After years of advocacy, we could not be happier to tell you that earlier today, Governor Dan McKee introduced a budget for 2024 that includes health coverage for abortion for state employees and people who use Medicaid. Every one of you who has made a call, sent an email or showed up at the State House with us to push for an inclusive budget and push for the EACA should be very proud right now! This is a big deal and would not have happened without your hard work!
We look forward to working with the Administration and the General Assembly to ensure harmful abortion bans stay out of the budget and to pass the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act (H5006 and S32)! This will be critical, so that no one has to wait year to year to see if they have coverage for abortion. We need to make this permanent!
Sample Post:
Thank you, @GovDanMcKee for including health coverage for abortion for state employees and Medicaid in the 2024 budget. This shows real leadership on abortion access at such a critical moment! Onwards together to keep abortion bans out of the budget and #PassTheEACA!
Check out our press statement below to learn more and get inspired for the work to come!
It is often said that a budget is a statement of priorities. It shows what matters to people. We are thrilled that the Governor and his Administration made it clear that access to abortion matters! Let’s take a moment to celebrate!
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Immediate Release: Jan 19, 2023 @4:15pm
Advocates Commend Governor for a Budget that Protects Abortion Access
Groups from across the state are celebrating McKee living up to his commitment to introduce an FY 24 budget that does not include bans on health coverage for abortion.
[Providence, RI] – Statement from Steering Committee members of the Campaign for Equal Abortion Coverage on the release of Governor McKee’s FY 24 budget:
“Earlier today, Governor Dan McKee introduced his proposed budget for 2024. We are thrilled that he included health coverage for abortion for state employees and people who use Medicaid. This is such an exciting move forward after years of advocacy.
For too long, access to abortion services have been restricted based on the type of health insurance people use. Our campaign partners and countless Rhode Islanders fought hard to protect the right to an abortion in our state, and in these post-Roe days, that is something to be proud of. By making strides to ensure that services are affordable, the Governor and his Administration are showing real leadership on this issue. People should not be denied the ability to make decisions about their healthcare simply because they use a public health program to afford health services.
This legislative session, we look forward to working with the Administration and the General Assembly to ensure harmful abortion bans stay out of the budget. Passing the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act (H5006 and S32) will also be critical, so that no one has to wait year to year to see if the state budget reflects the values of Rhode Island and the commitment to reproductive freedom. There is still work to be done to see this through and get the EACA enacted, but today we celebrate. Thank you, Governor McKee.”