Repro Roundup 05.09
This past Wednesday, Reproductive Equity Now took to the Connecticut State House for a Lobby Day to talk to lawmakers about ensuring access to birth control and pregnancy care for young people, expanding Connecticut’s shield law to protect telehealth providers, and working with Connecticut hospitals to take action in decreasing maternal health care disparities.
We were thrilled to join medical providers with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), as well as advocates from Planned Parenthood Southeastern New England (PPSNE), Planned Parenthood Votes! Connecticut, She Leads Justice, and the Hispanic Health Council.
Want to get involved in our next lobby day? Subscribe to stay up-to-date for opportunities with Repro Equity Now, and join the Abortion Access Advocates for more training on how to take action for reproductive equity!
On to this week’s headlines –
News from New England
→ ACT NOW: New Hampshire Legislators Are Trying to Restrict Young People’s Access to Birth Control
We’re disappointed to see that House Republicans in New Hampshire have inserted new language into a so-called “Parental Bill of Rights” that would prevent minors from accessing birth control without parental consent. This action once again breaks the New Hampshire GOP’s pledge to not change law when it comes to reproductive rights and health care access. We cannot legislate good family relationships – and legislation like this forces young people to involve their parents in personal decisions regardless of their situation, even in instances of abuse and neglect. Sign our petition TODAY to tell the New Hampshire Legislature AND Governor Ayotte: don’t restrict access to birth control!
→ New Hampshire Family Planning Program on the Chopping Block
The New Hampshire House of Representatives recently approved their budget proposal, and it fully eliminates the New Hampshire Family Planning Program. This program provides thousands of Granite Staters with no or low-cost birth control, STI testing and treatment, cancer screenings, referrals for prenatal care, and reproductive and sexual health education. Our New Hampshire State Director, Christina, testified before the Senate Finance Committee in support of the Family Planning Program, sharing her personal story about preventative health care and why these services are so important for Granite Staters to be able to access.
→ 100 Days of Harm: A Recap of the Early Days of the Second Trump Administration
Reproductive Equity Now joined leading disability, senior, immigration, and health advocates in holding a ‘100 Days of Harm’ press conference to draw clear attention to President Trump’s inhumane actions through his first 100 days in office. Advocates highlighted how Massachusetts must stand up to protect our residents. We’re grateful to our partners in action at the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition, Health Care For All (HCFA), the Massachusetts Senior Action Council (MSAC), and the Disability Policy Consortium (DPC) for organizing this event and being partners in this fight. Catch a clip of some remarks from our Senior Director of Policy and Programs, Claire, and see our statement on Trump’s first 100 days in office here.
→ Making Pregnancy Care More Affordable in Massachusetts
Last week, our Massachusetts State Director Lyv testified before the MA Legislature’s Joint Committee on Financial Services on the Full Spectrum Pregnancy Care Act, legislation that will ensure all Bay Staters have access to the full spectrum of pregnancy care without burdensome co-pays or exorbitant costs. Pregnancy care should be affordable and accessible for all Bay Staters, and no one should have to make decisions around family planning based on whether or not they can afford pregnancy and birth care.
National Notice
→ Trump’s Next Step in Attacking Mifepristone Access
The Trump Administration is reportedly moving to dismiss the lawsuit attacking the FDA’s approval of mifepristone—however, we know this is only the next step in their plan to restrict access to the essential drug. We agree with leading reproductive justice scholars who are suspicious of this move and see this as a sign that the Trump Administration has more aggressive actions on mifepristone planned in the coming months—especially because a right-wing thinktank just released a totally bogus, junk-science study attacking the safety of the drug. This move comes days after Senator Josh Hawley sent a letter to the FDA Commissioner, Dr. Marty Makary, asking him to restrict access to mifepristone on the basis of that bogus study, and after the Senator introduced legislation to ban the mailing of mifepristone.
→ Celebrating International Day of the Midwife
This past week, we celebrated International Day of the Midwife, which honors the lifesaving work midwives do around the globe. Unfortunately, this year’s celebration is marred by Trump’s moves to curtail funding that supports global midwifery in countries with high maternal mortality rates. Because of these cuts, midwives around the globe are cut off from resources they need to support healthy births, leaving millions of women without access to safe birth care. A reminder: midwives are essential — to our health care system, to safe and compassionate birth experiences, and to advancing reproductive justice. They provide expert, person-centered care, especially in communities that have been historically underserved. Investing in midwives means investing in healthier outcomes for birthing people, babies, and families.
Get Involved!
📍ANYWHERE! Purchase tickets for Reproductive Equity Now’s 2025 Gala!
Reproductive Equity Now will be hosting our 2025 Gala on May 15th at the InterContinental in Boston, and we would be thrilled to have you join us! Purchase tickets TODAY at this link, and learn more about sponsorship opportunities here. And hurry.... ticket sales close MONDAY!
📍ANYWHERE! Join the Abortion Access Advocates!
Abortion Access Advocates is a growing volunteer resource program designed to support you as abortion and reproductive equity advocates. At our AAA trainings, we gather virtually with fellow advocates, get to know each other, and dig into a new topic each month. Next Monday, May 12th at 7pm, we will hear from faith leaders on the role faith plays in the reproductive justice movement! Sign up today.
Our Resources
Need to understand your legal rights to provide or access abortion care? Reproductive Equity Now’s Abortion Legal Hotline will help connect Massachusetts and Connecticut-based health care providers and helpers, as well as patients obtaining care in Connecticut or Massachusetts, with free legal advice and resources about abortion access. This resource is now available in Spanish.
Looking for an abortion provider in your area? Our New England Abortion Care Guide allows you to search by zip code for legitimate abortion clinics near you. It even flags dangerous and deceptive anti-abortion centers to avoid at all costs. This resource is now available in Spanish.
Want to learn more about how to combat anti-abortion centers in your community? Check out Reproductive Equity Now’s guidebook on anti-abortion centers to understand how anti-abortion centers often use deceptive practices to target patients seeking abortion care, and get the tools you need to avoid them.
Thank you so much for powering this fight. We’re grateful to have you in the movement with us.
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