Landmark federal legislation restores dignity to women’s healthcare, safeguards reproductive freedom during time of unprecedented attacks in the states
For Immediate Release: May 23, 2019
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After the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA) was introduced in Congress today by Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representative Judy Chu, NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue issued the following statement:
“Anti-choice Republicans have launched an all-out assault on reproductive freedom, mercilessly chipping away at our rights and stripping access to abortion through everything from unnecessary regulations all the way to total bans on abortion. And it’s women and families who are paying the price,” said NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue. “We, the seven in 10 Americans who support abortion access, say ‘no more.’ It’s time for legislation that takes reproductive freedom seriously—and that’s the Women’s Health Protection Act. NARAL applauds this legislation for restoring dignity to women’s healthcare and sending a clear message that our reproductive freedom is not up for debate.”
The Women’s Health Protection Act comes on the heels of a wave of abortion bans sweeping the country. Bans on abortion have been introduced, passed, or signed into law in 30 states this year alone, explicitly designed to undo Roe v. Wade while outlawing abortion, criminalizing doctors, and punishing women. As abortion access hangs by a thread in states across the country, WHPA is a critical federal safeguard against the erosion of abortion access caused by medically unnecessary restrictions and bans. The bill takes a critical step toward protecting access to essential reproductive healthcare and the constitutional rights of all people, no matter where they live.
The bill’s introduction also comes amidst a surge of national mobilization and outrage over abortion bans. On Tuesday, NARAL and 80 partner organizations held a National Day of Action to Stop the Bans, resulting in over 500 events across all 50 states, including DC and Puerto Rico.
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NARAL Pro-Choice America and its network of state affiliates and chapters are dedicated to protecting and expanding reproductive freedom for all. For more than 50 years, NARAL has worked to guarantee that every woman has the right to make personal decisions regarding the full range of reproductive choices, including preventing unintended pregnancy, bearing healthy children, and choosing legal abortion. Since 1969, NARAL has made history, grown to over 2 million members, and met the moments that have defined this fight with action, power and freedom. In recognition of its work defending our constitutional right to choose, Fortune Magazine described NARAL as “one of the top 10 advocacy groups in America.”