Blogs Comment On Study Debunking 'Abortion Trauma Syndrome,' Ryan-DeLauro Bill, Other Topics

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry;  Abortion;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 26 Aug 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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The following summarizes selected women's health-related blog entries.

~ "New Study Debunks 'Abortion Trauma Syndrome,'" Feminists for Choice: Abortion-rights opponents consistently invoke arguments regarding the perceived mental health impacts of abortion, including so-called "abortion trauma syndrome" and "post-abortion syndrome," arguing that they are "concerned about the health and welfare of women," the blog entry says. However, a new study in the Harvard Review of Psychiatry that examined 216 peer-reviewed studies related to abortion and mental health found that "the most well-controlled studies continue to demonstrate that there is no convincing evidence that induced abortion of an unwanted pregnancy is a per se significant risk factor for psychiatric illness," the study says. "Aside from the obvious questions this study raises about the intention of the researchers who claim a link between abortion and mental health," it is "important to contextualize the idea of a 'post-abortion syndrome,' or 'abortion trauma syndrome' within the larger move to pathologize women's bodies," the blog continues. It adds that abortion-rights advocates "need to be savvy and educate themselves about the so-called 'science' behind the claims that the other side is using to eliminate access to women's health" (Feminists for Choice, 8/24).

~ "Health Reform: Good for Mothers, Good for Families," Julia Kaye, Womenstake: Health care reform "must provide coverage to the low-income mothers who are falling through the gaps," Kaye, a health policy associate at the National Women's Law Center, writes. Health reform that "sets essential benefit standards will help ensure that all women have access to the basic health care services that many plans currently exclude, such as maternity care," she writes, adding that a NWLC study found that 59% of individual health plans do not provide any coverage for maternity care. Kaye continues, "Reform that makes health care more accessible and affordable for women ... will also improve health care access for their children," as women make about 80% of health care decisions for their families. Kaye continues, "Fortunately, we're closer to achieving significant reform than ever before." She concludes, "At this critical hour, it is all the more important that we advocate for health care reform that meets women's needs -- it is their health, and the health of their families, that hangs in the balance" (Kaye, Womenstake, 8/21).

~ "Abortion: Which Side Is Fabricating?" FactCheck.org: "The truth is that bills now before Congress don’t require federal money to be used for supporting abortion coverage," according to FactCheck.org. "So the president is right to that limited extent. But it's equally true that House and Senate legislation would allow a new 'public' insurance plan to cover abortions, despite language added to the House bill (HR 3200) that technically forbids using public funds to pay for them," according to FactCheck.org. It adds that people who purchase insurance through the public plan option with federal subsidies could choose a plan that covers abortion services. Private plans could also choose whether or not to include such coverage (FactCheck.org, 8/21).

~ "My Plan for Common Ground on Abortion," Rep. Tim Ryan, U.S. News & World Report's "God & Country": For elected leaders opposed to abortion rights, "it's not enough to say what we're against; we must say what we are for," abortion-rights opponent Ryan (D-Ohio) writes. He adds, "That is why I came together with my pro-choice colleague Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) to introduce the Preventing Unintended Pregnancies, Reducing the Need for Abortion, and Supporting Parents Act (HR 3312)." The bill "offers common-ground policy solutions to reduce abortions by addressing the root causes," including "preventing unintended pregnancies and providing support for women who do become pregnant," Ryan says. The bill's supporters "seek to reduce the number of abortions in our nation while reducing the rancor and acrimony that can too often lead to tragedy, such as the recent murder of Dr. George Tiller," Ryan continues. He adds that he "remain[s] convinced" that "we can't reduce abortions without preventing unintended pregnancies and providing support for low-income [women]. My legislation does both." Ryan concludes, "It is obvious that no American is pro-abortion, and I plan on working to create a solution that works for every American" (Ryan, "God & Country," U.S. News & World Report, 8/24).

~ "The Abortion Pill Hasn't Improved Access," Feministing: New research from the Guttmacher Institute indicates that mifepristone "hasn't broadened abortion access in the United States," according to a Feministing blog entry. Reproductive health advocates "hoped it would be a way for your average ob-gyn to discreetly provide abortions" and "make it impossible for anti-choicers to protest women who were seeking abortions," the entry says. However, the study found that "existing abortion providers added the medical option to their list of provided services," but "it was picked up by very few doctors or clinics that were not currently providers," the blog states. It adds that the availability of medical abortion "did not reduce the stigma and threats that come with being an abortion provider -- especially in more conservative parts of the country." The entry concludes that "[i]ncreasing numbers of women who seek abortions are choosing mifepristone," but "much to the dismay of feminists and women's health advocates who thought the abortion pill would change the landscape of abortion politics, the pill is no silver bullet" (Feministing, 8/24).

Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.

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