New York Representatives Must Support the Women's Health Protection Act

This past July, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which include several harmful provisions that would restrict access to health care, including abortion and gender-affirming care. Anti-abortion and anti-trans House members passed three amendments that would:

Reverse the Department of Defense policy to support service members and their families who are forced to travel off base for reproductive health care — including abortion care — that is not covered or offered at their base
Prohibit coverage of gender affirming care through TRICARE, exacerbating the existing impact of discrimination on transgender service members
Prohibit provision of gender affirming care through the Exceptional Family Member Program.

But we can demand better. Right now, there is a petition in the House to bring the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA or HR 12) to the floor for a vote, but there aren’t enough votes to do so yet. The WHPA, if enacted, would prohibit governmental restrictions on the provision of, and access to, abortion services. There is a petition to discharge the WHPA from the committee it is in and move it to the floor, House Resolution 468. If a majority of the House were to sign on to H.Res. 468, the WHPA could be voted on by the House.

Here is what we have to say to the New York State Congress Members who voted for the (NDAA). We need sexual and reproductive care across the country, for our members of the military, and for all people who may seek abortion or gender affirming care, no matter what. Your recent votes on the amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act are not representative of the views of the people in your district—we want more access to health care, not less. We want people, not politicians, to make their own health care decisions. We support abortion rights and the right to gender-affirming care. We urge you to sign on to the discharge petition (H.Res.468) to bring the Women’s Health Care Protection Act to the floor for a vote. This bill will protect the right to access abortion and ensure that people are making a decision with a health care provider.

Let your Congress members know you urge them to sign the petition to bring the Women's Health Protection Act to a vote. Filling out this form will send an email to your representative according to the address you provide, and your representative will know that supporting access to sexual and reproductive care is a priority for their constituents.

Tags: WHPA, Accountability, Congretional, NDAA