Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court's landmark decision establishing a woman's right to an abortion, was issued more than 40 years ago, but conservatives and the religious right have been crusading ever since to have it overturned. Despite consistent public opinion to the contrary, they have patiently and relentlessly campaigned against the ruling. Their efforts are finding some success. Two major decisions and a surprise emergency ruling by the Supreme Court this last session limited health insurance coverage for contraception and gave protesters increased rights to demonstrate outside abortion clinics. Several states -- especially in the South -- and in the name, they say, of women's health, have passed regulations that creatively use technicalities to limit access to clinics. Bill Moyers talks about the politics of reproductive freedom with Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. For nearly a century, Planned Parenthood has been the leading advocate for reproductive health care in the United States, with 69 affiliates nationwide, operating more than 700 health centers. Cecile Richards has been an organizer of low-wage janitors, hotel and health care workers, the founder of the Texas Freedom Network, which defends civil liberties and religious freedom in her native state, and a deputy chief of staff to the Democratic leader in the House, Nancy Pelosi.
