A recent New York Times article describes a growing trend among states to restrict access to abortion. These restrictions are coming in various forms: some are outright bans on abortion after a certain time, some ban insurance coverage for abortions in the new health insurance exchanges, and some try to discourage abortion through the use of ultrasound and the interrogation of women about their reasons for seeking an abortion. In an earlier posting, I have explained why mandatory ultrasound laws are unconstitutional and unethical, and I will continue to look at other laws to examine their legality and impact on health care for women. For a comprehensive overview on state laws regulating abortion, you can visit the Guttmacher Institute website at http://www.guttmacher.org/sections/abortion.php. The Guttmacher Institute is an organization dedicated to advancing sexual and reproductive health through research, policy analysis, and public education. It monitors these state developments and provides regular updates.

