Reproductive rights are in danger as many states across the country are denying the fundamental right of women to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions. These state decisions not only affect pregnant individuals, but other people accessing life-saving healthcare. Since states have started banning or severely restricting abortion care, patients with rheumatoid arthritis or cancer have reported difficulty accessing the pregnancy terminating drug, methotrexate, which happens to be a necessity for people’s health and well-being.
 
The overturning of Roe v. Wade has left uncertainty, confusion, and anxiety around women’s healthcare. Moreover, although access to abortion care in Pennsylvania is still safe and legal that access hangs in the balance. It is imperative that states come together and guarantee the rights of women to seek medical care. We must work to preserve access to all healthcare- ensuring that women can seek and secure safe abortions from healthcare professionals.
 
No one should be denied their right to reproductive care, which is why I am introducing legislation to create the Women’s Reproductive HealthCare Compact. Under this bill, states can collect data, protect women’s reproductive healthcare service delivery, and find ways to work with neighboring states to protect and defend reproductive rights. In addition, states will work together to prevent investigations of reproductive healthcare services, disclosure of records, and negative licensing actions.
 
I urge you to join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation to further protect the livelihoods of women throughout Pennsylvania and the United States.