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Alabama woman works to help returning citizens rebuild their lives; Marist polls: Harris leads Trump in Michigan, Wisconsin; they're tied in Pennsylvania; UAW contract negotiations at VW focus on healthcare, safety, wages; NC dentists warn of crisis due to low Medicaid reimbursement rates.

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The Teamsters choose not to endorse a presidential candidate, county officials in Texas fight back against state moves to limit voter registration efforts, and the FBI investigate suspicious packages sent to elections offices in at least 17 states.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

AZ Nears Passage of Tough Regulations on Planned Parenthood

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Thursday, April 7, 2016   

PHOENIX - The Arizona Legislature is close to final passage of a bill designed to make it easier to cut off funding for Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers in the state. The measure, which places draconian regulations on any clinic that provides abortions, has passed the House and needs only final approval in the Senate. Republican Governor Doug Ducey is expected to sign the bill.

Jodi Liggett, vice president for public affairs of Planned Parenthood Arizona, said the bill is designed to make it very difficult for abortion providers to operate.

"One of the insidious things about this piece of legislation, it's kind of a stealth bill," said Liggett. "It layers in all sorts of additional requirements for abortion providers. And from our perspective, it's really a 'gotcha' game setting the bar so high that inevitably someone will trip up."

If approved, the bill would enable the state to cut funding and revoke licenses for providers that fail to separate tax money from funds used to provide abortions. The bill is part of a package of anti-abortion and anti-Planned Parenthood measures coming out of the GOP-controlled Legislature. Other measures require doctors to follow outdated guidelines for the most commonly used abortion drug, a ban on the use of fetal tissue for research, and removing Planned Parenthood from a list of state charities.

Liggett said defunding Planned Parenthood would remove a critical resource for low-income Arizona women.

"Thousands of women would be without a medical home and without a place to get cancer screenings and all sorts of family planning and other services that actually help them avoid an unplanned pregnancy," she added.

The bill's sponsor, Representative Justin Olson (R), said it provides enforcement mechanisms to ensure taxpayers aren't paying for abortions. A similar bill passed in 2012 was stuck down by the courts.


The full bill is published here.


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