House Passes Unpopular Constitutional Amendment, Paving the Way to Ban Abortion

Politicians Parading as Physicians are the Ultimate Danger to the Public Health Crises Kentuckians Face

FRANKFORT, KY – Today, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Indiana and Kentucky (PPAIK) condemned legislators for the passage of House Bill 91. This bill would amend the Kentucky Constitution and pave the way for a total ban on safe and legal abortion across the commonwealth if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.

Already, 1 in 3 people of reproductive age live in a state where abortion could be outlawed if Roe is overturned. That’s 25 million people. If HB 91 becomes law, that could mean at least 1 million more Kentuckians would be without access to basic health care during a pandemic with no end in sight.

“The hypocrisy of the Kentucky General Assembly and its claim to care for its constituency is astounding,” said Tamarra Wieder, Kentucky State Director for PPAIK. “Kentuckians need COVID-19 plans, not abortion bans. Don’t be fooled by confusing language peddled by politicians — the intent of this constitutional amendment and the politicians behind it is to eliminate access to abortion. For many, abortion is a right on paper only. These political theatrics will have dangerous repercussions that put abortion out of reach for all. If Roe is overturned and this amendment passes, that choice along with access to care would be stripped by politicians parading as physicians. It is wrong. We will continue to fight for every Kentuckians’ ability to choose if, when, and how they become pregnant.”

House Bill 91 passed 76 - 20 in the House and will now move to the Senate.

This is the fifth consecutive year anti-abortion lawmakers have introduced legislation to take away the right to abortion. This legislative session alone, the Kentucky General Assembly has already passed two bills attacking abortion access.

Opponents of the bill shared powerful stories on the floor, including personal experiences with pregnancy, rape, and medical access. Planned Parenthood proudly stands with the legislators who bravely shared the harmful reality Kentuckians may face if this hostile piece of legislation becomes law.

###

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Indiana and Kentucky (PPAIK) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to ensuring access to affordable reproductive health care, including abortion, by educating residents and policy-makers about issues affecting Hoosiers and Kentuckians. PPAIK lobbies and educates to advance Planned Parenthood’s mission and engages in limited electoral activities.