Examining the Surge in Abortion Bills

Time Magazine - Swampland Blog: What's Behind the Surge of Abortion Bills?, by Katy Steinmetz:

The political climate is what some have called a “perfect storm” for anti-abortion activists seeking to curb the procedure and make direct attacks on Roe v. Wade.  Droves of social conservatives have taken office in recent elections, angst over health care reform continues, and the Planned Parenthood “sting” has given opponents leverage to undermine the other side.

NARAL, an abortion-rights group, tries to track each piece of abortion-related legislation making its way through state legislatures. Last year they tracked 174 bills. This session's count is already up to 351. And there are some clear themes. One of the biggest is a financial push to stop coverage for abortions. Another chunk of bills seeks to copy Nebraska's controversial measure banning abortions after the 20-week mark -- some of which, like Idaho's, make it a felony to violate the ban. (Such measures are based on the idea that a fetus can feel pain by this point in the timeline.) . . .