Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
In Case Of Pregnant Immigrant Girl, Federal Official Says Rape Not Valid Reason To Allow Abortion
The Trump administration attempted to block an abortion for an undocumented teen in federal custody despite her statements that she was a rape victim, the Justice Department revealed Thursday — in a sweeping departure from the policies of the George W. Bush and Obama administrations. DOJ lawyers made the disclosure in a memo filed in federal court in Washington, a day after the girl obtained the abortion with help from private donors. (Rayasam and Gerstein, 12/21)
The U.S. government official who oversees the agency sheltering immigrant minors says abortion and rape are both forms of "violence" in a memo released Thursday that explains why he won't allow abortions even for teenagers who have been sexually assaulted. Scott Lloyd heads the Office of Refugee Resettlement at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which faces an ongoing lawsuit over its refusal to allow teens in its care to have abortions. (12/21)
In other news —
A Planned Parenthood subsidiary told the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday that Arkansas' restrictions on how abortion pills are administered could effectively end medication abortions in the state and leave Arkansas with only one clinic where women can end their pregnancies. (12/21)
