CACR 2: relating to reproductive freedom. Providing that all persons have the right to make their own reproductive decisions.
Committee: House Judiciary
Date: February 15, 2023
Position: SUPPORT
Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, 20 million Americans – including 1 in 3 women of reproductive age – have lost access to abortion in their home state. The U.S. Supreme Court, in revoking federal constitutional protections for abortion, has thrown the health care landscape in this country into chaos and confusion. There are currently no state statutory protections for abortion in New Hampshire law; instead, RSA 329:49 clearly states, “Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed as creating or recognizing a right to abortion.” Passage of this CACR would allow voters to decide if there should indeed be a clear and affirming right to bodily autonomy.
Since Roe was overturned in 2022, voters in Vermont, Kansas, Kentucky, and Michigan overwhelmingly voted in support of individuals’ personal bodily autonomy. We know that New Hampshire has a long, bipartisan history of supporting privacy, particularly when it comes to personal medical decisions, whether for birth control, sterilization, or abortion. For decades, abortion bans and restrictions have been defeated in the New Hampshire State House with the support of both political parties – the bipartisan support is even more so true for Granite Staters writ large.
Now, the New Hampshire Legislature has the opportunity to take the proactive step to protect Granite Staters’ reproductive freedom. This is particularly critical without federal protections in place in the United States and with the continued threats on sexual and reproductive health care throughout the country. We must take action now to enshrine explicit state constitutional protections in New Hampshire.
Granite Staters deserve the opportunity to make their voices heard by voting to amend the New Hampshire Constitution to protect the rights of future generations. We urge a vote of “Ought to Pass” on CACR 2.
For more information contact: Liz Canada, [email protected], 603.686.3353
Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE) is the largest provider of reproductive and sexual health care across the State of New Hampshire. We serve New Hampshire residents through 5 health centers in Derry, Exeter, Keene, Manchester and White River Junction, VT. Last year we saw more than 10,000 patients at these sites. PPNNE was named a 2021 Guardian of Excellence Award® winner by Press Ganey, the national leader in health care consumer and workforce engagement. Press Ganey recognizes PPNNE as a top-performing health care organization, achieving the 95th percentile or above for performance in patient experience, out of more than 20,000 medical practices.
Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund (PPNHAF) is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England in New Hampshire. The Action Fund engages in educational and electoral activity, including voter education, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy