NIRH Congratulates Reproductive Equity Now on Passage of Historic Reproductive Health Care Bill in Massachusetts
Reproductive Health Care Package Championed by Reproductive Equity Now Was Signed into Law, Enshrining Protections for Reproductive Freedom and Gender-Affirming Care
On Friday, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed an abortion access bill into law to further protect access to reproductive health care services, thanks largely in part to the hard work of advocacy groups like Reproductive Equity Now, longtime partner and colleague organization. This law will have a major impact on abortion access in Massachusetts and lays a strong roadmap for other states to follow.
The bill will provide protections for abortion and gender-affirming care providers in Massachusetts and ensure access and coverage for reproductive health care for those seeking it. The new law requires that insurance covers abortion and abortion-related care and stipulates that public colleges and universities must provide medication abortion at campus health centers. Access to emergency contraception is also included in the bill, with a statutory fix to ensure over-the-counter emergency contraception can be sold in vending machines.
“This is a tremendous victory for people seeking abortion care, those seeking gender affirming care, and for the well-being of communities across Massachusetts,” Andrea Miller, President of the National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) and the NIRH Action Fund said. “This would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of advocates on the ground, including our longtime friends at Reproductive Equity Now. We send our heartiest congratulations to them and the other advocates across the state who helped make this law a reality.
“In the wake of the Supreme Court’s disastrous decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, we have urged state lawmakers across the country to take a stand and safeguard the right to abortion and expand access to this critical care. We are thrilled that Massachusetts has answered the call and taken critical steps to protect reproductive freedom, and we urge other states to follow suit.”
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The National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) is an advocacy group that works directly with state and local reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations to protect and advance equitable access to reproductive health care. Our strategy is to go on the offensive to pass laws that safeguard reproductive freedom. NIRH partners with communities to build coalitions, launch campaigns, and successfully advocate for policy change, so the fabric of reproductive freedom is harder to tear apart.