Texas seeks approval for new abortion rules
AUSTIN, Texas – A federal appeals court weighed whether to grant an emergency motion Tuesday that would allow some new Texas abortion restrictions to take effect, the latest step in a lengthy battle activists on both sides predicted would end up before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Texas leaders urged the panel to quickly hear their appeal of a judge’s ruling Monday striking down a requirement that doctors performing abortions must have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of their clinic.
He agreed with abortion-rights activists that the restriction, which was to be enforced starting Tuesday, placed an unconstitutional burden on women seeking an abortion and didn’t make the process safer, as state officials had argued.
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott immediately appealed the ruling to the conservative 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.
Report urges steps to ease prison costs
BOISE, Idaho – A research report says states can combat rising prison health-care costs by expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, outsourcing and other measures.
The report released Tuesday by Pew Charitable Trusts says that correctional health-care spending in 42 of the 44 states examined grew by an average of 52 percent between 2001 and 2008.
The report relied on numbers from the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics, The year 2008 was the most recent available.
Researchers listed four ways that states could reduce those costs, including Medicaid expansion. Under that method, health care inside prison walls wouldn’t be covered but treatment provided to prisoners at hospitals would be eligible for reimbursement.
Lawmakers support Asia defense plans
WASHINGTON – Lawmakers voiced bipartisan support Tuesday for the Obama administration’s strategic pivot to Asia but stressed the need for partner nations to strengthen their military capabilities and contribute more to their own defense.
Members of the House Armed Services Committee plan to step up scrutiny of U.S. military policy in the fast-growing region, where despite budget pressure, Washington wants to increase its presence as it draws down forces in Afghanistan.
Lawmakers said they plan a wide-ranging examination of U.S. force deployments and how to optimize security relationships.
Associated Press
