The Time is Now to Put Health Before Politics and Protect the Right to Abortion
The momentum behind the Reproductive Health Care Act continues to grow as it heads to a hearing in the Senate and a committee vote in the House.
(Providence, RI) – Statement by The Womxn Project on a health professional lobby day, Senate Judiciary hearing on the Reproductive Health Care Act (S 152) and House Judiciary committee vote on a proposed amendment to the Reproductive Privacy Act (H 5125), which is supported by The Womxn Project and the Rhode Island Coalition for Reproductive Freedom:
Health professionals know that when it comes to questions of pregnancy and parenting, it is not about politics. It is about the health and safety of your patients. It is about making sure that health professionals can support people as they make the best decisions for their lives and their unique circumstances. It is about making sure people have the full range of options, support and compassion, and safe, quality care. That is what is at stake with the threat to Roe and the right to abortion.
If Roe is overturned, it means that every state would determine if women can get safe and legal care. We need to make sure that no matter what happens at the federal level that in Rhode Island we protect the right to seek an abortion.
We’ve waited long enough: now is the time to make clear that Rhode Island respects every person’s ability to make their own decision about how to build their family, manage their health and plan their pregnancies.
“Let me be clear: the only revolutionary thing about this bill is that it has taken nearly 5 decades to pass it. I introduced this bill because of my strongly held belief that health care is a human right, and abortion is health care. Women deserve autonomy over their own health care decisions, including access to abortion. In the days before abortion was legal in Rhode Island, women still had them. Women who could afford it, traveled across state lines, women who couldn’t afford that option, risked their lives by seeking medical care in back alleys. I have met with people from every corner of this state who support this bill and our counting on us to take action. Voting in favor of this bill shows that you are standing with women, respecting that we have full capacity to make decisions for our own selves and acknowledging that women deserve to live free from oppression of any kind. It is one step in creating a more just world.” Senator Gayle Goldin, lead sponsor of the Reproductive Health Care Act (S 152)
“We are here to say enough is enough. We are not content to watch our rights be trampled on or taken away at the federal level or ignored in our own state. This bill is a necessary and powerful challenge to the hundreds of new restrictions on abortion we have seen across the country in recent years. This bill stands as a clear rejection of the Trump-Pence agenda to undermine women’s rights and withhold the right to make our own decisions.” Jordan Hevenor, Co-Director, The Womxn Project
“We need to make sure that no matter what happens at the federal level that in Rhode Island people have the right to seek an abortion. We are done with the lies and the misinformation being spread by our opposition. This bill simply codifies the protections of Roe and puts the health, safety and rights of women in our state ahead of political agendas. No more delays. We need to pass legislation this year.” Jocelyn Foye, Co-Director, The Womxn Project
“Every Rhode Islander deserves to trust that their health and the health of their loved ones will drive each important medical decision — not partisan tactics. Fear mongering and myths around when and why abortions occur must be rebuked. There is no room for politics in the delivery of care. Every individual needs access to the full range of evidenced-based treatment options, and abortion care should be no different. Our state legislators must stand on the side of medical accuracy and compassion and pass the RHCA.” Dr. Emily White, Rhode Island section chair of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
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The Womxn Project staff, sponsors and health professional lobby day speakers are available for interview upon request. Media wishing to cover these events are asked to contact Jordan Hevenor (401-829-9519).
