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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
American abortion pioneer dies in UK hospital aged 93 after being sectioned due to dementia, inquest hears
An American abortion pioneer died in the UK aged 93 after being sectioned due to dementia, an inquest has heard. Dr Horace Hale Harvey III, born in New Orleans in December 1931, opened one of the first independent abortion clinics in the US in July 1970. The clinic, called Women's Services and located in Manhatten, New York, provided safe and affordable abortions for women after after New York reformed its laws. Prior to the opening of his transformative clinic, the medical doctor, who had a Ph.D in philosophy, had been performing illegal abortions in New Orleans. He also became a preferred provider of the Clergy Consultation Service on Abortion, a network of ministers and rabbis who confidentially referred women to medical professionals with a reputation of providing safe terminations. In 1972, Dr Harvey moved to the Isle of Wight where he worked for public health services before relocating to Dorset after his house burnt down in 2014. The innovative physician was said to have chosen the small UK coastal isle as 'according to his research, it had the highest average temperature and received more hours of sunlight than anywhere else in England'. He died in Dorchester on February 14 of this year due to complications from a fall, his daughter Kate Harvey revealed. An obituary by the New York Times described Dr Harvey as an abortion provider who had sought to 'combat what he felt was an epidemic of unsafe abortions at a time when unmarried women were denied access to contraceptives, and when comprehensive sex education was discouraged'. Meanwhile, Arlene Carmen and the Rev. Howqard Moody previously described Dr Harvey as having a 'unique style' with an 'imagination to provide extras that no other "illegal" abortionist would have even considered'. He was said to have provided fizzy drinks and cookies to patients after the procedure, alongside decorating the operating room with bright colours. Prior to the implementation of Roe v. Wade legislation, Dr Harvey's office was known to be one of the most important abortion clinics across the US, operating seven days a week. After moving to the UK in the early 1970s, Dr Harvey resumed his philosophy studies and even showed up for classes at the University of Cambridge, despite not being enrolled as a student at the prestigious institution. A catastrophic fire destroyed the home that he had previously shared with his former wife, Helen Cox, and their two children, eventually prompting the move to Dorset. In a statement read to the Bournemouth inquest, Kate said that her father was 'very determined' to keep healthy by walking a mile and doing 20 squats each day. She added that her father, who was 'committed to Aristotelian ethics and scientific learning' also 'enjoyed laughter and making up jokes', alongside activities such as dance, table tennis and snooker. Dr Harvey was sadly found dead in his bed at Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester (pictured) on February 14. A Bournemouth inquest heard that in late 2024, Dr Harvey was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and PTSD following a catastrophic fire at his home 10 years prior The inquest heard that in late 2024, Dr Harvey was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and PTSD after the house fire 10 years earlier. On January 22 this year, he was taken to Dorset County Hospital having suffered a rib fracture due to a fall at home. Due to physiotherapists' concerns at Dr Harvey's ability to understand care instructions, he was later assessed by psychiatrists and detained under the mental health act. Coroner Richard Middleton said that Dr Harvey was increasingly experiencing delirium and paranoia. Dr Harvey was sadly found dead in his hospital bed in the early hours of February 14. A post-mortem examination found his cause of death to be schaemic heart disease and coronary artery disease. Recording a conclusion of death by natural causes, the coroner explained that the inquest had to be held by law because Dr Harvey was formally detained by the state at the time of his death. Mr Middleton added: 'I express my deepest condolences to all of Dr Harvey's family and friends for their loss.' Dr Harvey is survived by his daughter Kate, son Russell and three grandchildren.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Asylum seekers handed almost one million NHS 'free passes' in the last five years
Asylum seekers have been handed almost one million NHS 'free passes' in the last five years, official new data reveals. The HC2 certificates give Britons on low incomes the right to free health services that most people would have to pay for. This includes prescriptions, dental care, eye tests, wigs, and discounts for glasses, contact lenses, and travelling to and from appointments. But figures released under freedom of information laws show most of the 1.56 million issued across the UK since 2020 were awarded to asylum seekers. They accounted for 920,199, or 59 per cent, of the certificates awarded over this period the NHS Business Services Authority told the Telegraph. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said the figures 'are another illustration of the costs of illegal immigration'. 'Those crossing the Channel invariably claim asylum, and then receive housing, bills paid, free money and full healthcare – despite never having paid a penny in tax and having entered the country illegally,' he said. 'No wonder illegal immigrants from across Europe are flocking to the UK.' Anyone who can demonstrate they have a low or no income can apply for an HC2 certificate regardless of their immigration status. Asylum seekers are automatically given one if they are eligible for 'section 95 support' under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, which means they are entitled to claim financial and housing assistance. Other migrants claiming asylum are able to apply for it, depending on the levels of support they are receiving. Conservative MP Steve Barclay, a former health secretary, said it was 'an abuse of taxpayer funds' and 'completely wrong that asylum seekers are receiving beneficial access to health treatment compared to the taxpayers who fund it'. The certificate provides 'full help with health costs', such as unlimited dental care and prescriptions, vouchers worth up to £233 to spend on glasses, as well as refunds on any travel costs to hospital appointments. The cost of a prescription for a British resident is £9.90 if they have no other exemption, while the most basic NHS dentist check-up is £27.40. Dental treatments cost hundreds of pounds more. A simple NHS eye test costs £23.55, while wigs and fabric supports, which can be given to patients with hair loss because of alopecia or cancer treatment, can cost in excess of £300. Asylum seekers must renew their certificates every six months, rather than the 12 months that applies to other UK residents. But holders are able to continue using their certificate to get all costs covered until it expires, even if their circumstances change. Anyone with an HC2 form can also get free care for their partner and children or dependents up to the age of 18. There have been 317,000 claims for asylum from migrants within the UK over the same period, which is double the number in the previous five years, between 2015 and 2019. New data released on Thursday revealed that 25,000 migrants had crossed the English Channel on small boats in 2025, hitting the milestone earlier in the year than ever before. An NHS spokesperson said: 'The NHS is legally required to provide healthcare services to asylum seekers, including access to help with health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme.' A government spokesperson said: 'We are fixing the chaotic asylum system we inherited and have returned over 35,000 people, including failed asylum seekers, immigrants and foreign national offenders to ultimately relieve pressures on nationwide services. 'These certificates do not give access to NHS services ahead of people who don't have one. 'The highest number of certificates issued in the last five years were under the previous administration.'
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Sixteen states sue White House over healthcare access for transgender youth
Sixteen states are suing the Trump administration to defend transgender youth healthcare access, which has rapidly eroded across the US due to threats from the federal government. The Democratic attorneys general of California, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois and Connecticut are leading the lawsuit, announced on Friday, which challenges the president's efforts to eradicate vital medical treatments for trans youth. The complaint targets one of the president's first executive orders issued in January, which described puberty blockers and hormone therapy as 'chemical and surgical mutilation', called for federal funds to be withheld from hospitals that provide the treatments and suggested the US Department of Justice could investigate doctors. Those gender-affirming treatments, which are accessed by a small fraction of youth in the US, have for years been the standard of care endorsed by major US medical associations. Under intensifying threats that hospitals could lose federal funding, and growing fears that providers could be criminally prosecuted, a number of major institutions have abruptly ended gender-affirming care for trans youth. The crackdown has sent families scrambling for alternatives, including in blue states long considered sanctuaries for LGBTQ+ rights, where clinics and lawmakers had previously assured youth they would be shielded from Donald Trump's agenda. Last month, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, one of the nation's largest and most prominent institutions to serve trans kids, shuttered its gender-affirming care center for youth after three decades, citing funding threats from across the federal government. Other institutions that have recently pulled back gender-affirming care services for trans youth include Phoenix Children's Hospital in Arizona, Stanford Medicine, Denver Health, the University of Chicago, the University of Pennsylvania and Children's National Hospital in Washington DC. Some have ceased surgeries for patients under age 19, which are rare, while others have also ended hormone therapy and puberty blockers. The justice department in July also announced that it had sent subpoenas to more than 20 doctors and clinics that provide gender-affirming care to youth, a move that sent shock waves among providers and raised alarms that patients' information could be shared with the federal government. The suit notes the administration has already launched criminal investigations and explicitly threatened providers in California, Colorado and Massachusetts and that officials have 'demanded extensive data, including patient medical records'. The blue states are also challenging a June memo from Brett Shumate, assistant US attorney general, which directed the justice department's civil division to 'use all available resources to prioritize investigations of doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and other appropriate entities' that provide gender-affirming care. Republican lawmakers in more than 25 states have moved to restrict trans youth healthcare in recent years. But the treatments remain legal in other parts of the country, and states such as California have anti-discrimination laws that explicitly protect the services. The plaintiffs argue that Trump's actions should be declared unlawful, alleging his order exceeds federal authority. California's attorney general, Rob Bonta, also challenged Trump's definition of children as people under the age of 19, affecting 18-year-old adults' access to care, saying the administration's directives force hospitals to violate state laws. Bonta said denying this care has been shown to worsen mental health outcomes, including increased rates of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. 'Trump and Bondi are not trained medical professionals. They aren't at all qualified to give anyone medical advice. What's worse, they refuse to listen to the actual experts,' he said at a press conference. Sign up to This Week in Trumpland A deep dive into the policies, controversies and oddities surrounding the Trump administration after newsletter promotion Citing comments from one parent of a trans child treated at a center that is shutting down, Bonta said: 'This closure will be life and death for trans youth who can no longer get the care they need.' 'What would you do if your child was diagnosed with gender dysphoria? I would fight for my kid every single day,' added William Tong, the Connecticut attorney general. 'We're fighting for … parents who just want to do the best for their kids, as we all do, to help them live their best and truest lives.' Joining the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Wisconsin, along with the District of Columbia and the Pennsylvania governor. The White House and justice department have been contacted for comment. The suit comes after the US supreme court upheld Tennessee's ban on trans youth healthcare. 'Hormone therapy truly saves lives,' said Eli, a trans 16-year-old who lost his healthcare in Los Angeles, in a recent Guardian interview. 'I wish people understood they're doing so much more harm than they could possibly imagine – that so many lives will be hurt and lost and so many people torn apart.'
