Amid Threat to Roe v. Wade, NIRH Applauds Connecticut For Protecting Abortion Access

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 6, 2022
MEDIA CONTACT: Olivia Lapeyrolerie, [email protected]

First-in-the-nation law will protect medical providers and patients seeking abortion care in Connecticut from other states 

NEW YORK – Amidst unprecedented threats to overturn Roe v. Wade, the National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) applauds Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont for taking bold action to protect abortion access in the Constitution State: 

“At this pivotal moment in the fight for the bodily autonomy of people across the country, we need to take action in every state we can to protect equitable access to abortion care,” said Andrea Miller, President of the National Institute for Reproductive Health. “We are grateful to the elected leaders in Connecticut for taking bold and swift actions to safeguard and expand the rights of both Connecticut residents and all who may need to travel there to access care, now and in the future.”

On Thursday, Governor Ned Lamont signed HB5414 into law. This first-in-the-nation law will protect medical providers and patients seeking abortion care in Connecticut who may be traveling from other states that have outlawed abortion. Additionally, the law will expand abortion access in Connecticut by expanding the type of practitioners who can provide abortion-related care. NIRH is grateful to Governor Lamont, Connecticut legislators, and state advocates and for their leadership in passing this bill. 

“State legislators and Governors across the country should follow Connecticut’s lead and do whatever can be done to expand access to abortion at this critical time,” said Miller. “And NIRH stands ready to help protect access to care.” 

NIRH has worked with partners such as Pro-Choice Connecticut, Health Equity Solutions, and the Hartford Women’s Center for several years to pass proactive legislation to protect reproductive freedom both in cities in Connecticut and at the state level. In previous years, this has resulted in legislation protecting Connecticut residents from the dangers of crisis pregnancy centers in Hartford and at the state level, and legislation to address racial disparities in health care. 

###

The National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) is an advocacy group that works directly with state and local reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations and allied groups to protect and advance access to reproductive healthcare. For more than 40 years, NIRH has been partnering with communities to build coalitions, launch campaigns, and successfully advocate for policy change. NIRH’s strategy is to go on the offensive and focus on communities where change is needed, so the fabric of reproductive freedom becomes harder to tear apart.