The Quickie: Abortion Bans with Exceptions Are Just Abortion Bans
For Immediate Release: Dec. 14, 2022
Welcome to “The Quickie” — Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s daily tipsheet on the top health care & reproductive rights stories of the day. You can read “The Quickie'' online here.
In today’s Quickie: abortion bans with exceptions are just as harmful as those without, Vermont governor signs reproductive liberty amendment, and PP celebrates the fourth annual Invencibles Awards!
ABORTION BANS WITH EXCEPTIONS ARE JUST THAT: ABORTION BANS: In a new op-ed for Ms. Magazine, Elizabeth Nash of the Guttmacher Institute breaks down the dangerous misconceptions surrounding exceptions in abortion bans, which are often used as “PR tools” by anti-abortion activists to make bans seems less extreme. As Nash explains, exceptions for rape, incest, or life of the pregnant person are often designed to be difficult if not impossible to use.
For example, exceptions for the life of the pregnant person create the illusion that life-saving health care can still be accessed. However, medical professionals around the country have argued that these exceptions use vague, non-medical language that make them extremely difficult to comply with. Exceptions for pregnancy due to rape or incest also create often insurmountable hurdles, such as requiring that survivors report their assault to law enforcement, which many do not do and can often be traumatizing for those who do.
Ultimately, focusing on exceptions in abortion bans creates what Nash describes as a “false hierarchy of who is deserving of care.” Our goal should be for anyone who needs an abortion to have the right to accessible care without regard for the circumstances that motivated the decision.
Read more at Ms. Magazine.
VERMONT GOV. SIGNS REPRODUCTIVE LIBERTY AMENDMENT: On Tuesday, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott formally amended the state constitution to enshrined the right to abortion. Last month, Vermonters approved the Reproductive Liberty Amendment (RLA), which protects the full spectrum of reproductive health care, including abortion and contraception, and ensures that important, personal health care decisions remain between patients and their doctors, not politicians. The RLA passed by 50 points, with 77% of the vote, and was supported by every county in the state.
Read more from the AP.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD CELEBRATES FOURTH ANNUAL INVENCIBLES AWARDS: In recognition of Latino community leaders’ contributions to reproductive health, rights, and justice, earlier this month, Planned Parenthood Federation of America presented the fourth annual Invencibles (“Invincibles”) awards to community leaders, national and international organizations, and members of Congress who fight to expand access to sexual and reproductive health care in Latino communities.
“Invencibles award recipients are paving the way for more Latino leadership across the country, helping Planned Parenthood ensure health care services to patients, breaking stigma by sharing personal stories and normalizing the lived experiences of diverse communities, and building coalitions across the Americas. All awardees play a part in making this movement happen. ¡Felicitaciones!,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
The winners of this year’s Planned Parenthood Federation of America Invencibles awards are:
- Promotor of the Year Invencible Award: Silvia Rico-Silva, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles (PPLA)
- Raíz Defender of the Year Invencible Award: Gabriela Estala-López, Raíz Campaign Organizing Specialist, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains (PPRM)
- Planned Parenthood Generation Chapter Leader of the Year Invencible Award: Myka Martínez, University of New Mexico Chapter
- Allied Organization of the Year Invencible Award
- Somos Valentía Invencible Award: UNASSE and Las Libres for Proyecto Fronteras Solidarias
- Defender of Reproductive Health Invencible Award: Sen. Alex Padilla
Alexis McGill Johnson, PPFA; Sen. Alex Padilla; Silvia Rico-Silva, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles; Celinda Vázquez, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles
Tania Rosario Méndez, Taller Salud; Zipatly Mendoza, PPFA; Lourdes Inoa, Taller Salud; Melodía Gutiérrez, PPFA
Read more at El Tiempo Latino.