Jim Hood in The Jackson Clarion-Ledger

On Abortion: Defends "heartbeat bill": abortion ban after 15 weeks

In March, Gov. Phil Bryant signed the "heartbeat bill" into law, banning abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can come as early as six weeks into pregnancy. The law does not allow exceptions for rape or incest.

The law is being challenged in federal court by the Center for Reproductive Rights. Mississippi has been in a similar position before. Last year, Bryant signed a 15-week abortion ban into law. After an emergency hearing, the law was ruled unconstitutional and blocked from taking effect.

Attorney General Jim Hood recently filed papers on behalf of the state, appealing the ruling. So, now, both the 15-week ban and the heartbeat bill are in court.

Of the legislation, Gov. Bryant previously said, "We think this is showing the profound respect and desire of Mississippians to protect the sanctity of that unborn life whenever possible."

Legislative Outcome:Passed House 81-36-2, Feb. 13; passed Senate 34-14-4, Feb. 13.

Source: Clarion-Ledger on Mississippi voting records: HB 732 May 20, 2019

On Drugs: Sue opioid manufacturers for deceptive practices

A growing tide of lawsuits alleges that drugmakers used deceptive practices so they could rake in huge profits from opioid painkillers while deceiving the public about the risk for addiction. Mississippi may again lead the way, as it did against the nation's cigarette manufacturers, suing the Connecticut-based Purdue Pharma and seven other drugmakers. The state of Ohio has now filed a similar lawsuit. The lawsuits are borrowing legal tactics the state of Mississippi pioneered against Big Tobacco. The states asserted they were victims of an industry-induced nicotine addiction that spiked health care costs for Medicaid recipients [based on deceptive marketing].

Now AG Jim Hood is using a similar argument against opioid drugmakers. "These pharmaceutical companies marketed the drug as rarely addictive and a safe substitute for non-addictive pain medications," wrote Hood, whose predecessor and professional mentor, Mike Moore, led the fight against the tobacco industry.

Source: Clarion-Ledger on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race Jun 10, 2017

On Health Care: Uncovered industry-wide plan to inflate drug prices

Unsealed court documents in a lawsuit filed by Mississippi and 41 other states show how drug companies coordinated to inflate the price of generic drugs, according to a press release from Attorney General Jim Hood. "The evidence shows an industry-wide conspiracy to hinder access to drugs that Americans rely on every day," "It shows that these people knew that what they were doing was illegal and then took measures to make sure their actions weren't uncovered. Today, their cover is blown." Source: Clarion-Ledger on 2019 Mississippi gubernatorial race Jun 26, 2019

The above quotations are from Media coverage of MS political races in The Jackson Clarion-Ledger. Click here for other excerpts from Media coverage of MS political races in The Jackson Clarion-Ledger. Click here for other excerpts by Jim Hood. Click here for a profile of Jim Hood.
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