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Bay State Birth Coalition Statement After Formal Legislative Session Concludes Without Action on Maternal Health Package
The Bay State Birth Coalition, a coalition of more than 20 partner organizations, released the following statement today after the Massachusetts Legislature was not able to conference a comprehensive maternal health package in the final hours of the 2023-24 formal legislative session. The life-saving birthing justice bill, which creates a pathway to licensure for Certified Professional Midwives and revises regulations governing the creation of free-standing birth centers in the state, unanimously passed the House in June and the Senate earlier this week.
Bay State Birth Coalition Celebrates Senate Passage of Comprehensive Maternal Health Bill
Members of the Bay State Birth Coalition, a coalition of more than 20 partner organizations, released the following joint statement today after the Massachusetts Senate passed a comprehensive maternal health package to address the worsening maternal health crisis in the state. The legislation includes provisions to create a pathway to licensure for Certified Professional Midwives, reimburse Certified Nurse Midwives equitably, and to instruct the Department of Public Health to update and revise the regulations that govern freestanding birth centers in the state.
Reproductive Equity Now Announces First Slate of Endorsed Candidates for State Legislature in Massachusetts
“The stakes have never been higher for abortion access and reproductive equity, and these candidates are prepared to meet the post-Dobbs moment,” said Rebecca Hart Holder, President of Reproductive Equity Now. “The right to abortion, contraception, IVF, and all forms of reproductive health care are facing existential threats on the national stage. State legislatures have the opportunity to act as a firewall, protecting the reproductive freedom of their constituents through comprehensive, proactive legislation and budgeting. Not only can our leaders on Beacon Hill ensure that Bay Staters retain their right to reproductive health care, but what our leaders do in Massachusetts has a ripple effect on the abortion landscape nationwide. Reproductive Equity Now is proud to endorse this impressive slate of candidates who are ready to fight for reproductive equity and ensure that Massachusetts remains a beacon for abortion access in our post-Roe world.”
The Boston Globe | Trump’s running mate thinks even less of women than he does
“Every single person in America who believes in gender equity should be having nightmares about JD Vance,” said Rebecca Hart Holder, head of Reproductive Equity Now. “This pick shines a bright light on the Republican Party’s true goal for America, and that is to make women subservient to men.”
Reproductive Equity Now Publishes New Hampshire Repro Voter Guide
“New Hampshire has a long history of standing up for reproductive freedom. But following recent attacks on abortion access and reproductive health care from a small group of New Hampshire executive and legislative leaders, there is work to do to protect and advance reproductive equity in the Granite State,” said Christina Warriner, New Hampshire State Director of Reproductive Equity Now.
NBC 10 | Bill protecting location data related to reproductive and gender-affirming care clears Mass. House 159-0
"In the two years post-Dobbs, hostile actors have targeted the location data of patients and providers in all 50 states, and now, we are increasingly concerned that this data will be weaponized against those seeking and providing care in Massachusetts," Rebecca Hart Holder, president of the Reproductive Equity Now group, said Tuesday. "Today the House is making an important statement that we will not let that stand in our Commonwealth. We are proud that the House understands that abortion patients are not fully protected until their digital footprint is protected, too."
MassLive.Com | Mass. House Dems propose data ‘shield’ around reproductive care
Rebecca Hart Holder, president of the advocacy group Reproductive Equity Now, credited the Legislature for “continually recogniz[ing] the evolving threat to abortion patients and providers and has aggressively expanded access and protected care since the fall of [Roe v. Wade].
Since the high court’s ruling toppling Roe, “hostile actors have targeted the location data of patients and providers in all 50 states, and now, we are increasingly concerned that this data will be weaponized against those seeking and providing care in Massachusetts,” Hart Holder continued.
Reproductive Advocacy Groups Applaud House Effort to Protect Sensitive Location Data
Rebecca Hart Holder, President of Reproductive Equity Now: “The Massachusetts Legislature has continually recognized the evolving threat to abortion patients and providers and has aggressively expanded access and protected care since the fall of Roe. In the two years post-Dobbs, hostile actors have targeted the location data of patients and providers in all 50 states, and now, we are increasingly concerned that this data will be weaponized against those seeking and providing care in Massachusetts.
Hartford Courant | As abortion access wanes nationwide, so does sense of urgency, outrage in CT, advocates say
“Reproductive equity is on the ballot this election day and we are going to see people turn out in big numbers for candidates who run on abortion access,” Gustafson said.
Gustafson said abortion-rights advocates are emphasizing that even though Connecticut may be protected in state law, “there is more to do to ensure equitable access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care.”
“The battle for reproductive freedom and equity has not slowed down,” Gustafson said, adding that residents in the state feel and recognize the urgency of the moment.
Axios | Out-of-state abortions in Massachusetts double, but remain low
Rebecca Hart Holder, president of the Reproductive Equity Now coalition, says providers tell her group they're sending thousands of pills out of state.
The pills tend to go to patients who may not be able to afford to travel or who prefer to undergo treatment at home, Hart Holder says.
CT Insider | CT sees 150% increase in people coming from out of state for abortion care, officials say
On an interpersonal level, the abortion ban works to criminalize and further stigmatize the procedure and abortion medication more than it already is, said Liz Gustafson, the Connecticut state director of Reproductive Equity Now.
When she had her abortion, her friend was concerned about her well-being when she couldn't reach Gustafson the following day and the police showed up for a wellness check, she said. Even now, Gustafson said she still feels the internalized shame and stigma of having an abortion.
CT Insider | Opinion: We will not stop protecting abortion in CT
By Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and Liz Gustafson: Two years ago this month, our nation’s highest court decided in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health, overturning the federal right to abortion. Since then, we’ve watched continued, coordinated extremist attacks on reproductive freedom in courtrooms and legislatures, and on ballots across the country.
Connecticut Public Radio | As abortion care providers see greater demand, CT's Blumenthal proposes legislation to boost funding
An estimated 171,000 patients in the U.S. traveled across state lines since the Dobbs decision to access abortion care “if they can afford to travel at all,” said Liz Gustafson, state director at Reproductive Equity Now.
She said federal funds are needed to meet the demand.
State House News Service | Healey: SCOTUS Ruling Leaves Pregnant Women In "Limbo"
Rebecca Hart Holder, president of advocacy organization Reproductive Equity Now, said the fight over emergency abortion care is “not over,” as she urged voters to elect “reproductive equity champions” this November.
“We know litigation in this case will continue in the coming months, and we would not be surprised to see this question before the Supreme Court again,” Hart Holder said. “It’s hard to celebrate this temporary relief because the question before the Court is so outrageous, insulting, and terrifying in the first place.”
Reproductive Equity Now Statement After U.S. Supreme Court Dismisses EMTALA Abortion Case Without Ruling on Merits
“I want to be clear: this fight is not over. We know litigation in this case will continue in the coming months, and we would not be surprised to see this question before the Supreme Court again. It’s hard to celebrate this temporary relief because the question before the Court is so outrageous, insulting, and terrifying in the first place,” said Rebecca Hart Holder, President of Reproductive Equity Now.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette | 'Beacon' for reproductive rights: Gov. Maura Healey acts to ensure access to abortion in Mass.
“The Supreme Court is to decide whether people with pregnancy complications should be allowed to live,” said Rebecca Hart Holden, president of Reproductive Equity Now.
WWLP | Governor signs executive order protecting access to emergency abortions
“This executive order will continue to make Massachusetts a beacon for reproductive healthcare in a post-Roe world, no matter what the U.S. Supreme Court does. This executive order will save lives,” says President of Reproductive Equity Now Rebecca Hart Holder.
On Two-Year Anniversary of Dobbs, Governor Healey Signs Executive Order Protecting Access to Emergency Abortion Care
Rebecca Hart Holder, President, Reproductive Equity Now: “Two years after Dobbs, anti-abortion extremists have not slowed their crusade to put politicians in exam rooms, stand in the way of emergency medical care, and ban abortion in any and all circumstances, no matter the consequences to patients’ health. The anti-abortion movement is putting their cruelty on full display. But here in Massachusetts, we’re not going to let it stand.
