Canada is still falling short on abortion rights

Canada is still falling short on abortion rights

By Sandeep Prasad and Jill Doctoroff, Contributors
Tue., May 12, 2020

Fifty years ago the Abortion Caravan came to Ottawa as part of the decades-long sexual rights movement that changed the country – and eventually led to the decriminalization of abortion.

Today, as standard-bearers for that same movement, we’re marking the important anniversary of this historic event – and reflecting on how far we have to go, at a time when disparities in health care access across the country are becoming clearer in the face of a global health crisis.

Continued: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2020/05/12/canada-is-still-falling-short-on-abortion-rights.html

Canada – Why the abortion pill is more important than ever during the coronavirus

Why the abortion pill is more important than ever during the coronavirus
There could be an increase in unintended pregnancies just as abortion becomes less available, putting women who are self-isolating in abusive situations at higher risk

By Michelle Cohen
April 29, 2020

While COVID-19 has prompted widespread discussion (and in some cases fiery debate) about medications such as hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin and remdesivir, one drug which may be of great consequence during the pandemic has seldom been mentioned: Mifegymiso, also known as the “abortion pill.”

Reproductive health advocates began sounding the alarm last month that access to abortion in this country is shrinking. Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights reported that calls to its 24-hour hotline increased by 30 per cent in late March, with many of those phoning in were distressed about not being able to schedule an abortion or acquire contraception.

Continued: https://www.macleans.ca/opinion/why-the-abortion-pill-is-more-important-than-ever-during-the-coronavirus/

Canada – Abortion Is An Essential Service, But The Pandemic Is Making It Harder To Access

Abortion Is An Essential Service, But The Pandemic Is Making It Harder To Access
Travelling for abortion care is even harder when the coronavirus has shut everything down.

By Maija Kappler
04/09/2020

Canada’s provincial and territorial governments have deemed abortion an essential medical service, and one that continues to be available during the COVID-19 pandemic. But reproductive health advocates say existing barriers to abortion access have become even more significant now.

Calls to a 24-hour info line provided by Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights increased by 30 per cent in the last two weeks of March, according to communications director Laura Neidhart.

Continued: https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/abortion-access-coronavirus_ca_5e8b54d5c5b6e7d76c6805c7

How COVID-19 Is Making It Harder To Get An Abortion In Canada

How COVID-19 Is Making It Harder To Get An Abortion In Canada

Leah Rumack
Last Updated March 26, 2020

The panicked calls about accessing abortions during the COVID-19 pandemic started coming in to the Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights hotline last week, and they haven’t stopped. “People are worried they won’t be able to get to their appointments, or that they won’t be able to even schedule appointments because they’re in quarantine,” says Frédérique Chabot, director of health promotion for the reproductive rights non-profit. “There’s a lot of anxiety.”

Understandably so. In a country where access to abortion — a legal, medical service — is already hit or miss, the potential closure of clinics and the scaling back of services is another looming barrier. And while Canadians likely won’t ever face a situation like women in Ohio or Texas — where anti-choice politicians are using COVID-19 as a completely transparent ruse to stop or indefinitely “postpone” abortions — there’s a very real concern that reproductive healthcare is going to slip down the priority list as the pandemic deepens and resources are stretched thin. “We can’t treat abortion as if this isn’t as urgent as COVID-19,” says Chabot. “It’s so time-sensitive and has such huge consequences, not like other elective surgeries.”

Continued: https://www.refinery29.com/en-ca/abortion-clinic-canada-pill-access-covid-19

Canada – Joint statement on essential abortion care during COVID-19

Joint statement on essential abortion care during COVID-19

Posted on 2020-03-20

The National Abortion Federation (NAF) Canada and Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights join their voices to make sure that abortion care remains available in Canada during this time of crisis. We call on governments and health sectors to continue to ensure that abortion facilities remain open. We urge all hospitals to provide abortion care.

NAF Canada promotes, enhances, and ensures access to quality abortion care. Action Canada is a progressive, pro-choice charitable organization committed to advancing and upholding sexual and reproductive health and rights in Canada and globally.

Continued: https://www.actioncanadashr.org/news/2020-03-20-joint-statement-essential-abortion-care-during-covid-19

20.03.2020

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Canada – Clinic 554, Fredericton Abortion Clinic That Also Supports LGBTQ Patients, Set To Close

Clinic 554, Fredericton Abortion Clinic That Also Supports LGBTQ Patients, Set To Close
The clinic's director, along with Jagmeet Singh, want the federal government to intervene.

10/11/2019
By Maija Kappler

New Brunswick’s only freestanding abortion clinic, which also provides health care to much of the province’s transgender population, is set to close.

Clinic 554 has previously relied on crowdsourced donations to stay open, and the staff sometimes forgoes payment from patients in order to provide services.

“We feel a tremendous amount of fear for our patients and the underserved communities we care for,” Clinic 554’s medical director, Dr. Adrian Edgar, said in an emotional statement posted to Facebook. “I thought I would be the family doctor for my patients until I or they died.”

Continued: https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/abortion-clinic-closure-new-brunswick_ca_5d9fa05de4b087efdbab11c0?utm_hp_ref=ca-living

USA – This Abortion Drug Is Safe And Effective. Why Can’t You Buy It In A Pharmacy?

This Abortion Drug Is Safe And Effective. Why Can’t You Buy It In A Pharmacy?
A groundbreaking study is underway that could change how U.S. patients access abortion.

By Molly Redden, HuffPost US
July 18, 2019

A first-of-its-kind study underway in California and Washington state could pave the way for the Food and Drug Administration to make mifepristone, the most widely used abortion drug in the United States, available at pharmacies.

Today, mifepristone is only available at abortion clinics, doctor’s offices or hospitals, from providers who register with the drug’s manufacturer. The FDA imposes special rules on mifepristone that prevent it — unlike most medications — from being stocked and sold in a pharmacy.

https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/mifepristone-abortion-drug-pharmacy_n_5d28a234e4b02a5a5d59e6f6

How the wave of U.S. restrictions will affect Canadian women sent there for abortions

How the wave of U.S. restrictions will affect Canadian women sent there for abortions

By Amanda Connolly and Rachel Browne, Global News
May 28, 2019

Dozens of Canadian women travel to the U.S. every year for abortions paid for by their provincial governments, according to data obtained by Global News.

But as some states move to restrict and criminalize the medical procedure, experts say that could have a big impact on Canadian women by both limiting options for out-of-country care and potentially increasing wait times in Canada.

Continued: https://globalnews.ca/news/4354376/donald-trump-abortion-rights-canada-access/

Ultrasound no longer required before patients can access abortion pill: Health Canada

Ultrasound no longer required before patients can access abortion pill: Health Canada

By Amanda Connolly National Online Journalist (Politics) Global News
Apr 16, 2019

Doctors in Canada can now prescribe Mifegymiso — otherwise known as the abortion pill — without needing to conduct an ultrasound.

Health Canada removed one of the remaining barriers to access of the pill on Tuesday, which women’s health advocates have argued places a disproportionate burden on rural and precariously employed or low-income women for whom access to ultrasound clinics and multiple medical appointments (and the associated time off work required to get to them) within a short time period can be very difficult.

Continued: https://globalnews.ca/news/5173789/how-to-get-abortion-pill-canada-ultrasound/

16.04.2019

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Canada – Pro-choice group calls Sask. minister’s speech at anti-abortion rally unacceptable

Pro-choice group calls Sask. minister's speech at anti-abortion rally unacceptable

Stephanie Taylor, The Canadian Press
Published Friday, April 12, 2019

REGINA -- A spokeswoman for a national organization that promotes abortion rights says it's unacceptable that a Saskatchewan health minister spoke at an anti-abortion rally.

Darrah Teitel of Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights said the appearance by Greg Ottenbreit, responsible for rural and remote health, erodes public trust. She said it also raises questions about his intentions with the abortion drug Mifegymiso.

Continued: https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/pro-choice-group-calls-sask-minister-s-speech-at-anti-abortion-rally-unacceptable-1.4378323