Anniversary of Fallen Roe v. Wade is a Stark Reminder of the Work Ahead to Protect Access to Comprehensive Sexual + Reproductive Health Care
Los Angeles, CA – Today would have marked 52 years since the landmark Roe v. Wade decision affirmed the constitutional right to abortion, securing protections for reproductive freedom nationwide. Although Roe made this essential health care legal, access remained out of reach for millions due to harmful restrictions, provider gaps, and cost barriers. While Roe was always the floor, the overturning of this monumental decision has eviscerated abortion access in half the states across the U.S.
Looming threats at the federal level are expected to further hinder the ability of people across the country to get the sexual and reproductive health services they want and need. In the face of these anticipated threats, state leaders in “Reproductive Freedom States” must act decisively and urgently to safeguard and enhance access to life-changing and life-saving care including abortion and contraception.
“Now is the time for bold, transformative action to protect reproductive freedom” said Amy Moy, Co-CEO of Essential Access Health. “State leaders must act urgently to sustain investments in sexual and reproductive health access programs, remove barriers to birth control and backfill any potential loss of federal Title X family planning dollars, bolster protections for abortion access – especially in light of anticipated threats to medication abortion – shield providers from harm, and raise public awareness about rights and linkages to care. States have an opportunity and an obligation to hold the line, promote access, and advance reproductive equity in every way possible.”
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Essential Access Health advances reproductive equity and champions quality sexual and reproductive health care for all through distributing public funding, policy advocacy, research, training and capacity building for the health care workforce, and youth and community empowerment. We work to ensure that everyone, everywhere can get the care they want and need, where and how they need it, with dignity and respect.
Learn more at essentialaccess.org