Tennessee steps closer to a constitution that doesn’t protect a right to abortion; Arizona has a new anti-abortion law; Filippino president risks ex-communication for reproductive health bill; and the reproductive health needs of women in prison.

• The Tennessee legislature is moving towards amending the state constitution to allow radical anti-abortion laws. The state senate recently approved language stating “nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion.” The senate rejected language that would have provided Constitutional protections for women whose lives are in jeopardy or who are victims of rape or incest. If the state house approves the language, it will be put to voters.
• Arizona governor Jan Brewer has signed another anti-abortion law; this time banning the state Nursing Board from deciding whether nurse practitioners are capable of performing first-trimester abortions.
• The president of the Philippines, Benigno Aquino, says he would rather be excommunicated than give up on a controversial reproductive health bill. A debate has been raging in the heavily Catholic nation over the legislation, which would provide education about and access to various contraceptive methods. 
• Women in prison need reproductive health care, too. Read an interview with Dr. Carolyn Sufrin, an OB/GYN who serves incarcerated women in San Francisco to learn more about the special needs of women in prison.

Apr 18

• In Montana and elsewhere, Planned Parenthood serves broad function – Washington Post
• Abortion resolution gets two-thirds Senate votes – NECN
• Letters: Praise undeserved for assault on women’s rights – Palm Beach Post
• Minors: No Note, No Healthcare, GOP Says – Care2.com (blog)
• State senate approves amendment to allow abortion restrictions – The Tennessean
• Mom’s Prenatal Diet Can Contribute To Kids’ Weight Troubles – Babble (blog)
• Ariz. governor adds to tally of anti-abortion bills by signing measure on … – Greenfield Daily Reporter
• Foods That Interfere with Birth Control Pills – MSN Health & Fitness
• Making the Moral Case for Change – Huffington Post
• Minnesota GOP moves to ban funding for Planned Parenthood – Minnesota Independent
• HIV prevention study halted due to lack of benefit – Reuters
• Premature Births Predicted by Blood Test – MyHealthNewsDaily
• HPV Now Puts Men at Risk for Oral Cancer – New York Magazine
• Cesarean Rates, Placenta Accreta, and Maternal Mortality – Babble (blog)
• Philippine president says he’ll risk excommunication for legislation – U.S. Catholic magazine
• Why Anti-Abortion Activists Leave Birth Control Out of the Debate – TIME
• Anti-Abortion Nonsense, and the War Against Women – NEWS JUNKIE POST
• A glance at Republican legislative hotspots – The Associated Press
• ‘Catholic Services’ restricts birth control despite overwhelming number of … – Florida Independent
• Condoms for Kids – Death and Taxes
• Malta ambassador resignation raises question whether abortion views played … – The American Independent
• Defending Phill Kline’s ethics is pricey; Kansas taxpayers pony up more than … – Pitch Weekly (blog)
• Experts Look to Mass. for Health Care Lessons – California Healthline
• Placenta Accreta: Multiple C-Sections Can Kill Mother – ABC News
• ACLU-PA, Planned Parenthood: HB 574 Will Close Clinics – PoliticsPA
• Several Bills Can Limit Abortion Services in Alabama – Gather.com
• Prescriptions: Dr. Carolyn Sufrin, Prison Ob/Gyn – Mission Local
• ‘Glee’ Star Matthew Morrison Responds To ‘Puddle Of HIV’ Comments – MTV.com
• Coronation Street actress pleased about planned teen pregnancy storyline – MadeForMums
• Women’s issues focus of election forum – StarPhoenix
• Teen girls shun cervical cancer vaccine – Sydney Morning Herald
• Makena, the FDA and the Perpetual Fight for Affordable Health Care – Huffington Post (blog)
• Porn Industry Called Less Than Cooperative in HIV Investigation – SexIs Magazine
• Calif. Senate Passes bill Mandating Schools Teach Homosexuality in Social Studies – The New American
• Workplace Bias Against Breastfeeding Moms Persists – PsychCentral.com
• European Union to Adopt Reproductive Health Policy – TopNews United States
• Jersey City considers privatizing clinic that provides community with free STD … – The Jersey Journal – NJ.com
• Defunding Planned Parenthood not a hard budget choice, cardinal says – The Catholic Review
• Senator Durbin, Title X and Me – ChicagoNow (blog)
• School district: Alliance Defense Fund confused about anti-abortion student group – Twin Cities Planet
• Battle over late abortion figures – The Press Association
• Other Views: Ban on Islamic veils misguided – Arizona Daily Sun