49th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
(Hartford, CT) – State Representatives Jillian Gilchrest (D-West Hartford) and Matt Blumenthal (D-Stamford, Darien), Co-Chairs of the newly formed Reproductive Rights Caucus, hosted a press conference today in recognition of the 49th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, which legalizes abortion and protects a woman's right to choose how they wish to handle their reproductive health. Connecticut lawmakers and pro-choice advocates joined to recognize the significance of this ruling at a time where reproductive rights are in limbo across the United States.
“On what may be the last anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the question you must ask yourself is simple. Do you believe that a person should be free to make a decision about their health, their body, and their life? If you agree the answer is yes, then you need to get loud and get involved,” said Rep. Gilchrest. “We are moving into a new era in the fight for reproductive freedom. Keeping abortion legal is necessary, but legality alone is not and has never been enough. Women and pregnant people will only truly be free when they can access the abortion care they need, raise their families in safety, and live in thriving communities.”
“For almost 50 years, Roe has protected women’s fundamental right to choose whether or when to bear a child. It stands for a simple principle: there is no room for politicians between a woman — or any pregnant individual — and her doctor. More than two-thirds of Americans support it. American women have depended on it for their autonomy and to order their lives. Today, that right is under threat as never before. Connecticut has passed Roe into statute. But there is much more work to do to expand access to reproductive healthcare and protect our residents from other states’ extreme laws. There is no time to waste: we must act now,” said Rep. Blumenthal.
"Connecticut stands as an example for reproductive freedom. We have codified reproductive rights in our state constitution, but that does not mean our work is done," said House Speaker Matt Ritter. "We must continue to move forward and ensure that everyone has access to quality, affordable health care."
"For nearly 50 years, systemic racism, economic injustice, documentation status, and the criminalization of pregnancy outcomes have kept abortion access out of reach for people of color and those working to make ends meet. On this 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we recognize that access to abortion is not just about legality – it is about our dignity and humanity. In the face of unprecedented anti-abortion restrictions and the U.S. Supreme Court stacked against us, it is up to states like Connecticut to enact bold solutions that include racial, economic, and immigrant justice. All people deserve access to abortion when they need it, on the timeline they choose, and in the community they trust. Together, we must fight for a future where abortion isn’t just legal – it is decriminalized, accessible, affordable, and free of stigma and shame," said Liz Gustafson, Executive Director of Pro-Choice Connecticut.
“As the U.S. Supreme Court appears prepared to turn its back on Roe v. Wade, the threat to abortion rights is very real. People across the country could be forced to remain pregnant against their will, endangering their mental and physical health, their lives and futures, and their families’ lives and futures. Because of systemic racism, we know that those hurt first and worst by these attempts to force people to be pregnant are disproportionately Black and Latinx and those who are low-income. Here in Connecticut, our laws are strong, and we can do better. Regardless of what happens federally, Connecticut must be in solidarity with people harmed by other states’ abortion bans, as well as people here who still need access. It is not enough for Connecticut to be a firewall for legal abortion rights. Our state must also look at its own inequities and become a firewall for access to true reproductive freedom, including abortion care," said Jess Zaccagnino, Policy Counsel for the ACLU of Connecticut.
“We cannot just watch as the courts and politicians across the country strip away our reproductive rights – we must act. Connecticut has long led the fight for reproductive freedom in America, and we must honor that legacy by taking proactive measures to protect abortion access and dismantle barriers to sexual and reproductive health care," said Gretchen Raffa, Vice President, Public Policy, Advocacy, and Organizing at Planned Parenthood Votes! Connecticut.
"Although Connecticut has codified the right to abortion in state law, we know that residents still can’t access abortion care. We call on our champions this legislative session to make health care accessible and affordable for all people regardless of immigration status, eliminate medically unnecessary barriers to abortion, and give people the freedom to make their own health care decisions. Planned Parenthood won’t stop fighting to protect reproductive freedom for all people.”
Rep. Gilchrest and Rep. Blumenthal aim to push legislation forward in the 2022 session to expand access to abortion care, including all advanced practitioners trained in abortion be eligible to perform abortion care, abortion related care be covered under all health plans, telehealth be allowed for certain abortion-related care and Medicaid reimbursement rates be increased for family planning services. The representatives are also considering policies to protect persons and practitioners and anyone seeking abortion care in Connecticut.