News & Updates
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Repro Equity Now Statement After Trump Administration Cuts Millions in Title X Funding for Planned Parenthood Clinics
Today, Rebecca Hart Holder, President of Reproductive Equity Now, released the following statement after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) formally announced that it will be freezing Title X funding for thirteen Planned Parenthood affiliates, citing their refusal to end Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices. Title X funding provides access to critical preventative care like low-cost/free birth control, cancer screenings, and STI testing and treatment. According to Physicians for Reproductive Health, in 2022, through Title X funds, providers at sexual and reproductive health care clinics across the country were able to serve 2.6 million family planning patients. Title X funds cannot be used for abortion care.
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 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.
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.
Yale Daily News | Connecticut expands contraception access through pharmacists
“For students who don’t have easy access to off-campus transportation or for whom cost is a barrier, these vending machines are life-changing,” Liz Gustafson, Connecticut state director of Reproductive Equity Now wrote in an email to the News.
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.
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.
Governor Lamont Announces New Programs That Are Expanding Access to Contraception in Connecticut
“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.
As Trump Admin Prepares to Bolster Religious Refusal Laws, Reproductive Equity Now Urges CT to Protect Providers Offering Health Care Information, Emergency Abortion
On Monday, the Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Dr. Dorothy Fink released a statement announcing that the Department will be reevaluating its regulations and guidance pertaining to federal laws on conscience and religious exercise. These laws, which advocates expect the Trump administration to prioritize and bolster, have been used to deny patients basic reproductive health care services, including abortion. In response, Reproductive Equity Now Connecticut State Director Liz Gustafson released the following statement.
The Day | New London rally speakers encourage crowd to create a 'firewall' against Trump plans
“We’re just two days out from Trump and his reality-tv appointed cabinet,” Gustafson said, urging the state to create a “firewall” of opposition. “And their plans can be summed up by ‘regression.’ We need every single person in this fight.”
Reproductive Equity Now Statement on New CT Regulations To Expand Access to Contraception
“By eliminating a multi-step process to acquire hormonal or emergency contraception 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,” said Liz Gustafson, Connecticut State Director of Reproductive Equity Now.
Jezebel | Dr. Oz, Who Thinks All Abortion Is ‘Murder,’ Could Now Have Power Over Abortion Access
Rebecca Hart Holder, president of Reproductive Equity Now, told Jezebel the risks Oz poses at CMS expand beyond abortion to the full range of reproductive care. “By putting an anti-abortion, anti-woman TV doctor in charge of [CMS], Trump is directly threatening access to contraceptive care guaranteed under the Affordable Care Act,” she said. Holder warned that Oz’s nomination jeopardizes “our nation’s worsening maternal health crisis, and he is threatening reproductive health care services for low-income people across our country.”
Reproductive Equity Now Statement on the Potential Nomination of D. John Sauer to Serve as Solicitor General
Following the news that President-elect Donald Trump intends to nominate D. John Sauer to serve as the Solicitor General of the United States, Rebecca Hart Holder, President of Reproductive Equity Now, released the following statement.
Reproductive Equity Now Statement on Trump’s Expected Nomination of Dr. Mehmet Oz to Serve as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Following the news that President-elect Donald Trump intends to nominate Dr. Mehmet Oz as the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Rebecca Hart Holder, President of Reproductive Equity Now, released the following statement.
CT Insider | Connecticut launches free abortion legal hotline in response to Trump election
"This hotline will be a lifeline in a second hostile Trump administration…the fight to defend abortion access is local. It is based here in our states and our communities, and information is power," Hart Holder said. "To put information in the hands of patients and providers is to fight back. People will always need abortions, and it is up to all of us to ensure that they can continue to get the care that they deserve. Connecticut has time and again stepped up and proven itself to be a place that will meet the moment and now is no different."
Reproductive Equity Now Statement on Trump’s Expected Nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services
Following the news that President-elect Donald Trump intends to nominate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Rebecca Hart Holder, President of Reproductive Equity Now, released the following statement.
WSHU | On heels of Trump reelection, CT launches 24/7 abortion care hotline
“Right now, patients need our support. Providers need our guidance,” said Rebecca Hart Holder, president of Reproductive Equity Now Foundation, one of the groups that has partnered with Connecticut on the hotline.