Introduction
A brief history of American abortion policy
The early years
The movement to re-legalize abortion
The opposition emerges
The current debate
Abortion as social regulatory policy
Political labels
Research methodology
Maternal and fetal citizenship
Book overview
Discussion questions
Suggested reading
Notes
1. Abortion : just the facts
Is the United States unique on the world stage?
Incidence of abortion in the United States
The United States compared to the world
Why women have abortions
Abortion and safety
Who has abortions in the United States
When women have abortions
The court of public opinion
Conclusion
Discussion questions
Suggested reading
Notes
2. Abortion on demand? : the Supreme Court and abortion rights
Physicians as authorities
The Supreme Court's first appearance in abortion policy : challenges to the Comstock Law
Margaret Sanger : advocate for women's reproductive rights
Physicians and the contraception and abortion movements
The U.S. Supreme Court acknowledges a right to privacy
Griswold v. Connecticut
Roe v. Wade
The intermediate years : protecting choice, denying rights
Neutral no more : Webster v. Reproductive Health Services
Casey : supplanting doctor authority with state authority
Stenberg v. Carhart : a footnote or a shift?
Conclusion
Discussion questions
Suggested reading
Notes


3. Abortion restrictions in the states
Practical barriers to abortion access
Location of providers
Competition and profit margins
The graying of a generation
Anti-abortion extremism and violence
Pro-choice advocates respond
A lack of education
Pharmacists as roadblocks to abortion
Statutory barriers to abortion access
Illegal and unenforceable barriers
Legal barriers
Barriers to funding
State protections for abortion
Patterns of restriction and protection
State protections for the fetus
Conclusion
Discussion questions
Suggested reading
Notes
4. Abortion and the federal government
Constitutional amendment or statutory ban?
Banning federal funding of abortion
The pro-life movement begins to organize
The pro-life movement sets the terms of the debate
A new strategy for a new century : persuade, protect, and prohibit
Persuade
Statutory protection of the fetus
Prohibit
Nomination politics and the making of a new Supreme Court
Conclusion
Discussion questions
Suggested reading
Notes


5. Pro-choice, pro-life, or pro-birth? : the partisan maneuverings of abortion politics
Party lines converge
General party lines
The parties organize to win elections
The 1960s : the parties of Lincoln and Douglas
The 1970s : new coalitions for new positions
The 1980s : the parties change sides
The 1990s : republican loyalty and democratic disunity
2000 and beyond : party platforms dictate policy
Party in government
Crossing party lines on funding
Partisan loyalty in prohibition and fetal protection
Democratic disunity, republican unity
The 2004 election : abortion as a wedge issue?
Conclusion
Discussion questions
Suggested reading
Notes
6. Conclusion : the pendulum swings
Introduction : where could we go from here?
The physicians return
Women's self-help movement
The religious left
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
Suggested reading
Notes
Appendix A. Landmark contraception and abortion cases
Appendix B. National political party platforms statements on abortion
Appendix C. Web resources.