rachelwells1.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

My 49% optimistic and 51% pessimistic take on Gov. Bill Lee passing legal protections for birth control and IVF in TN.

submitted 22 days ago • 0 comments

BREAKING: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has reportedly signed the Fertility Access and Contraceptive Protection Act, securing Tennesseeans' right to IVF and birth control. wellsrachelm.substack.com/p/fertility-...

submitted 22 days ago • 0 comments

As the Trump administration cuts funding for Planned Parenthood, one court offers Black women in the South a legal lifeline @tennesseelookout.com @angeladennisnews.bsky.social tennesseelookout.com/2025/04/24/a... @tennesseelookout.com @angeladennisnews.bsky.social

submitted 23 days ago • 1 comment

Mayday Health is in Tennessee this week reminding everyone abortion pills are still available by mail even in a total abortion ban state. My latest four Nashville Banner. nashvillebanner.com/2025/04/24/m...

submitted 23 days ago • 0 comments

In Tennessee, birth control and fertility treatments are about to be protected in law despite the states total abortion ban. Huge news!

submitted 25 days ago • 0 comments

WATCH: “Nobody in my district asked me to vote for that bill.” Faison (R) tells us why he voted against the cruel Lamberth (R) bill that seeks to block undocumented kids from schools across 🇺🇸 — joining Dems in opposition.

submitted 39 days ago • 27 comments

We are facing a very real threat of fetal personhood in Tennessee this week. Please pay attention. #tnleg #ivf #reprorights #abortion

submitted 40 days ago • 0 comments

My latest for TN Repro News: Tennessee Clinics Won't Stop Providing Care Despite Millions Frozen open.substack.com/pub/wellsrac...

submitted 42 days ago • 0 comments

Arguments are about to start in Medina v PP and before we get lost in the weeds a reminder: this case is at its heart about whether or not folks on Medicaid can chose their own doctors or if Republican lawmakers make that choice for them

submitted 45 days ago • 0 comments

TN lost its Title X funding in 2023 bc of its refusal to include info on abortion in family planning. We hurt our own people here. tennesseelookout.com/2024/08/27/a...

submitted 46 days ago • 0 comments

SCOOP: DOGE notified the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS) today that the entire staff is being put on administrative leave effective immediately, I’ve learned from an agency source. They’ll be cancelling huge swaths of grants/contracts and starting a Reduction in Force (RIF).

submitted 47 days ago • 153 comments

No matter how you spin it: fertility treatments and abortion care are the same movement. We gotta have each others back. Read my latest here at TN Repro News! open.substack.com/pub/wellsrac...

submitted 50 days ago • 0 comments

Trump referring to himself as the “Fertilization President” means he’s deeply committed to govt involvement in the genetic makeup of your families to defend the status quo of the hetero white male patriarchy. To put it briefly.

submitted 51 days ago • 3 comments

I’ll be doing a deep dive what fetal personhood means for Tennessee over on my new Substack TN Repro News. So keep an eye out for that and of course, subscribe here. #tnrepronews #tnleg wellsrachelm.substack.com

submitted 54 days ago • 0 comments

Let’s see what the Tennessee legislature has for us. First a bill to protect birth control and contraception is moving through the House. Then a bill to modify the constitution to declare fetal personhood is coming up. It’s gonna be another long week. #tnleg

submitted 54 days ago • 0 comments

After two years of contention between the Tennessee General Assembly and Nashville’s Metro government, a three-judge panel of the Tennessee Court of Appeals heard arguments from both parties in a case that could determine the future size of the Metro Council. Story: @connordaryani.bsky.social

submitted 58 days ago • 0 comments

That’s exactly it. In some ways DOGE has been very targeted in that higher eduction + products of the New Deal and civil rights movements are its main targets

submitted 58 days ago • 0 comments

JUST NOW: A committee that would’ve heard the Lamberth bill to keep undocumented kids out of schools was disrupted as the entire audience recited the pledge of allegiance until they adjourned and moved to a locked room🤨

submitted 58 days ago • 64 comments

Yesterday, TN did its part to protect IVF but it's short-term. I'm sad to report. Here's the update: Part Two: IVF is Safe in Tennessee For The Moment open.substack.com/pub/wellsrac...

submitted 58 days ago • 0 comments

Hello! I'm back to reshare my piece on SB945. Join me on Substack. It'll be fun! Part One: Tennessee Republicans Are Playing Ball with Your Embryos open.substack.com/pub/wellsrac...

submitted 58 days ago • 0 comments

Today is a major milestone for the Nashville Banner: we’re turning ONE! That means a whole year of the community-informed journalism you’ve come to rely on. Will you help us celebrate and spring into year two with a birthday gift today? nashville-public-media.fundjournalism.org/donate/?camp...

submitted 60 days ago • 0 comments

Dr. Montville of Nashville Fertility Institute testified that child eye, hair color, and other physical attributes are not what IVF genetic testing is looking for. Personally, I'm horrified an MD has to say this to fellow adults let alone legislators. #ivf #tngop

submitted 60 days ago • 2 comments

Rep. Johnson is now speaking to the dramatic drop in OBGYN residents wanting to come to the state. It’s only going to hurt women and children. Coincidentally, TN GOP is pro-family. Make this make sense. Read my piece here. #tnleg @nashvillebanner.bsky.social nashvillebanner.com/2024/12/17/t...

submitted 60 days ago • 1 comment

“Thank you for bringing legislation to restore rights and allow women to be people.” @jrclemmons.bsky.social tells @votegloriaj.bsky.social re: HB1212 #tnleg

submitted 60 days ago • 0 comments

Rep. Gloria Johnson is presenting her bill now. It would protect contraception and abortion in the state. “Women need to be able to determine when they want a family—not with the legislature.” #tnleg @votegloriaj.bsky.social

submitted 60 days ago • 1 comment

Right now the TN House Population Health Subcommittee is meeting and will discuss a prominent IVF bill that could destroy the fertility treatment in the state. #ivf #tnleg

submitted 60 days ago • 0 comments

"No debate was allowed by lawmakers during the floor session Monday due to a prevailing motion made by House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) that pushed the bill to an immediate vote."

submitted 60 days ago • 0 comments

Tennessee is quietly maneuvering and testing the ground for state control of genetic tissue. It starts here and will end a ways away. medium.com/@rachelwells...

submitted 60 days ago • 0 comments

EXCLUSIVE: The White House says it ignored a court order to turn around 2 planeloads of accused Venezuelan gang members because the flights were over international waters and therefore the ruling didn't apply This headed to the Supreme Court Court www.axios.com/2025/03/16/t...

submitted 61 days ago • 30 comments

Schumer is talking about working out with Republicans and Trump is ignoring a court order and defying the judicial branch. Cool. Got it.

submitted 61 days ago • 0 comments

There are a ton of repro bills being heard in Tennessee this week. I’ll try to give you updates as much as possible, but keep in mind, it’s my five year-old’s spring break. 🙃 #tnleg #reprorights

submitted 66 days ago • 0 comments

WATCH: “This bill is about freedom… it will strengthen access to birth control in all forms.” Republicans blocked any debate on Sen. Charlane Oliver’s bill. Protecting access to birth control should not be partisan. Full 🎥: www.instagram.com/reel/DHE8BVF...

submitted 66 days ago • 0 comments

The #tnleg will hear a bill in the house today regarding IVF. The bill would seek to make a contract between the state, the patient and the doctor, remove all genetic testing and limit the amount of eggs to be fertilized and require custodial care plans for “abandoned embryos.” Horrific.

submitted 67 days ago • 0 comments

Last October, I wrote a story on TN's lean toward owning genetic tissue of IVF families. I'm not exaggerating when I say it'll be heard in subcommittee this week. Stay tuned for more from me and get background here. nashvillebanner.com/2024/10/21/i...

submitted 69 days ago • 0 comments

Former 🇺🇸 ambassador to Russia 👇🏽

submitted 74 days ago • 1188 comments

By some strange coincidence, Reva Siegel and I were together yesterday when Comstockery published. Thanks to everyone at the Yale Law Journal for their help, and for everyone who read and commented on the paper! www.yalelawjournal.org

submitted 76 days ago • 0 comments

EXCLUSIVE: Tennessee universities, medical centers warn Trump administration cuts will 'devastate' search for cures www.newschannel5.com/news/newscha...

submitted 91 days ago • 32 comments

Per source, early indications show the fiscal impact to TN medical research facilities is between $81M - $345M. That doesn’t include local companies receiving NIH funds.

submitted 94 days ago • 0 comments

Further confirmation that there is no enforcement mechanism for these orders. Musk and co. are going to keep going until someone physically stops them.

submitted 94 days ago • 118 comments

INDEPENDENT JOURNALISTS! Here's the second webinar in series on journalists' safety organized by @fspnwu.bsky.social with a focus on online harassment and digital safety. Sign up using the link: cpj-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

submitted 99 days ago • 1 comment

Attn Dems: Journalists love scoops!

submitted 105 days ago • 10 comments