Rest assured, the new CDC director thinks ‘abortion surveillance’ is essential

Key Points:

• Dr. Erica Schwartz was confirmed by the US Senate as the first Black woman director of the CDC, ending nearly a year without a permanent leader; she has a public health background and previously served as deputy surgeon general during Trump’s first term.
• During her confirmation hearing, Schwartz committed to "never betray the science" on vaccines but made concerning remarks supporting expanded abortion surveillance, aligning with anti-abortion lawmaker Josh Hawley’s agenda.
• Critics warn Schwartz’s stance could facilitate increased criminalization and surveillance of pregnant women, with reproductive rights advocates fearing the CDC under her leadership may support efforts to investigate or criminalize abortion patients and providers.
• Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche expressed determination to roll back abortion access nationwide despite delays, signaling continued federal efforts to restrict abortion rights regardless of his confirmation status.
• Additional news highlights include Arizona’s supreme court ruling that clergy are not required to report child abuse learned in confession, rising miscarriages and declining births in Gaza due to targeted attacks on women’s healthcare, and the death of TikTok cancer awareness advocate Sydney Towle at age 26.