News & Updates
Media Inquiries
If you’re a member of the media and looking to speak with an expert at Reproductive Equity Now, contact our press team at press@reproequitynow.org!
If you have a general question or comment, please email info@reproequitynow.org.
CT Mirror | Abortion providers need appreciation, protection, support
An op-ed co-authored by Connecticut State Director Liz Gustafson.
“On March 10 we recognized Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, a day to celebrate the bravery, compassion, and resilience of those who provide abortion care. While recognition is important, it is not enough. If we truly value these essential health care providers, we must fight to protect them.”
Reproductive Equity Now Statement Ahead of Connecticut Public Hearing on Protecting Emergency Access to Abortion Care
Reproductive Equity Now’s Connecticut State Director Liz Gustafson released the following statement ahead of today’s public hearing in the Public Health Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly on S.B. 7, legislation that would secure, at the state level, protections enumerated in the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), such as emergency abortion care. This legislation would also ensure Connecticut protects patients' ability to access emergency abortion care regardless of whether or not EMTALA is weakened by the federal government, and protects providers in Connecticut at all health care institutions who share information with patients or refer them for sexual and reproductive health care without fear of discipline from their employer.
Reproductive Equity Now Statement Ahead of Public Hearing on Bolstering Connecticut’s “Shield Law”
HARTFORD (March 24, 2025) – Reproductive Equity Now’s Connecticut State Director Liz Gustafson released the following statement ahead of today’s public hearing in the Judiciary Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly on H.B. 7135, legislation that would strengthen Connecticut’s first-in-the-nation “shield law” to further protect abortion and gender-affirming care providers, including those who utilize telemedicine.
New Hampshire House Fails to Pass Resolution Affirming Abortion As Basic Health Care
During today’s New Hampshire House Session, members of the House Majority voted to table HCR 7, a resolution that would affirm Granite Staters’ right to access abortion care prior to 24 weeks.
Union Leader | ICYMI: NH Lawmakers Publish Op-Ed Calling on Legislature to Affirm Abortion As Basic Health Care
New Hampshire State Senator Debra Altschiller (D-Stratham) and State Representative Mary Hakken-Phillips (D-Hanover) co-authored an op-ed published in the New Hampshire Union Leader, titled “Abortion Is Basic Health Care,” urging the New Hampshire Legislature to affirm Granite Staters’ right to abortion care. This op-ed was drafted in partnership with Reproductive Equity Now, a reproductive rights organization working across New Hampshire and New England to make equitable access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care a reality for all people. Read more HERE or below.
Lawmakers Advocate for New Hampshire Legislation Affirming Right to Abortion in Senate Public Hearing
Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee hosted a public hearing for SB 260, legislation introduced by Senator Debra Altschiller, that would codify the right to abortion prior to 24 weeks gestation in New Hampshire state law. A copy of the bill can be found HERE.
Reproductive Equity Now Reacts to Trump Administration Dropping Idaho EMTALA Lawsuit
Reproductive Equity Now released the following statement on Bluesky today after President Donald Trump announced that his administration is dropping the Biden administration's 2024 lawsuit against the state of Idaho, which challenged the state’s abortion ban because it violated the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). EMTALA is the federal law that requires hospital emergency rooms to provide life-saving and stabilizing care, including abortions.
NEW POLL: Reproductive Equity Now Foundation Finds Support for Expanding Abortion Access Throughout Pregnancy Among Bay Staters
The Reproductive Equity Now Foundation today unveiled new polling showing that two in three (66%) Massachusetts voters support expanding abortion access throughout pregnancy based on the professional judgment of a licensed physician. The poll affirmed Bay Staters’ support for keeping health care decisions between patients and their doctors.
Advocates for LGBTQ+ Freedom Statements on Proposed Healthcare Bans for Trans Young People
Today, the New Hampshire House Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs Committee heard two bills that would ban medically necessary, life-saving care that transgender young people need.
Reproductive Equity Now Statement on Committee Passage of Connecticut Constitutional Amendment To Strengthen Gender Equity Protections
Today, Liz Gustafson, Connecticut State Director for Reproductive Equity Now, released the following statement after the Connecticut Government Administration and Elections (GAE) Committee voted to pass S.J. 35 out of committee. S.J. 35 would enshrine explicit protections within Connecticut’s state constitution to protect reproductive freedoms and prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression.
New Hampshire Lawmakers Introduce Momnibus 2.0; Senate Committee Unanimously Recommends Passage
At today’s Senate Health and Human Services Committee public hearing for Momnibus 2.0 (SB 246), legislation that supports the health and well-being of pregnant and postpartum women, families, and maternal health providers, committee members unanimously voted in executive session to advance the legislation with an “Ought to Pass” recommendation. This major win comes directly after a group of bipartisan lawmakers, with support from a broad coalition of maternal health advocates, introduced the legislation at a press conference this morning.
Reproductive Equity Now Statement Ahead of Public Hearing on New Hampshire Resolution Affirming Right to Abortion
Reproductive Equity Now President Rebecca Hart Holder released the following statement today as the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee prepares to hold a hearing on HCR 7, a resolution that would affirm abortion as health care protected under state law.
Reproductive Equity Now Statement Ahead of Public Hearing on New Hampshire Resolution Affirming Right to Abortion
Reproductive Equity Now President Rebecca Hart Holder released the following statement today as the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee prepares to hold a hearing on HCR 7, a resolution that would affirm abortion as health care protected under state law.
Reproductive Equity Now Statement on Confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Lead Dept. of Health and Human Services
Today, the Senate voted (52-48) to confirm Donald Trump’s nominee, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Today’s confirmation comes after the Senate confirmed Pam Bondi as U.S. Attorney General and Russell Vought as Director of the Office of Management and Budget last week. These confirmations will severely threaten abortion access and all reproductive health care nationwide, reinforcing the importance of state governments in standing up against federal encroachment.
News 12 Connecticut | ‘I worry for myself.’ Hundreds debate adding abortion and LGBTQ rights to CT constitution
“The overturning of Roe has incited a public health, economic, social and racial justice crisis across the country,” said Liz Gustafson, the state director of Reproductive Equity Now.
New Hampshire House Votes to Withdraw 15-Week Abortion Ban
This morning, the New Hampshire House voted in favor of a motion to withdraw HB 476, a bill that would have banned abortion care in New Hampshire after 15 weeks. The motion to withdraw passed the House with an overwhelming majority of bipartisan support. This vote comes just one week after more than 12,000 Granite Staters registered their opposition to this bill in advance of its public hearing in the House Judiciary Committee.
GBH | Mass. lawmakers push for abortion without trimester limits
Claire Teylouni, Reproductive Equity Now’s senior director of policy and programs, estimates the change would impact “dozens” of Massachusetts residents each year — an infinitesimally small number compared to the roughly 18,000 abortions Massachusetts residents received here in 2023.
Hartford Courant | CT pharmacists can now prescribe birth control; Plan B in vending machine at UConn
“Access to contraceptives gives people the ability to control their own reproductive destinies and make personal decisions regarding if, when, or how to start their families,” Liz Gustafson, Connecticut state director of Reproductive Equity Now, said. “By eliminating the need for a visit to a healthcare provider to obtain a prescription for birth control and allowing people to receive the prescription directly from their local pharmacy, pharmacist prescribing will help increase access to contraception for those who face the greatest barriers to care.
Reproductive Equity Now Launches 2025 Connecticut Legislative Agenda
Reproductive Equity Now is today announcing its agenda for the 2025 Connecticut legislative session. The organization’s priorities are aimed at standing up to federal attacks on reproductive health care, expanding access to care for patients, and further protecting abortion and gender-affirming care providers.
Prism | Massachusetts sees sharp rise in out-of-state abortion patients as state bolsters provider protections
Taylor St. Germain, deputy director of Reproductive Equity Now, highlighted the state’s preparedness in an interview with Prism. “When the first Trump administration rolled around, we took proactive action to really make sure that we were codifying abortion in our state law to ensure that no matter what happens, with the fall of Roe, abortion remains legal here in our state,” St. Germain said. “So we passed the ROE Act in 2020, and this law codified the right to abortion care in Massachusetts.”