Reproductive Freedom Defense Act and Trans Refuge Bill Pass Senate Judiciary Committee
St. Paul, MN — Last Friday, the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act (RFDA) and the Trans Refuge Bill passed the Minnesota Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, their final stop before a Senate floor vote. Both bills focus on protecting access to comprehensive, life-saving health care that has become politicized and sometimes banned in other states across the upper Midwest. People accessing essential care in Minnesota deserve to do so without fear of prosecution, and doctors practicing in Minnesota deserve to care for patients without fear of criminal charges from other states.
The Reproductive Freedom Defense Act would protect patients in Minnesota, coming to Minnesota from a state that bans abortions, and doctors who practice in Minnesota or outside of Minnesota. The Trans Refuge Bill would protect access to gender-affirming care in Minnesota. Gender-affirming care is just that – affirming – and supportive of the patient’s goals.
Statement from Dr. Sarah Traxler, Chief Medical Officer at Planned Parenthood North Central States:
“Last week, under the leadership of Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee Chair Sen. Ron Latz, the committee voted to trust doctors and our patients. These bills boil down to the same thing – they acknowledge that people deserve to make their own decisions about their lives and their futures. And doctors deserve to practice the care we were trained to provide without fear of persecution.
All I want, and doctors across Minnesota want, is to provide the best care we can to our patients. I’m proud to be in the room with my patients, helping them decide what care is best for their bodies, their lives, and their futures, whether that’s abortion care, or gender-affirming care. Minnesota is taking action to tell people you belong here. We see you, and we respect your lived experiences.”
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Founded in 1992, the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization. As the advocacy and electoral arm of PPMNS, we mobilize supporters of all parties to defend and increase access to family planning services and fact based, medically accurate sexuality education. We work to inspire and engage citizens to take up the cause of reproductive health and rights through education, electoral activity, grassroots organizing and legislative advocacy.
Visit us at www.plannedparenthoodadvocate.org
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