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Shefali Luthra

Reproductive Health Reporter (She/Her)

I’m Shefali Luthra, The 19th’s reproductive health reporter. I’ve covered health care for more than a decade, starting at the Texas Tribune, where I wrote about abortion restrictions and the rollout of the Affordable Care Act, before moving to KFF Health News. I’m passionate about covering health care in a way that highlights policy’s human impact. I love hearing from readers about how best to do that.

My work at The 19th emphasizes abortion policy, access to fertility care and contraception, and every other corner of reproductive health. I’ve contributed to multiple award-winning projects, including our coverage of the fall of Roe v. Wade, which won a 2023 Online Journalism Award, and a series on pregnancy in post-Roe America, which won a Murrow Award. My book about the loss of abortion rights, called Undue Burden, published in May 2024.

I live in Washington D.C. and am a graduate of Brown University, where I studied English literature. When not reporting, I’m an avid runner and ardent fan of Julien Baker, the Boston Celtics and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

My work is free to consume and free to republish because of contributions from readers like you. A donation of $19 goes a long way toward sustaining our nonprofit newsroom.

Contact sbluthra@19thnews.org

Latest from Shefali Luthra

State abortion bans are preventing cancer patients from getting chemotherapy

Affidavits in Ohio show people had to leave the state for abortions before they could get cancer treatment. It’s an issue across the country.

Shefali Luthra · October 7, 2022
More than two dozen abortion clinics closed in the first 100 days post-Roe

Sixty-six clinics have stopped providing abortions. Twenty-six have closed completely. If more bans take effect, the impact could spread.

Shefali Luthra · October 6, 2022
Why Kansas' Democratic governor isn't talking about abortion on the campaign trail

Despite a huge rejection of abortion restrictions in Kansas, Gov. Laura Kelly, up for reelection this fall, isn't talking about abortion rights.

Shefali Luthra · September 20, 2022
The end of Roe could be changing people’s minds about abortion bans

Backlash to a 15-week ban and shifting public opinion data suggests people may be less tolerant of laws prohibiting second-trimester abortions.

Shefali Luthra · September 19, 2022
70% of Americans don’t trust politicians to make abortion policy, 19th News/SurveyMonkey poll finds

The majority of Americans — Republicans, Democrats, men, women and nonbinary people — distrust politicians even as states pass new restrictions.

Shefali Luthra, Jasmine Mithani · September 15, 2022
Abortion bans like Lindsey Graham’s say they have rape and incest exceptions — in practice, they don’t work.

The exceptions require people to jump through significant logistical, legal and bureaucratic hoops that render them nearly impossible to utilize, experts said.

Shefali Luthra · September 14, 2022
The Affordable Care Act’s biggest gender-based protections are under threat

The Texas-based case examines the ACA’s guarantee that preventive medicine be fully covered. It could affect coverage of PrEP, breastfeeding counseling, STI screening and contraception.

Shefali Luthra · September 14, 2022
Democrats urge Biden administration to use HIPAA to protect abortion rights and privacy

In a letter first shared with The 19th, 30 senators wrote to the health and human services secretary urging him to take action.

Shefali Luthra · September 13, 2022
Local judges now have more power to decide who gets an abortion

The surge of new bans is expanding the significance of how judges rule on local abortion matters.

Shefali Luthra · August 31, 2022
Republican midterm candidates are trying to rewrite their history on abortion. Here’s what that means.

At least three candidates have edited their campaign websites to remove references to strict abortion bans — a reflection of growing voter backlash to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Shefali Luthra · August 30, 2022