Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island Commends Gov. McKee for Executive Action to Protect Abortion Patients and Providers — But More Action is Needed
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For Immediate Release: July 6, 2022
PROVIDENCE, RI— Yesterday, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee took executive action, establishing protections for people seeking or providing reproductive health care in Rhode Island.
Twelve days after the harrowing SCOTUS decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, Gov. McKee's action is a step in the right direction to protect abortion in Rhode Island. However, over 300,000 Rhode Islanders still face barriers to accessing abortion care because of harmful laws preventing people enrolled in Medicaid and more than 17,000 state employees--and their dependents-- from using their insurance to cover abortion.
Statement from Gretchen Raffa, Vice President of Public Policy, Organizing, and Advocacy for PPV!RI:
We thank Governor McKee for taking executive action yesterday to offer protections to Rhode Island abortion providers and patients seeking reproductive health care, including abortion, in our state.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, stripping millions of their federal constitutional right to abortion, the fight for reproductive freedom now rests with the states. As radical, extreme abortion bans become more commonplace in our country, we need to know there are champions in our state who will fight to protect our health, our rights, and our freedoms. We applaud the Governor for taking swift action in response.
We know there is much more work to do in our state to ensure every Rhode Islander has equitable access to abortion. We must keep fighting. Here's the reality: too many people in Rhode Island can't exercise their right to abortion. Today, right now, state laws ban 1 in 3 residents from using their health insurance to cover abortion. Our legislators have the power to change it, but they haven't.
This is a big election year for our state. This is our chance to elect legislators and leaders who will do everything they can to protect our rights, our health, and our freedom—including finally passing the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act.