Across the country, we continue to see the harmful impact of states doubling down on abortion and gender-affirming care bans. Here in Connecticut, our legislative champions and the Lamont administration have been aggressive in protecting our health and rights and they aren’t backing down. Coming off another successful legislative session in 2023 we are gearing up for the 2024 session energized to continue the work to protect and expand access to essential sexual and reproductive health care.
Investing in Reproductive Health Care Providers and Making Health Care Affordable and Accessible for All
As our state continues to be a leader in advancing reproductive freedom we must continue to invest in solutions that increase access to abortion and pregnancy-related care, and invest in the infrastructure and long term sustainability of abortion care providers. This includes increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates to support reproductive health care providers like Planned Parenthood.
All people need and deserve equal access to affordable and comprehensive health care, including sexual and reproductive health care. Telehealth has been one option to ensure continued access to care for thousands of Planned Parenthood patients through the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to be an important option that must continue permanently in state law. We will also be working with advocates to support reforms to lower health care costs and protect consumers as more Connecticut residents are struggling to afford the health care they need.
Protect Health Care Providers and Patients
It’s imperative that we continue to protect patients access to the reproductive health care they need no matter where they are seeking medical care in our state including at religiously affiliated hospitals. We will work on legislation that would protect health care providers who offer medically accurate information and counseling to their patients and provide needed health care in line with the accepted standard of care for their patients facing pregnancy complications. We must ensure that heath care providers do not face disciplinary action for providing quality care and accurate information to their patients even if the health care institution has a religious or conscience refusal policy.
Expanding Fertility Care Coverage
As a reproductive health and rights advocate our work must be inclusive to ensure people have access not only to abortion and contraception care but also access to pregnancy care and equitable access to infertility evaluation, treatment, and care. For many people they require fertility assistance to have children yet it’s often out of reach due to the cost of such health care. Eliminating barriers to fertility care coverage including expanding it to public health insurance and by making it inclusive of all families, requiring insurance coverage for LGBTQ+ and single individuals who need medical care to build their families as well as people who are diagnosed infertile. All people deserve to have the freedom and power to build their own families. Learn more about the Fertility Access CT (FACT) campaign to improve our state fertility law.
Increasing Access to Health Care Coverage and Doula Care
Health care is a fundamental human right that should be guaranteed to all people in our state. As proud partners to the HUSKY for Immigrants campaign we continue to advocate for health care coverage through Medicaid (HUSKY) for undocumented immigrants in our state and build on the successes of the past several sessions to continue investing more in health care coverage for all regardless of immigration status.
Improving maternal health and birth outcomes is part of the work to advance reproductive freedom. Supporting the work of Doulas for Connecticut coalition we are advocating for expanding access to Doula care and an equitable reimbursement for Doulas in both private and public insurance.
We will also be working in coalition to address health care access and regulations within the Department of Corrections to ensure that everyone has access to the reproductive health care and gender-affirming health care they need.
Building a more equitable Connecticut
Our movement is intersectional – achieving reproductive freedom requires policies that advance racial and social justice, eliminate health care disparities, and build a more equitable state. In 2024, we support our partners who are leading the work to:
- Advance economic justice by improving Connecticut’s paid sick days laws, passing fair work week and one fair wage legislation, and building equity into our state’s current tax structure
- Expand access to voting and improve housing, immigration and LGBTQ+ rights
- Work towards improving the rights of sexual assault survivors and addressing sexual violence and domestic violence.
We can’t do this without you! Make sure you receive our action alerts to get the information you need to join the fight and take action! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram to stay up to date throughout the session and join in the conversation!
Tags: advocacy, legislative priorities