This blog post was written by Robin Chappelle Golston, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts for our 2018 PowHer The Vote campaign.
Politics has no place in the exam room. Extremist politicians who believe their personal views should trump the reality of our reproductive health care have no place in New York State. The simple fact is control of our reproductive health care and rights is essential to women and fundamental to our ability to succeed at work, at school, and at home.
With the federal administration exploring all avenues to restrict women’s ability to access reproductive health care, it is essential that our state lawmakers are united on the need to protect our care. Unfortunately, the current Senate leadership has made a choice to roadblock essential reproductive health legislation from access to contraception to abortion. That decision is in direct conflict with the majority of New Yorkers who polling shows consistently support abortion access.
Our state’s abortion law was written over 40 years ago, and three years before Roe v. Wade. For years, advocates have supported theReproductive Health Act (RHA) to align our state law to the constitutional protections provided under Roe so that women have access to the care they need and have a constitutional right to obtain. Now with the future of Roe uncertain, this update must become law in New York State.
Even in the face of the latest and greatest challenge to women’s autonomy, our state senate leadership has made the decision to double down on their opposition and continue to demonize reproductive health care legislation, lie about the reality of women’s health care and shame and stigmatize women for their reproductive health care decisions. It’s time to stop trying to turn the clock back on our care and trust women and their health care providers.
Our reproductive health care cannot be used as a political football. This November we have the choice to elect a Senate that knows that abortion is health care, not a crime and a common experience for women with over one in four women receiving abortion care before age 45.
We have a few short weeks to make a difference on November 6th and every vote counts. Know where your candidates stand on reproductive health care, help mobilize turnout and vote for our future!
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Planned Parenthood Advocates of New York is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of the Planned Parenthoods of New York State. PPANY engages in education and electoral activity including voter education campaigns, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy. PPANY is a non-partisan organization committed to supporting pro-choice, pro-family planning candidates for elected office.