Stories

A federal program that provides financial assistance to more than half a million Americans who have contracted HIV or have AIDS will sunset on Sept. 30 unless Congress reauthorizes it, and its prospects seem uncertain.

BELLEVUE, Neb. — The battle over a woman’s right to choose abortion has been reignited in Kansas since the May 31 murder of Dr. George Tiller. Over the weekend, the battle moved north to this small town near Omaha where Dr. LeRoy Carhart provides abortion services. Several Iowans were among the individuals from at least 17 states who came to let their voices be heard.

Attorneys for an Iowa surgeon accused of sterilizing a woman without her consent are requesting that a scheduled Sept. 9 hearing before the Iowa Board of Medicine be postponed — a request that is typically granted.

Dave Leach, a Des Moines anti-abortion activist who is in touch with the man accused of killing Kansas doctor George Tiller, is working on a legal strategy that he hopes will result in an acquittal of the alleged assassin.

CEDAR RAPIDS — Greeted by a chorus of cheers as well as a few jeers at a community clinic re-opening here this morning, U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin told audience members that “the status quo is unacceptable,” and “delay and postponement is not an option” on health care reform.

Two religious organizations have called on the Family Research Council and other anti-abortion groups to shut down a television ad and Web site that contain “massive misinformation” related to the national discussion on health care reform.

While much of Iowa slept, members of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce continued to debate possible amendments to health care reform. At least two of the amendments passed late Thursday provide a clearer picture of how wedge-issue abortion services will be handled.

Conservative abortion opponents are stoking concerns that the current debate over health care reform could result in a bill that, without a specific abortion exclusion, might usurp federal mandates barring the use of government funds for abortion services.

A 64-year-old Iowa Falls physician has had formal disciplinary charges filed against him by the Iowa Board of Medicine.

A Cedar Rapids-based anti-abortion group attempting to gain tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service has acquired the services of a nationally-recognized “pro-life” law firm.
The Thomas More Society, a self-described “not-for-profit, public interest law firm dedicated to fighting for the rights and dignity of all human life,” issued a press release this week announcing that [...]