2007 Legislative Session Could Be Abortion Battleground

With the 2007 legislative session still more than a week away, it's already shaping up to include a number of contentious issues -- including abortion. Groups on both sides of the abortion divide said this week they plan on backing specific legislative measures, and are looking to the new leadership in the House of Delegates for help. West Virginians For Life, an anti-abortion group, wants to revive the stricter parental notification measure that the Legislature didn't pass earlier this year. They also want to see limits on the types of abortions funded by Medicaid. Abortion rights group WV Free, though, will oppose both measures and is looking to endorse legislation giving more funding to family planning programs. New House Speaker Rick Thompson is considered an ally by anti-abortion groups.

Read More