitter thread rounding up the ads that seemingly worked in KS. I’ve mentioned  before that I think “choice” is unhelpful and consumerist.

[underwaterrhymes]

Honestly, as the KS marketing shows, we need to run with the government overreach argument. That’s brilliant (and legitimate) messaging for people who may not care about the rights of people with uteruses, but care deeply about privacy.

[NewOrleans]

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday suspended State Attorney Andrew Warren, the chief prosecutor for the 13th Judicial Circuit covering Hillsborough County, after accusing him of working to "nullify laws that were enacted by the people's representatives."

DeSantis accused Warren of refusing to enforce certain laws. He cited positions Warren has taken about laws or policy surrounding abortion, sex reassignment surgery and other issues.

www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/state/2022/08/04/florida-gov-ron-desantis-suspends-state-attorney-andrew-warren-abortion-laws-sex-assignment-laws/10233482002/

[erbear]

Aug 4, 2022 9:42:21 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday suspended State Attorney Andrew Warren, the chief prosecutor for the 13th Judicial Circuit covering Hillsborough County, after accusing him of working to "nullify laws that were enacted by the people's representatives."

DeSantis accused Warren of refusing to enforce certain laws. He cited positions Warren has taken about laws or policy surrounding abortion, sex reassignment surgery and other issues.

www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/state/2022/08/04/florida-gov-ron-desantis-suspends-state-attorney-andrew-warren-abortion-laws-sex-assignment-laws/10233482002/

I admit that my knowledge of government is lacking on this particular aspect, but is this allowed? State attorney is an appointed position by the governor so he can do this? Fuck DeSantis. I hate him.

[pixy0stix]

Nebraska is holding strong with no new restrictions on abortion - www.3newsnow.com/news/political/nebraska-legislature-will-not-hold-special-session-to-amend-abortion-laws

It seems like the messaging that bans are restricting healthcare and bodily autonomy is working.

[NewOrleans]

Aug 9, 2022 11:30:53 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Nebraska is holding strong with no new restrictions on abortion - www.3newsnow.com/news/political/nebraska-legislature-will-not-hold-special-session-to-amend-abortion-laws

It seems like the messaging that bans are restricting healthcare and bodily autonomy is working.

Even so.

Facebook turned over the chats of a mother and her daughter to Nebraska police after they were served with a warrant as part of an investigation into an illegal abortion, court documents show.

www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna42185

[basilosaurus]

Aug 9, 2022 20:17:22 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

Aug 9, 2022 11:30:53 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Nebraska is holding strong with no new restrictions on abortion - www.3newsnow.com/news/political/nebraska-legislature-will-not-hold-special-session-to-amend-abortion-laws

It seems like the messaging that bans are restricting healthcare and bodily autonomy is working.

Even so.

Facebook turned over the chats of a mother and her daughter to Nebraska police after they were served with a warrant as part of an investigation into an illegal abortion, court documents show.

www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna42185

A pill abortion at 23 weeks at home?! Presumably unassisted/monitored. That shows to me pure desperation. The poor girl (and her mother).

[wanderingback]

This is just a general fyi, but as the case in Nebraska was linked-

Activists and communication specialists are recommending NOT to share stories about people who are being criminalized for their pregnancy outcomes.

1) most of the information journalists report on is from the police/police reports, which are not always true

2) when people’s stories, including names and mug shots get out, it can ruin their lives, regardless of if they are found innocent. So spreading the story isn’t helpful for their livelihood

3) the Nebraska case reporting seems to be focusing on how Facebook turned over chats, which yes is problematic, but the person originally got in trouble because their friend reported them. There has been a lot of research done about how people have historically over the pst 10 years been criminalized for their pregnancy outcomes and the majority of the time it’s because another person reported them to authorities- either a family member or friend or a healthcare professional. So it’s important that people understand their risks. Yes digital safety/security is important but people need to understand the biggest risk as well which is other people.

[sonrisa]

Aug 12, 2022 11:37:31 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

 the biggest risk as well which is other people.

Thank you for this reminder. 

[maudefindlay]

www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/methotrexate-abortion-bans-chronic-conditions/

10 yr old Indiana girl with rare autoimmune disorder found pain relief from Methotrexate, but now she and her Mom fear that they may be restricted in getting this medication.

[NewOrleans]

Bleak. Informative with what’s in store.

Two months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, about 20.9 million women have lost access to nearly all elective abortions in their home states, and a slate of strict new trigger laws expected to take effect in the coming days will shut out even more.

www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/08/22/more-trigger-bans-loom-1-3-women-lose-most-abortion-access-post-roe/

[basilosaurus]

Aug 22, 2022 20:23:43 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

Bleak. Informative with what’s in store.

Two months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, about 20.9 million women have lost access to nearly all elective abortions in their home states, and a slate of strict new trigger laws expected to take effect in the coming days will shut out even more.

www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/08/22/more-trigger-bans-loom-1-3-women-lose-most-abortion-access-post-roe/

If a picture paints a thousand words

[neverfstop]

These people....
www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/moco/news/article/Former-Texas-Right-to-Life-political-director-17397607.php

Former Texas Right to Life Political Director Luke Bowen has been charged with online solicitation of a minor after an Aug. 3 sting operation by Montgomery County Internet Crime Against Children.

Bowen is out on a $50,000 bond. The charge is a second-degree felony, which could result in a two- to 20-year sentence and a fine of up to $10,000.

[Bad Dingo]

What Dobbs Means for Patients with Breast Cancer

Under Dobbs, some U.S. patients with breast cancer will be forced to carry a high-risk pregnancy and will have limited choices for treating their cancer.

www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2209249?query=WB&cid=NEJM+Weekend+Briefing%2C+August+27%2C+2022+DM1386218_NEJM_Non_Subscriber&bid=1137384926

[basilosaurus]

Aug 27, 2022 20:02:56 GMT -5 Bad Dingo said:

What Dobbs Means for Patients with Breast Cancer

Under Dobbs, some U.S. patients with breast cancer will be forced to carry a high-risk pregnancy and will have limited choices for treating their cancer.

www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2209249?query=WB&cid=NEJM+Weekend+Briefing%2C+August+27%2C+2022+DM1386218_NEJM_Non_Subscriber&bid=1137384926

It's paywalled, but it's not like this is surprising. We all know this was the likely fallout.

[bookqueen15]

Aug 4, 2022 11:08:58 GMT -5 erbear said:

Aug 4, 2022 9:42:21 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday suspended State Attorney Andrew Warren, the chief prosecutor for the 13th Judicial Circuit covering Hillsborough County, after accusing him of working to "nullify laws that were enacted by the people's representatives."

DeSantis accused Warren of refusing to enforce certain laws. He cited positions Warren has taken about laws or policy surrounding abortion, sex reassignment surgery and other issues.

www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/state/2022/08/04/florida-gov-ron-desantis-suspends-state-attorney-andrew-warren-abortion-laws-sex-assignment-laws/10233482002/

I admit that my knowledge of government is lacking on this particular aspect, but is this allowed? State attorney is an appointed position by the governor so he can do this? Fuck DeSantis. I hate him.

It's completely unprecedented. He suspended the state attorney in Hillsborough County (Tampa). In Florida, there are state attorneys in each county which is an elected position. I voted for Andrew Warren twice and I am shocked at this. Some of the laws he is accusing Warren of not enforcing don't even exist in Florida yet and this wasn't tied to any specific cases or anything. It's just insane and complete overreach from DeSantis. It's very scary that he has a good of chance of being the next President. 

[timorousbeastie]

Despite receiving a record number of signatures, the Reproductive Freedom for All ballot initiative has been blocked from being added to the November ballot by Michigan’s Board of Elections. The excuse given by the Republicans on the board was that there were spaces omitted from between some of the words, making the amendment proposal complete gibberish. There will be an appeal with the MI Supreme Court to hopefully override this.

www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/08/31/michigan-abortion-rights-proposal-off-ballot-for-now/65466518007/

[lea]

I’ve seen on Twitter some R candidates who are scrubbing their websites of overtly anti-choice verbiage. They know this is a losing issue for them but yet so many lawmakers just keep digging in.