September 7, 2005

Dear Friend and Supporter,

We'd like to extend our sympathy to all those affected by hurricane Katrina, including the abortion providers whom we represent in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, and their patients and staff. To donate money to women seeking abortions and other reproductive health care services in areas affected by the storm, visit http://www.abortionaccess.org/. Our thoughts are with those who are suffering, and with all the women and their families without access to adequate health care during this difficult time.

We'd also like to extend sympathies to the family and friends of Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who passed away on Saturday. "While we are in fundamental disagreement with Chief Justice Rehnquist's opinions on Roe v. Wade and its progeny, we commend his public service to the nation," says Nancy Northup, President of the Center.

Now that John G. Roberts has been nominated to Chief Justice on the Supreme Court, it is more important than ever that the Senate thoroughly examine where he stands on reproductive rights before confirming him, says Nancy Northup, President of the Center. It's equally important that you inform yourself on what's at stake. Read the eight critical questions that Roberts must answer at the hearings, starting on Monday, September 12th, in Washington.

For day-to-day updates on what's happening at the hearings, visit our web site. Our President, Nancy Northup, will be reporting on the events as they unfold. Starting on Monday, you can tune in to hear her commentary on our web site.

While all eyes are focused on the Supreme Court, we are also watching what's happening at the state level. So far this year, 20 states have enacted 27 laws designed to restrict access to abortion and reproductive health. But it is not all bad news - five states have enacted five laws to give women greater access to reproductive health services. You can read all about it in our 2005 Mid-year Legislative Review, now available on our web site. We are actively monitoring legislation related to reproductive health and choice in all 50 state legislatures and providing both mid-year and annual reviews on legislative trends.

Shame on the Food and Drug Administration! On August 26, the FDA announced that it would-again-delay making a decision about Plan B, the emergency contraceptive commonly known as the morning-after pill. The agency was expected to decide to make the drug available without a prescription to women 17 and older by September 1. Our lawsuit against the FDA is proceeding, and we'll fight until Plan B - a safe and effective contraceptive method - is available to women of all ages, without a prescription.

Ending on a bright note, we are proud of an Irish woman who is taking on her country's draconian abortion law in the European Court of Human Rights. The Center has filed a friend of the court brief on her behalf. At issue is whether the European Convention on Human Rights requires states to legalize abortion in cases of fetal impairment and permit providers to give their patients full information and referrals relating to abortion.

Please make a donation to the Center…your support is crucial, now as always.

Thanks for your support,

Nancy Northup,
President