Miles Baker and Dr. Rob Davidson break down the escalating political attacks on reproductive health care and the federal institutions meant to protect patients. They examine the renewed effort to undermine Mifepristone through a politicized Congressional hearing, the growing push to enforce bans on abortion medications across state lines, and how these strategies are designed to intimidate providers while eroding trust in medical science.
Later, Miles is joined by Dr. Chelsea Daniels, Family Planning Staff Physician at Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties. Dr. Daniels shares firsthand insight from the frontlines of reproductive health care, including her experience navigating hostile political environments in Florida and California. She explains why the attacks on medication abortion are both dangerous and deeply misguided, and why physician advocacy is crucial to protecting patients’ privacy, autonomy, and access to care.
Background reading:
Senate HELP Committee press release: Chair Cassidy Leads Pro-Life Republicans Seeking Answers on FDA Approving Dangerous Chemical Abortion Drug
Ms. Magazine: Junk In, Junk Out: The Senate HELP Hearing Confirmed What We Already Knew About the War on Medication Abortion
Senator Patty Murray press release: Senator Murray Slams Republicans for Sham HELP Committee Hearing to Discredit Medication Abortion: “We All Know This Hearing is Not About Safety—It’s About Banning Abortion Nationwide”
Nevada Current: With health insurance premiums rising, Nevada’s new public option is proving popular
STAT: House passes ACA subsidy extension as bipartisan negotiations heat up in Senate
POLITICO: The GOP’s Obamacare defectors were more numerous than expected
AXIOS: Inside the Senate’s last-gasp effort to solve the health care crisis
POLITICO: Senators punt release of health package to end of January
The CBO’s scoring of the bipartisan plan to extend ACA premium subsidies is HERE
Reuters (via MSN): Trump says he may veto extension of Obamacare subsidies
AP: Trump tells Republicans to be ‘flexible’ on abortion restrictions to get a health care deal
POLITICO: Trump admin can share immigrants’ Medicaid data with ICE, judge rules
The Washington Post: New RFK Jr. pick for vaccine panel: ‘I was not anti-vaccine. I am now.’
The New York Times: H.H.S. Reverses Decision to Cut $2 Billion for Mental Health and Addiction Services
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: In 24 hours, Feds cancel, then reinstate $2 billion in mental health grants
The New York Times: Louisiana Indicts Another Out-of-State Doctor Over Abortion Pills
The Hill: Louisiana seeks extradition of California doctor accused of mailing abortion pills
Virginia Mercury: Virginia House Democrats advance four constitutional amendments on opening day of 2026 session
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