Week in Review 8-2-2019

Access to reproductive health services are under attack in nearly every state across the country.  Six states have passed abortion bans. Six states have only one abortion clinic. More than 11 million women of reproductive age live more than a 1-hour drive from the nearest abortion clinic. There are 24 states have laws that regulate abortion providers and go beyond what is medically necessary to ensure patient safety.

These moves by anti-choice state legislators not only strip women of their reproductive freedoms, but put the lives of women and their unborn children at risk

Therefore, it is critical that the Senate pass The Women's Health Protection Act (S. 1645). This is a groundbreaking bill that protects a health care provider's ability to provide reproductive health care services, including abortion services.

Trump has appointed 99 district, 43 circuit, and 2 Supreme Court justices who are aligned with his dangerous views on abortion. Legislators in at least 32 states have introduced bills to ban abortions in some or all circumstances. These bills will most likely face support when they reach the courts. 

The Women's Health Protection Act would protect a woman's right to safe and legal abortion, along with other essential services such as family planning, and access to contraceptives, by stopping restrictive laws, regulations, and court decisions intended to curtail reproductive health services for women.

JAC-friend Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and author of the bill urged that, "The protections in this measure are more necessary now than ever before in our history because an avalanche of restrictive, reprehensible state laws is drastically reducing fundamental health care rights."

Even though Congress is not in session this month, we must continue to remind them that now it is more important than ever to keep fighting for our reproductive freedoms. 

The GOP-controlled Senate is waging a war on women's health care. We must elect Democratic Senate candidates who will stand up and fight for women's health. This includes passing meaningful legislation and confirming judges who are within the judicial mainstream which supports Roe v Wade, the law of the land.

 

The Congress is on recess. Click here to find a town hall near you and go talk to your elected officials about our issues.