Women's Health Protection Act Introduced to Safeguard Access to Abortion Care

Strategic Insights -

The Women's Health Protection Act (WHPA) was introduced by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), along with Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and U.S. Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA), Lois Frankel (D-FL) and Veronica Escobar (D-TX), to guarantee equal access to abortion care nationwide. The bill's introduction comes as the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments in a case that directly threatens fifty years of precedent protecting access to abortion. With historic support, WHPA has 176 total co-sponsors in the House of Representatives and 48 total co-sponsors in the Senate.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Women's Health Protection Act (WHPA) aims to safeguard against anti-abortion laws like Mississippi's 15-week ban, which will be argued in front of the Supreme Court next year.
  • The bill guarantees a pregnant person's right to an abortion and the right of an abortion provider to deliver these abortion services, free from medically unnecessary restrictions.
  • WHPA would stop state-level attacks on abortion care, including nearly 500 restrictive laws that have made abortion access impossible or difficult in some areas.
  • The bill has 176 total co-sponsors in the House of Representatives and 48 total co-sponsors in the Senate, indicating historic support for the legislation.
  • Representative Pressley, Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus's Abortion Rights and Access Task Force, has been a leading advocate for comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion care.
  • The WHPA would ensure that abortion care is a reality for everyone, everywhere, and that patients and providers are protected from medically unnecessary restrictions.

Statistics:

  • Since 2011, nearly 500 restrictive laws have been introduced in states to limit access to abortion nationwide.
  • Four states have passed bans on abortion at six weeks of pregnancy, before many people even know they're pregnant.
  • The Supreme Court is set to consider a direct attack on Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that established abortion as a constitutional right.
  • 176 Representatives and 48 Senators have co-sponsored the Women's Health Protection Act, indicating widespread support for the legislation.

Sources:

  • [1] United States House of Representatives -- Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) (Bicameral federal legislation to guarantee equal access to abortion care)
  • [2] Bill Text (PDF) of the Women's Health Protection Act (WHPA)
  • [3] Press Conference Video
  • [4] Center for Reproductive Rights - Nancy Northup, President and CEO
  • [5] URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity - Danielle Hurd-Wilson, Interim Deputy Director of Field and Programs