Abortion Doc's Killer Draws 2nd Life Sentence

Analysts: older regs let health workers avoid certain procedures

(NEWSER) - Some doctors who oppose abortion say they’ll quit their jobs if President Obama repeals Bush regulations that allow health care professionals to refuse to perform operations that are in opposition with their beliefs, NPR reports. A Christian Medical Association report found that “90% of those surveyed said they will quit their practices before violating their conscience.” A repeal “sends a clear message: It's open season on health care professionals of conscience—discriminate at will.” More»

(AP) - The suspect in Sunday's shooting death of Dr. George Tiller was charged today with first-degree murder. Scott Roeder, 51, made a brief appearance in a Kansas court via video link from jail. "OK," he responded when Judge Ben Burgess read the charges in the slaying of the abortion provider. Burgess ordered Roeder to be held without bond and said he was not allowed to communicate with Tiller's family. More»

Federal appeals court strikes down law prohibiting procedure

(NEWSER) - A federal appeals court struck down Virginia’s ban on a late-term abortion procedure, ruling that the law burdened a woman’s right to choose, Reuters reports. Although the Supreme Court upheld a similar federal law last year, the appeals court ruled that Virginia's ban went further because it provided no protection for doctors who performed the procedure by mistake. More»

In shrinking field, they're backing up politics with action

(NEWSER) - Abortion doctors are an embattled bunch, harassed by activist opponents and shunned by other doctors. But a new generation of practitioners is entering the field not in spite of the obstacles, but because of them, the LA Times reports. Galvanized by the prospect of abortion rights being curtailed, they are determined to keep access available. More»

Says life begins at conception, but supporters say it doesn't ban abortion

(NEWSER) - The Oklahoma Senate has passed a controversial bill that declares that life begins at the moment of conception, in a landslide 34-8 vote. The Personhood Act passed yesterday after two hours of debate. It's unclear what effect the bill will have, however; its author says it's just a statement and doesn't ban or even restrict abortion rights, birth control access, or stem cell research. He adds that anyone saying so is merely "fear mongering," the Oklahoman reports. More»