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With Roe v. Wade at Risk at the Supreme Court, Senate Refuses to Take A Stand On the Future of Abortion Rights in New Hampshire

For Immediate Release: Feb. 3, 2022


CONCORD - On Thursday, February 3, 2022, the New Hampshire Senate voted on a voice vote to table SB 436, the Access to Abortion-care Act. The tabling motion was made after an “Inexpedient to Legislate” motion failed, 12-12, with Republican Senators Jeb Bradley and Erin Hennessey joining Senate Democrats. SB 436 would enshrine abortion rights into state law and ensure that abortion remains safe, legal, and accessible in our state - regardless of what decision is handed down at the US Supreme Court in the coming months. Unlike our surrounding states, in New Hampshire there are no protections for abortion rights in the law. 

The U.S. Supreme Court currently poses an unprecedented threat to abortion access nationwide and could overturn Roe v. Wade by June of 2022. This decision would result in 26 states moving to ban or deeply restrict abortion access, which could directly impact 36 million, or nearly half, of U.S. women of reproductive age. New Hampshire currently has no protections for abortion rights.

At the January 19 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, 1,642 individuals signed in support of SB 436 with just 117 opposed. 

Statement from Liz Canada, Advocacy Manager for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England and Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund:

“We are at a crisis moment in our country. In just a few months, the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to dismantle Roe v. Wade and erase nearly 50 years of legal precedent. By June, abortion could be illegal in 26 states. 

Less than a year after passing New Hampshire’s first abortion ban in modern history, it is disappointing the Senate refused to take a stand on Granite Staters’ right to abortion before 24 weeks. Their inaction opens the door for further attacks on abortion access in New Hampshire. 

While today’s vote is disappointing, the New Hampshire House still has an opportunity to support this New Hampshire solution to ensure the future of abortion access - without government interference - by passing HB 1674.”

BACKGROUND:

New Hampshire’s Access to Abortion-care Act (AAA)

  • SB 436 would put abortion rights into state statute. If passed into law, regardless of what happens in the U.S. Supreme Court, abortion will remain safe, legal, and accessible in the Granite State.

  • The Access to Abortion-care Act upholds long-held New Hampshire values by enshrining the right to make personal, private health decisions regarding abortion in law. 

  • The AAA does not change anything about current New Hampshire abortion laws; it does, however, provide critical protections to ensure that Granite Staters can work with their doctors to get the health care they need in the majority of situations. 

Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing Written Testimony:

Polling:

  • The truth is, most Granite Staters and most Americans support access to safe, legal abortion. If someone has decided to have an abortion, more than 8 in 10 respondents want the experience to be supportive and nonjudgmental, without added burdens or protesters, affordable and safe. 

Additional Legislation:

  • HB 1674, the House version of the Access to Abortion-care Act, wil be heard next Thursday, February 10 at 10 a.m.

Supreme Court:

  • Two U.S. Supreme Court cases could overturn Roe v. Wade, jeopardizing abortion access in our country. By next year, 26 states could lose abortion access, impacting 36 million - or nearly half of U.S. women of reproductive age (18-49) and more people who  can become pregnant. 

    • The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Texas’ SB 8 on November 1, 2021, although not about the constitutionality of the law. SB 8 is a 6-week abortion ban, which is currently in place. Abortion remains virtually inaccessible in Texas. 

    • The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization on December 1, 2021, which marks the first time in 50 years the Court agreed to hear a case on the constitutionality of a pre-viability abortion ban.

    • There are 16 additional abortion-related cases one step away from the Supreme Court.

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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 6 health centers in Claremont, 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. 

This page is controlled and operated by Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund.

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