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Awash in federal money, state lawmakers tackle worsening youth mental health
The pandemic accelerated a yearslong decline in the mental health of the nation’s children and teens. The number of young people experiencing sadness, hopelessness and thoughts of suicide has increased dramatically, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In response, states, cities and school districts are using COVID-19 relief dollars and their own money to […]
Abortion advocates aim to outflank lawmakers using 2024 ballot measures
Read more Stateline coverage on how states are either protecting or curbing access to abortions. Encouraged by six victories — and zero defeats — in this month’s midterm elections, abortion rights advocates are considering another round of ballot measures in 2024 that would enshrine reproductive freedom in state constitutions. This time, they’re mostly aiming at states with […]
Some abortion bans put patients, doctors at risk in emergencies
Ever since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, emergency health care providers in states that ban abortion have had to make wrenching legal and ethical judgments before treating a pregnant woman whose health or life may be in peril. “It’s happening every single day,” said Dr. Jen Villavicencio, lead for equity transformation at […]
State courts could overturn abortion bans in red states
If the federal right to abortion is erased by the U.S. Supreme Court in a few weeks as expected, the legal spotlight will shift immediately to state courts, where experts say judges in some conservative states could surprise everyone and uphold the right to abortion. “Hundreds of attorneys for abortion advocates across the country are […]