Senate Majority Fails to Protect the Future of Health Care with the Confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court 

New York – Today, the Senate majority voted to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to fill Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat on the United States Supreme Court – in less than 40 days; while New Yorkers have waited more than 200 days for additional COVID-19 relief. 

This rush to fill the seat before passing any pandemic relief showcases a complete disregard for the global health crisis that has infected nearly 500,000 New Yorkers, taken the lives of more than 33,000 throughout the state, and left 9.7 percent of the New York workforce without a job. The Senate majority's failure to prioritize Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and communities of color that are disproportionately suffering from the health and economic ramifications of the pandemic further perpetuates systemic racism in this country. 

Amy Coney Barrett spent her nomination hearing dodging questions on reproductive health care access, the Affordable Care Act, marriage equality, voting rights, and racial discrimination. But her judicial record, writings, and views are clear: she poses a direct threat to our reproductive health and rights, the Affordable Care Act, and more. 

Statement from Pascale Bernard, Vice President of Community Organizing and Political Affairs, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York Action Fund: 

The Senate majority has failed to protect the future of health care in this country. The rushed, divisive confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett jeopardizes access to health care for the more than 4 million New Yorkers who rely on the Affordable Care Act to receive vital sexual and reproductive health services like cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, birth control, and abortion care.   

In just a few weeks, the Supreme Court will hear another unnecessary ACA challenge. This is a cruel attempt by politicians to strip health care from people who need it most, during a time when they need it most. The consequences of a negative Supreme Court decision would be especially damaging to Black, Latinx, and other marginalized communities who are forced to withstand the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

With Barrett on the bench, the Supreme Court also has the power to render the protections of Roe v. Wade meaningless. Abortion is health care and must remain safe, legal, and accessible to anyone who needs it. Planned Parenthood of Greater New York Action Fund is working day in and day out to ensure all New Yorkers and people across the country can continue to access quality, compassionate sexual and reproductive health care - today, tomorrow, always.

In 2019, New York proactively enshrined the protections of Roe v. Wade in state law with the passage of the Reproductive Health Act, making abortion care safe and legal in New York despite federal interference. Planned Parenthood of Greater New York Action Fund is proud to support progressive legislation that ensure safe, affordable access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care and education – including access to safe, legal abortion. 

 

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Planned Parenthood of Greater New York Action Fund is the advocacy arm of PPGNY. The Planned Parenthood of Greater New York Action Fund engages in educational and electoral activity, including issue advocacy, voter education, and grassroots organizing to promote Planned Parenthood's mission. The Planned Parenthood of Greater New York Action Fund is a non-partisan, non-profit organization affiliated with Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.