Planned Parenthood PA Advocates (PPPA) statement on passage of HB 1500 and HB 118
For Immediate Release: June 9, 2021 (Updated: June 9, 2021, 6 p.m.)
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania — This week, 2 anti-abortion bills were voted out of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives — HB 118, a Fetal Remains abortion ban, and HB 1500, a Down Syndrome abortion ban.
2021 has been a hostile year for sexual and reproductive rights across the country. Over 500 abortion restrictions have been introduced in 2021 and 69 restrictions have been enacted as of mid-May (Guttmacher, 2021).
“Let’s be clear: These bills are cruel and dangerous. HB 118 and HB 1500 are unconstitutional attempts to ban safe, legal abortion in Pennsylvania,” said Signe Espinoza, PPPA Interim Executive Director. “Shame on the Representatives that voted today to pass such heinous bills.”
At PPPA, we are committed to fighting against legislation that restricts access to sexual and reproductive health care. Like all anti-abortion legislation, this bill disproportionately affects people who already face barriers to care, including communities of color, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, young people, those with disabilities, people with low incomes, people who live in rural areas, and those that are undocumented.
While anti-abortion legislators waste taxpayer time and money on attacking abortion access, we know that Pennsylvanians support abortion access, and we want to see our elected officials expanding and protecting access to healthcare.
Gov. Tom Wolf has committed to vetoing any bill restricting abortion access has vetoed the Down syndrome ban in previous years.
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ABOUT PLANNED PARENTHOOD PENNSYLVANIA ADVOCATES
Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates (PPPA) exists to create a Pennsylvania where sexual and reproductive healthcare, including abortion, is accessible, affordable, and affirming for all. We achieve this, in partnership with the 3 Planned Parenthood affiliates in Pennsylvania, through electoral and advocacy campaigns, lobbying, and organizing.