U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, a Trump judge, ruled that teens cannot get birth control from federally funded health centers without their parents' consent. Jess and Imani discuss the case, its potential implications, and the attacks on birth control by conservatives. They also express concerns about the involvement of a person associated with a hate group and the dangers of misinformation. Overall, a compelling discussion on the diminishing accessibility of privacy rights and the importance of reproductive healthcare.
Conservative efforts to restrict reproductive rights have eroded the constitutional right to privacy and now pose potential barriers to healthcare for trans individuals.
The Deanda v. Becerra case could undermine Title 10, limit access to birth control for teens, and violate their right to reproductive healthcare.
Deep dives
The Attack on Reproductive Rights
Conservative efforts to restrict reproductive rights are interconnected. The right to privacy guaranteed by the Constitution has been eroded for people capable of becoming pregnant, and now trans individuals are facing potential barriers to healthcare. The attacks on birth control have been ongoing, with conservatives framing emergency contraception as equivalent to abortion. These efforts have culminated in the anda versus bessara case, where parents' consent for teenagers' access to contraception through Title 10 funded health centers is being challenged.
The Role of Maddie Kay
Maddie Kay, a Trump-appointed judge in Texas, has played a significant role in the erosion of reproductive rights. As a former religious liberty lawyer, he has worked to overturn protections for contraception. He is currently presiding over the miffa, pristone case, which, if ruled against, could pave the way for the criminalization of medication abortion. In the anda versus bessara case, Maddie Kay's decisions are key in determining whether teens can access birth control without parental consent.
The Threat to Title 10 and Contraceptive Access
The anda versus bessara case poses a threat to Title 10, a federal grant program that provides comprehensive family planning and reproductive health services to low-income individuals. The argument made by the plaintiffs, represented by Jonathan Mitchell, is that the regulations allowing teenagers to access contraception without parental consent undermine parental authority. If successful, this case could undermine the foundation of Title 10 and limit access to birth control for teens, violating their right to reproductive healthcare.
The demise of the constitutional right to privacy, conservatives' attacks on birth control, and Jess and Imani's ol' pal U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk. What do these things all have in common?
The case Deanda v. Becerra—about whether teens can get birth control from federally funded health centers without their parents' consent. Kacsmaryk, a Trump judge, has ruled that teens can't despite Title X regulations saying they can.
Jess and Imani get into why the case is such a big deal, what might happen if the case reaches the Supreme Court, and more.
Rewire News Group is a nonprofit media organization, which means Boom! Lawyered is only made possible with the support of listeners like you! If you can, please join our team by donating here.
And sign up for The Fallout, a weekly newsletter written by Jess that’s exclusively dedicated to covering every aspect of this unprecedented moment.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode