Virginia League for Planned Parenthood and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia Host Press Call to Discuss Impact of Florida’s Near-Total Abortion Ban
For Immediate Release: May 1, 2024
Virginia providers bracing for unprecedented number of patients fleeing hostile home state as Florida’s 6-week abortion ban takes effect
Richmond, Va – This morning, Paulette McElwain, President and CEO of Virginia League for Planned Parenthood, Dr. Shanthi Ramesh, Chief Medical Officer of Virginia League for Planned Parenthood and Jamie Lockhart, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia hosted a press call to discuss the enactment of Florida’s 6-week abortion ban.
Paulette McElwain, Chief Executive Officer of Virginia League for Planned Parenthood said, “my heart goes out to all those affected by the recent developments in Florida. It's with a deep sense of purpose that The Virginia League for Planned Parenthood, along with our provider partners, reaffirms our commitment to providing essential care to tens of thousands of displaced patients in the South. We know that over 80,000 patients received abortion care in Florida in 2023. Our doors are open, and our hearts are with those in need. “In the midst of this crisis, we are dedicated to meeting the unique needs of our patients and supporting our highly skilled providers and health care teams. Together, we forge ahead with compassion, determination, and unwavering resolve. “It will take all of us, together, to meet this moment, and VLPP is committed to championing accessible and equitable reproductive health care, no matter what.”
Dr. Shanthi Ramesh, Virginia League for Planned Parenthood Chief Medical Officer said, “Since the Dobbs decision I care for patients every day who drive 6 or 9 or 12 hours to obtain an abortion, I take care of patients who have never flown before coming to Virginia for their abortion and patients who are often panicked at a canceled flight or a flat tire means that we won’t be able to still see them. Prior to today Virginia was an important piece of this puzzle. But after today I am increasingly concerned about not just Floridians but the entire region and the critical role Virginia plays…No matter what obstacles are thrown our way, our mission remains clear: to provide compassionate, nonjudgmental care to all who seek it. We will continue to fight tirelessly to ensure that every individual has the autonomy to make their own health care decisions and access the services they need, when they need them.”
Jamie Lockhart, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia said, It's clear that these restrictions and bans do not reflect the will of the people. Time and again, we've seen voters stand up against these draconian laws through ballot initiatives. The public has shown a robust desire to preserve and protect reproductive rights, pushing back against overreaches that threaten our bodily autonomy. When abortion is on the ballot, reproductive freedom wins. We’ve seen this ring true in states across the political spectrum, including Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan. And we’re excited to be working with our legislative champions so Virginians get to have a say on their reproductive freedom and ensure long term protections. It’s a long process here, requiring the Virginia General Assembly to pass language twice with an intervening election, but one that is worth it to ensure that politicians cannot take the Commonwealth backwards by restrictions or banning essential reproductive health care in Virginia. Our rights should not be a political football dependent on who is in office and we have our sights set on November 3, 2026.”
Background
Americans overwhelmingly support protecting access to abortion. Two recent polls show that a majority of Virginians support amending the state’s constitution to protect abortion rights. A CNU Wason Center poll showed 62% in support and a recent poll from Virginia Commonwealth University showed that the majority of Virginians (57%) would support a ballot referendum protecting abortion rights.
ICYMI: As other states ban abortion, VA remains a beacon of hope, by Paulette McElwain for Richmond Times-Dispatch.
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The Virginia League for Planned Parenthood (VLPP) provides high-quality, affordable reproductive health care, education programs, and outreach to over four million people in the Commonwealth. VLPP is committed to ensuring reproductive freedom and reproductive health services through health centers it operates in Richmond, Hampton, and Virginia Beach.