President Obama nominated Solicitor General Elena Kagan to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court that will be left by Justice John Paul Stevens, who is retiring. In a 1980 essay in the Daily Princetonian, Kagan expressed frustration over the election of anti-abortion conservatives. Yet later, while working as a policy staffer at the White House, she advised President Clinton to compromise on banning late-term abortions.

After months of debate over abortion language in health care reform legislation, the final version signed into law by President Obama attempts to keep federal funds from being directly used for abortions by requiring the segration of taxpayers' dollars. Further, the law allows states to opt out of providing federally subsidized health care plans that cover abortion. In an effort to further ensure that federal funds are not used for abortion services, Obama signed an executive order that requires the federal government to create enforcement and compliance policies for the new law. Neither abortion rights advocates nor abortion opponents approved of the final language.

Obama signed the omnibus spending bill for FY 2010, which lifts a ban on the District of Columbia using city funds for abortions.

Obama signed the omnibus spending bill for FY 2010, which increases funding for international family planning programs, the U.N. Population Fund and family planning services for low-income women.

Obama nominated Regina M. Benjamin as U.S. surgeon general. White House spokesman Reid Cherlin said that Benjamin "supports the president's position on reproductive health issues." Cherlin also said that Benjamin is committed to reducing the number of unintended pregnancies.

While accepting an honorary degree at Notre Dame's commencement ceremony, Obama called for common ground on abortion. He was greeted by picketers and a protester who interrupted his speech.

The Health and Human Services Department closed the comment period on its proposal to lift the "conscience clause" put in place by President Bush just before he left office. While measures that protect health care workers from performing procedures they oppose on religious or moral grounds have been in place since Roe v. Wade, the Obama administration argues that Bush's rule would limit access to patient care, particularly in rural areas.

Obama signed a presidential memo rolling back the so-called "Mexico City Policy," which restricts government funding for organizations that provide abortions.

On the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and his second full day in the Oval Office, Obama issued a written statement praising the decision and reiterating that "government should not intrude on our most private family matters." 

One of Obama's Justice Department nominees supports that stance: Dawn Johnsen, picked as assistant attorney general for the Office of Legal Counsel, was formerly legal director of Naral Pro-Choice America. The first indication of whether Obama will follow through on his promise may come if he acts in response to a federal lawsuit by seven states seeking to overturn protections for health care workers who refuse to participate in abortions.