Reproductive Rights
Under Fire
Texas has become ground zero in both the war on women’s health care and the nationwide defense of women’s rights. Sen. Wendy Davis’s June filibuster – launching her national profile – against radical abortion restrictions was an emotional and political watershed, but this was not the first blast in the war on women's reproductive rights by extremists on the right. And it's certainly not the last. The Chronicle has been following the struggle for years, and what happens in Texas -- both victories and defeats -- often sets the pattern for the whole country.
Track the latest developments in reproductive rights battle on this page, as well as @AustinChronicle, @LegeLand, and facebook.com/AustinChronicle.
Clinics stop services as abortion law goes into effect
Jordan Smith, Thu., Nov. 7, 2013
Asking court to vacate appeals decision in HB 2 lawsuit
Jordan Smith, Mon., Nov. 4, 2013
Closings, tears, and outrage for women and providers at Texas clinics
Jordan Smith, Fri., Nov. 1, 2013
All the news that's fit to blog
Brandon Watson, Fri., Nov. 1, 2013
Court of Appeals says HB 2 abortion restrictions go forward
Michael King, Thu., Oct. 31, 2013
Seeking emergency stay to enforce provision struck by district court
Jordan Smith, Tue., Oct. 29, 2013
Admitting privileges portion of HB 2 lacks "rational basis"
Jordan Smith, Mon., Oct. 28, 2013
HB 2 on Trial as abortion regs near implementation
Jordan Smith, Thu., Oct. 24, 2013
Judge will rule "as quickly as I can"
Jordan Smith, Wed., Oct. 23, 2013
Second day of testimony continues this afternoon
Jordan Smith, Tue., Oct. 22, 2013
Contested provisions set to take effect Oct. 29
Jordan Smith, Mon., Oct. 21, 2013
Suit challenges constitutionality of HB 2
Jordan Smith, Thu., Oct. 17, 2013
Reproductive health care for young Texas women is limited, costly ... or nonexistent
Jordan Smith, Thu., Oct. 10, 2013
A governor's race with lots of buzz
Richard Whittaker, Thu., Oct. 10, 2013
UPDATE: Fort Worth Dem to challenge GOP stranglehold next November
Richard Whittaker, Thu., Oct. 3, 2013
Reproductive rights groups take state abortion restrictions to court
Jordan Smith, Fri., Sept. 27, 2013
Ironic GOP-backed ad says gov't shouldn't play doctor
Jordan Smith, Fri., Sept. 20, 2013
All the news that's fit to blog
Brandon Watson, Tue., Sept. 17, 2013
All the news that's fit to blog
Brandon Watson, Tue., Sept. 10, 2013
All the news that's fit to blog
Brandon Watson, Fri., Aug. 30, 2013
Emails do little to prove security threat
Richard Whittaker, Thu., Aug. 29, 2013
DSHS Council takes public testimony during afternoon hearing
Jordan Smith, Wed., Aug. 28, 2013
AG criticized for backing tweet calling Wendy Davis a retard
Richard Whittaker, Mon., Aug. 19, 2013
Sine die at last, transportation, water, and more
Richard Whittaker, Thu., Aug. 8, 2013
Health Commission numbers confirm decline in Texas women's care
Jordan Smith, Thu., Aug. 8, 2013
All the news that's fit to blog
Brandon Watson, Fri., Aug. 2, 2013
All the news that's fit to blog
Brandon Watson, Thu., Aug. 1, 2013
All the news that's fit to blog
Brandon Watson, Wed., July 31, 2013
Lt. Gov. throws Texas DPS under the bus in an attempt to explain Tampongate
Richard Whittaker, Thu., July 25, 2013
AG says Planned Parenthood defrauded Medicaid
Jordan Smith, Wed., July 24, 2013
House bill ups the ante on 20 week abortion ban
Brandon Watson, Fri., July 19, 2013
All the news that's fit to blog
Brandon Watson, Thu., July 18, 2013
Cites onerous restrictions of HB 2
Jordan Smith, Thu., July 18, 2013
Fight over abortion regs will move to courts
Jordan Smith, Thu., July 18, 2013
Moments from the battle for women's rights ... in progress
Michael King and Amy Smith, Thu., July 18, 2013
Campaign to end abortion is a national crusade
Michael King, Thu., July 18, 2013
With only transportation left on the special session agenda, the 2014 race begins
Richard Whittaker and Jordan Smith, Thu., July 18, 2013
In the heat of the abortion protests, some say the DPS used excessive force
Amy Gentry, Thu., July 18, 2013
Longtime activist dies Saturday, July 13
Amy Smith, Thu., July 18, 2013
All the news that's fit to blog
Brandon Watson, Tue., July 16, 2013
All the news that's fit to blog
Brandon Watson, Mon., July 15, 2013
Attorney general confirms governorship shot
Richard Whittaker, Mon., July 15, 2013
Anne McAfee 'walked the talk until the end'
Amy Smith, Sat., July 13, 2013
Rejected amendments, dramatic speeches, and finally a vote
Jordan Smith, Fri., July 12, 2013
Credible threat as debate over HB 2 begins
Jordan Smith, Fri., July 12, 2013
All the news that's fit to blog
Brandon Watson, Fri., July 12, 2013
All the news that's fit to blog
Brandon Watson, Thu., July 11, 2013
Moves to full Senate; can be heard as early as tomorrow
Jordan Smith, Thu., July 11, 2013
The governor's legacy of negligence and contempt
Michael King, Thu., July 11, 2013
GOP steamrolls through abortion bill vote
Jordan Smith, Thu., July 11, 2013
More on the special session and a preview of the 2014 election
Richard Whittaker, Thu., July 11, 2013
Greg Abbott expected to throw hat in the ring
Richard Whittaker, Thu., July 11, 2013
Even old bulls heard Wendy Davis' filibuster loud and clear
Thu., July 11, 2013
HB 2 passes 96-49
Jordan Smith, Wed., July 10, 2013
Dems expected to offer mitigating amendments
Jordan Smith, Tue., July 9, 2013
Texas Right to Life hales Satan into the abortion debate
Brandon Watson, Tue., July 9, 2013
Stand With Texas Women Bus Tour launches mobile protest
Brandon Watson, Tue., July 9, 2013
Reps will gather today at 10am
Jordan Smith, Tue., July 9, 2013
Hearing expected to last 16 hours
Jordan Smith, Mon., July 8, 2013
Schoolhouse Rock! classic reworked for abortion rights fight
Brandon Watson, Mon., July 8, 2013
Abortion regs back in committee this morning
Jordan Smith, Mon., July 8, 2013
Capitol doors open at 7am for committee hearing sign up
Richard Whittaker, Sun., July 7, 2013
Nails Y'all's nail bling is making its way across the nation
Kate X Messer, Thu., July 4, 2013
Hearing on bill day before Senate reconvenes
Jordan Smith, Wed., July 3, 2013
More than 1,000 voices left unheard
Jordan Smith, Wed., July 3, 2013
Activist recovering after taking ill during historic filibuster
Amy Smith, Wed., July 3, 2013
Testimony will end at midnight
Jordan Smith, Wed., July 3, 2013
New website attacks lawmaker for being too attractive
Brandon Watson, Tue., July 2, 2013
Hearing scheduled for 3:30pm, with midnight cut off
Richard Whittaker, Tue., July 2, 2013
Nakatomi's Tim Doyle prints a powerful portrait of Sen. Wendy Davis
Wayne Alan Brenner, Tue., July 2, 2013
Supporters of women's rights energized to continue fighting bad bills
Jordan Smith, Mon., July 1, 2013
Testimony will be limited
Jordan Smith, Mon., July 1, 2013
Local rock troupe hopes to spark today’s demonstrations
Chase Hoffberger, Mon., July 1, 2013
New bill numbers and potential arguments imminent
Richard Whittaker, Mon., July 1, 2013
Dems say all legal options on table to halt bad bills
Jordan Smith, Mon., July 1, 2013
Pro-choice, anti-choice crowds expected for second round
Amy Smith, Sun., June 30, 2013
Abortion hearing erupts into an emotional match
Dan Solomon, Fri., June 21, 2013
Orange-clad abortion bill opponents witness House floor folly
Dan Solomon, Mon., June 24, 2013
Filibuster, parliamentary gamesmanship kill abortion bill … for now
Dan Solomon, Wed., June 26, 2013
Lite guv briefly blames press for SB5 crowd
Richard Whittaker, Sat., June 29, 2013
All the SB5 news that's fit to blog
Brandon Watson, Fri., June 28, 2013
Anne McAfee recovering at Brackenridge
Amy Smith, Fri., June 28, 2013
New conspiracy theory: Bill opponents no longer mob, now Stalinists
Richard Whittaker, Fri., June 28, 2013
The night my alma mater finally made sense
Abby Johnston, Thu., June 27, 2013
Says experience should tell her his way is the right way
Jordan Smith, Thu., June 27, 2013
On talking in all the right places
Monica Riese, Thu., June 27, 2013
UPDATE: Lite guv hopefuls turn on incumbent after SB 5 meltdown
Richard Whittaker, Thu., June 27, 2013
Jordan Smith, Thu., June 27, 2013
It's a long road, but we can walk it together
Michael King, Thu., June 27, 2013
Rick Perry calls a second special session
Richard Whittaker, Thu., June 27, 2013
Taiwanese animators tell the story of yesterday's filibuster
Brandon Watson, Wed., June 26, 2013
Abortion, transportation and juvenile justice back on the call
Richard Whittaker, Wed., June 26, 2013
As the SB 5 story shifted, so too did our cover image
Kimberley Jones, Wed., June 26, 2013
Governor silent so far after abortion bill fails
Richard Whittaker, Wed., June 26, 2013
UPDATED: Senate session ends in chaos, but Dems emerge victorious
Michael King, Wed., June 26, 2013
Close to vote on SB5; clock ticking
Michael King, Tue., June 25, 2013
State reps, twiddling thumbs, pick up office supplies
Richard Whittaker, Tue., June 25, 2013
Opponents of war on women use lege rules to derail abortion ban
Richard Whittaker, Thu., June 20, 2013
Action against new abortion regulations
Brandon Watson, Thu., June 20, 2013
Is women's health funding in jeopardy?
Jordan Smith, Thu., June 20, 2013
The GOP does battle for a government of men, not laws
Michael King, Thu., June 20, 2013
All the news that's fit to blog
Brandon Watson, Wed., June 19, 2013
Same players, same testimony
Jordan Smith, Fri., June 14, 2013
Lawmakers seek to restrict 'bypass' abortions
Jordan Smith, Thu., May 2, 2013
All the news that's fit to blog
Brandon Watson, Mon., April 22, 2013
Lege ponders abortion misinformation and 'fetal pain'
Jordan Smith, Thu., April 18, 2013
All the news that's fit to blog
Brandon Watson, Wed., April 17, 2013
Laubenberg bill would ban abortion after ‘fetal pain’
Jordan Smith, Mon., April 15, 2013
Or should state tell women abortion causes cancer?
Jordan Smith, Wed., April 10, 2013
The Lege moves to put more restrictions on abortion clinics
Jordan Smith, Thu., March 21, 2013
Senator would regulate clinics as surgical centers
Jordan Smith, Wed., March 20, 2013
Preliminary numbers say Texas WHP is doing fine
Jordan Smith, Tue., March 19, 2013
Ultrasound law has not stopped women from seeking procedure
Jordan Smith, Wed., March 6, 2013
Ranking Senate Republican favors more funding for women's health
Jordan Smith, Thu., Feb. 28, 2013
Your daily dose of LGBTQIA news
Brandon Watson, Fri., Jan. 25, 2013
Full funding will increase state savings
Jordan Smith, Fri., Jan. 25, 2013
And fight over legal abortion rages on
Jordan Smith, Tue., Jan. 22, 2013
Judge questions likelihood that provider will prevail in suit
Jordan Smith, Fri., Jan. 11, 2013
Report shows increase capacity after PP ban
Jordan Smith, Tue., Jan. 8, 2013
Injunction hearing scheduled for January
Jordan Smith, Mon., Dec. 31, 2012
State-funded WHP set to begin Jan. 1
Jordan Smith, Sat., Dec. 22, 2012
Wants to outlaw abortion after week 20
Jordan Smith, Wed., Dec. 12, 2012
PP says shouldn't be banned from state-run program
Jordan Smith, Tue., Dec. 11, 2012
With Planned Parenthood out, state serves fewer for more
Jordan Smith, Fri., Nov. 30, 2012
Cutting the state out of women's health
Jordan Smith, Mon., Nov. 19, 2012
State hangs fire on Women's Health Program, awaits court decision
Jordan Smith, Thu., Nov. 8, 2012
Planned Parenthood files new suit in state court
Jordan Smith, Sat., Oct. 27, 2012
HHSC relaxes abortion gag rule
Jordan Smith, Fri., Oct. 19, 2012
Numbers show decline in clients served
Jordan Smith, Wed., Oct. 17, 2012
GWU considers impact of ban on PP from Women's Health Program
Jordan Smith, Wed., Oct. 17, 2012
Your daily dose of LGBTQIA news
Brandon Watson, Thu., Sept. 27, 2012
Article by UT researchers paints grim picture
Jordan Smith, Wed., Sept. 26, 2012
If Planned Parenthood's out, are CPCs in?
Jordan Smith, Fri., Sept. 21, 2012
HHSC intends to have rules in place by Nov. 1
Jordan Smith, Thu., Sept. 6, 2012
But state plans to move forward without PP
Jordan Smith, Wed., Sept. 5, 2012
Will the new program work without Planned Parenthood?
Jordan Smith, Tue., Aug. 28, 2012
State may regulate speech in Women's Health Program
Jordan Smith, Wed., Aug. 22, 2012
anti-PP groups claim non-profit engages in fraud
Jordan Smith, Wed., Aug. 15, 2012
Months after dust up over Planned Parenthood policy
Jordan Smith, Fri., Aug. 10, 2012
Rules circumvent legislative process
Jordan Smith, Thu., June 28, 2012
After the Lege shot them down (four times), new rules have made their way to committees
Jordan Smith, Thu., June 21, 2012
Live Action says 'gendercide' is growing in U.S.
Jordan Smith, Wed., May 30, 2012
But say abortion should remain legal
Jordan Smith, Wed., May 23, 2012
Group says PP dilutes Texas' pro-life message for women
Jordan Smith, Tue., May 22, 2012
Three-judge panel reverses stay
Jordan Smith, Fri., May 4, 2012
GWU report questions HHSC analysis of ban
Jordan Smith, Thu., May 3, 2012
Judge thinks it's unlikely Texas will be able to justify the rule banning PP from the Women's Health Program
Jordan Smith, Thu., May 3, 2012
Single judge agrees to late-night stay
Jordan Smith, Tue., May 1, 2012
Court ruling bars state from excluding PP from WHP
Mon., April 30, 2012
Take action for women's right this weekend
Jordan Smith, Thu., April 26, 2012
Lawmakers want to know what HHSC has planned
Jordan Smith, Tue., April 24, 2012
That question is now before federal court
Jordan Smith, Thu., April 19, 2012
Leaders disappointed in Gov. Perry
Jordan Smith, Thu., March 22, 2012
Arizona and Wisconsin legislators try to get in women's pants
Jim Hightower, Thu., March 22, 2012
Aide says boss' actions 'shameful'
Jordan Smith, Wed., March 7, 2012
New state rule targets Planned Parenthood, cuts almost 200,000 women from basic health care
Jordan Smith, Thu., March 1, 2012
State jumps into contraceptive fray
Jordan Smith, Thu., March 1, 2012
Texas signs off on law to exclude PP
Jordan Smith, Thu., Feb. 23, 2012
Rally today on UT campus with Cecile Richards
Jordan Smith, Fri., Feb. 17, 2012
Calling the mandate unconstitutional, 10 AGs threaten to sue
Jordan Smith, Thu., Feb. 16, 2012
Sparks says his hands are tied after 5th Circuit finds ultrasound law constitutional
Jordan Smith, Thu., Feb. 16, 2012
Edith Jones and the 5th Circuits rule mandatory ultrasounds constitutional
Jordan Smith, Thu., Jan. 26, 2012
Court gives green light during appeal of anti-abortion law
Jordan Smith, Thu., Jan. 19, 2012
Appeals court says state's new anti-abortion law is reasonable
Jordan Smith, Thu., Jan. 12, 2012
It's just informed consent, they say
Jordan Smith, Wed., Jan. 11, 2012
Overturns Judge Sparks' injunction
Jordan Smith, Tue., Jan. 10, 2012
The state severs its ties with Planned Parenthood
Jordan Smith, Thu., Sept. 8, 2011
Family planning providers formally told they've lost funding
Jordan Smith, Thu., Sept. 1, 2011
Among a host of providers losing all state funds
Jordan Smith, Fri., Aug. 26, 2011
Fending off another attempt to intervene
Jordan Smith, Tue., Aug. 23, 2011
But the war on women's health continues
Jordan Smith, Tue., Aug. 23, 2011
Board says it can't risk jeopardizing its overall health care mission
Jordan Smith, Thu., Aug. 18, 2011
Judge denies request to file brief in abortion case
Jordan Smith, Thu., Aug. 11, 2011
Court to rule on injunction before new law takes effect
Jordan Smith, Thu., July 14, 2011
A Planned Parenthood benefit party and props for Jordan Smith
Cindy Widner, Fri., July 8, 2011
CRR files suit in Texas
Jordan Smith, Mon., June 13, 2011
Plans to ban PP from Women's Health may be a problem
Jordan Smith, Wed., June 8, 2011
Anti-abortion crusade will devastate health care
Jordan Smith, Fri., May 27, 2011
Citizens calendar, May 26-June 1
Thu., May 26, 2011
Lawmakers likely to kill successful women's health program
Jordan Smith, Tue., May 24, 2011
The war on women's health continues at the Capitol
Jordan Smith, Mon., May 16, 2011
Sonogram-before-abortion bill heads to governor's desk
Jordan Smith, Thu., May 12, 2011
Lawmakers reach accord on restricting reproductive rights
Jordan Smith, Thu., April 21, 2011
Abortion be gone
Jordan Smith, Thu., March 24, 2011
More reproductive health care antics at the Lege
Jordan Smith, Wed., March 16, 2011
Speaking of Choose Life...
Jordan Smith, Wed., March 2, 2011
Lawmakers again consider pro-life specialty plate
Jordan Smith, Wed., March 2, 2011
Abbott clears path to undermining Planned Parenthood
Jordan Smith, Thu., Feb. 24, 2011
Congressional Republicans propose elimination of Title X funding
Jordan Smith, Thu., Feb. 17, 2011
Senate Committee hears testimony on Patrick's ultrasound bill
Jordan Smith, Wed., Feb. 9, 2011
New ordinance requires full disclosure from crisis pregnancy centers
Jordan Smith, Thu., April 15, 2010
Proposed ordinance would require CPCs to provide full disclosure
Jordan Smith, Thu., April 8, 2010
Senate dumps abortion-care coverage ban amendment, but what about Austin?
Jordan Smith, Wed., Dec. 9, 2009
Women's health providers and advocates plan a vigil for Tiller
Jordan Smith, Tue., June 2, 2009
Lawmakers want to give a 60% budget boost for "Alternative to Abortion" pet program
Jordan Smith, Tue., May 19, 2009
Texas lawmakers debate Pro-Life, Pro-Choice, and Pro-Adoption license plates
Jordan Smith, Wed., May 6, 2009
Patrick rejects Shapleigh amendment that would correct inaccurate information in informed consent law
Jordan Smith, Fri., May 1, 2009
Patrick and Shapiro back abortion-related bills giving state more space in the exam room
Jordan Smith, Fri., May 1, 2009
The usual anti-abortion bills sally forth
Jordan Smith, Thu., April 30, 2009
Whither family-planning funds?
Jordan Smith, Thu., Feb. 26, 2009
New threats to women's health care emerge in both Texas and D.C.
Jordan Smith, Thu., Sept. 4, 2008
Oklahoma now requires ultrasounds for pregnant women seeking abortion. Is Texas next?
Jordan Smith, Thu., May 22, 2008
First such rise since 1991
Jordan Smith, Thu., Dec. 27, 2007
The Dust Settles: How did local legislators fare?
Amy Smith, Thu., June 7, 2007
With two weeks left, the 80th runs into foul weather
Amy Smith, Thu., May 10, 2007
A bill that passed through senate today puts a new level of bureaucracy on medical staff practicing abortions.
Richard Whittaker, Thu., April 26, 2007
The Accenture scheme blows up in the state's face
Thu., March 22, 2007
What to look for in the 2007 Texas Legislature
Thu., Jan. 11, 2007
Seemingly undaunted by his failure to push through legislation in 2005 that sought to protect pharmacists of conscience from having to fill scrips for emergency contraceptives, Rep. Frank Corte, R-San Antonio, gears up his 2007 this-is-where-life-begins agenda
Jordan Smith, Thu., Nov. 30, 2006
Jordan Smith, Wed., Nov. 22, 2006
After years of wrangling and delays, FDA accepts a bid to make Plan B emergency contraceptives available for over-the-counter sales t o women 18 and older
Jordan Smith, Thu., Aug. 31, 2006
You're young, pregnant, and scared. Don't call us.
Jordan Smith, Thu., Aug. 3, 2006
Will AG buy Texas District and County Attorneys Association's claim that changes in law, instituted by legislators during the last two legislative sessions, mean doctors who perform some abortions are now eligible to face capital murder charges and possibly a death sentence?
Jordan Smith, Thu., July 20, 2006
National Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends routine vaccination of 11- and 12-year-old girls with new drug that prevents cervical cancer
Jordan Smith, Thu., July 6, 2006
Gov. Kathleen Blanco signs bill criminalizing access to safe and legal abortion services; Lege also passes ban on flag burning
Jordan Smith, Thu., July 6, 2006
Food and Drug Administration announces approval of vaccine that prevents cervical cancer and genital warts caused by human papilloma virus
Jordan Smith, Thu., June 15, 2006
Christina Page, author of How the Pro-Choice Movement Saved America: Freedom, Politics and the War on Sex, visits Austin
Jordan Smith, Thu., June 15, 2006
Attorney for the women's rights group challenging feds' refusal to allow over-the-counter sale of emergency contraceptives says she has proof that Bush administration meddled in FDA drug-approval process
Jordan Smith, Thu., May 25, 2006
Headlines and Happenings from Austin and Beyond
Thu., March 23, 2006
South Dakota lawmakers set stage for most targeted attack on abortion rights since 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling; and Bush's proposed FY 2007 budget features cuts to women's and family planning programs
Jordan Smith, Thu., March 2, 2006
GAO report says rejection of contraceptive may have been made before scientific review
Jordan Smith, Thu., Nov. 17, 2005
Roberts nomination sails along
Jordan Smith, Thu., Sept. 29, 2005
Bush's man for the Supreme Court
Jordan Smith, Thu., July 21, 2005
The wrong prescription at State Affairs
Jordan Smith, Thu., April 21, 2005
Because getting an abortion wasn't hard enough
already
Jordan Smith, Thu., Jan. 13, 2005
Bills, bad and otherwise
Jordan Smith, Thu., Dec. 2, 2004
Forget the middle ground: Why don't the progressives
take over the Democratic Party and make a real fight
of this thing?
John Sayles, Thu., Nov. 11, 2004
Ready to Rally for Choice
Jordan Smith, Thu., Feb. 26, 2004
What Texas women now need to know before an
abortion
Jordan Smith, Thu., Jan. 15, 2004
Expect the next decade to be dominated by a weak economy and precarious international politics -- the consequences of Bush's successes.
Louis Black, Thu., Feb. 6, 2003