From the moment Trump took office, women’s basic health care and reproductive rights have been under constant attack.
Last summer, the Trump-Pence administration tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act ― three times!
Then, Neil Gorsuch, a staunch, conservative judge with a poor record on women’s health and rights, was seated to the US Supreme Court.
In May, the Department of Health and Human Services, under the direction of the Trump-Pence administration, announced its intent to defund providers like Planned Parenthood from federal funds for telling our patients about all their pregnancy options ― essentially “gagging” medical providers from telling patients all the information they need and deserve to make the best decisions for themselves.
And at this very moment, we are on the precipice of the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh ― another anti-choice conservative justice who would tip the balance of our nation’s highest court.
Indeed, if Justice Kavanaugh’s LIFETIME appointment moves forward, we are facing the very real and dangerous possibility that Roe v. Wade, the decision that legalized abortion in the United States, could be overturned or gutted.
If that were to happen, abortion rights and access would revert to individual states. To this, some people might argue that, as New York state residents, we don’t need to worry too much; that New York is “progressive.”
Those people would be wrong. And women would pay the price with their lives.
For nearly a decade, the New York State Senate has refused to act on legislation that would codify Roe v. Wade in New York state law. The bill, called the Reproductive Health Act (RHA), has unfailingly passed in the State Assembly.
However, the anti-choice majority in the State Senate thwarts this bill every time.
Every. Single. Time.
The New York State Senate also refuses to vote on the Comprehensive Contraceptive Coverage Act (the CCCA), a law that would ensure that people in New York can access affordable, effective birth control ― regardless of what happens at the federal level.
With relentless assaults on women’s health care and rights unfolding daily at the national level, New Yorkers must speak up and stand up for women. And the best way to do that is at the polls this November.
Voting in a pro-choice, pro-women’s health care and rights majority to the New York State Senate is the only way to ensure that New York State stands as a beacon for reproductive rights for the women who live here, and a safe haven for those who don’t.
In the meantime, we still have a chance to stop the madness by calling our U.S. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to let them know that we support their opposition to the confirmation of Kavanagh to the Supreme Court at 202-684-2473.
JoAnn D. Smith, Treasurer
Planned Parenthood of Nassau County Action Fund Political Committee
