Planned Parenthood of Southern New England Applauds Senator Blumenthal for Introducing the Women’s Health Protection Act

‘Senator Blumenthal continues to support women’s rights,’ says Planned Parenthood of Southern New England President Judy Tabar

Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) applauds legislation introduced today that would block state restrictions on access to abortion. The bill would protect a woman’s ability to make her own personal medical decisions, no matter where she lives, without interference from politicians.

Introduced today by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), as well as Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA), Lois Frankel (D-FL) and Marcia Fudge (D-OH), the Women’s Health Protection Act would create federal protections against state restrictions on abortion that do not advance women’s health and safety, and instead create barriers to accessing this safe and legal medical procedure.

"A record number of bills have been signed across the country that restrict a woman’s access to safe and legal abortion. The Women’s Health Protection Act would put an end to politicians interfering with a woman’s personal health care decisions. A woman’s constitutional rights should not vary based on where she lives," said Judy Tabar President & CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England.

"Senator Blumenthal continues to support women’s rights and we applaud him for his tireless efforts to advance women’s health. Thank you Senator Blumenthal for your help in introducing legislation that combats these attacks on women’s health and for standing up for women in Connecticut and all across the country," Tabar said.

In the last few years, more than 160 restrictions on access to abortion have passed in 30 states – more than 40 of these new restrictions have passed in 2013 alone. Many of these laws are passing in states where there already is very little access to health care and family planning for women.

The impact of these restrictions has come into sharp focus in recent weeks, as abortion has been effectively banned in large swaths of Texas after a new law went into effect that prevents approximately a third of the state’s licensed abortion providers from providing abortion services. Overnight, women who made the deeply personal, complex decision to end a pregnancy were prevented from exercising their constitutional rights.

One Texas woman suffering from a life-threatening genetic illness cannot receive an abortion due to the new restrictions there and is reportedlyraising funds to travel to a hospital in San Francisco for the procedure.  

Planned Parenthood, the Center for Reproductive Rights, and the American Civil Liberties Union are challenging the law in court. The legislation introduced on November 13 would make the restrictions in Texas unlawful.

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