Virginia Democrats, who control the state Legislature, are pushing a bill aimed at protecting access to widespread contraceptives, but they are understandably slow to do so in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade. He argues that this should not be considered as a matter of fact.
Similar bills establishing the right to obtain and use a detailed list of federally approved contraceptives, including oral medications, intrauterine devices, condoms, and the Plan B morning-after pill, have passed both the House and Senate. . . The Act also creates the right to sue for violations of its provisions.
“I think Mr. Roe’s ouster was the first step in an attack on reproductive health care,” said Sen. Ghazala Hashmi of Chesterfield, one of the bill’s sponsors.
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The court’s June 2022 majority opinion overturning the 1973 Roe decision said the decision applied only to abortion. But Hashmi cited another concurring opinion by conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, in which the court legalized same-sex marriage, repealed laws criminalizing gay sex, and allowed couples to use contraception. He said other precedents, such as establishing rights, “should be reconsidered.”
“I haven’t heard any other conservative justices disagree with him on this, so I think if he’s saying that, we should believe him,” Hashmi said. said.
The House bill’s sponsors, Hashmi of Newport News and Democratic Del. Shea Price, said it would help prevent not only family planning but also sexually transmitted diseases and diseases such as endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome. She emphasized the importance of contraceptives being available to help manage other medical conditions. .
State Sen.-elect Ghazala Hashmi addresses supporters at a Democratic victory party on November 5, 2019 in Richmond, Virginia. Mr. Hashmi is the sponsor of a bill focused on protecting reproductive health care. (AP Photo/Steve Herber, File)
Similar efforts are underway in other states across the country. As of October, 13 states had enacted some kind of legal protection for contraceptive rights, and more were pending, according to research by KFF, a nonprofit organization that researches health care issues.
In Congress, a bill guaranteeing the right to use contraceptives passed the House of Representatives in July 2022, but did not pass in the Senate.
Price’s bill received a few Republican votes on the House floor, but the legislation has largely moved along party lines. And it has drawn a backlash from religious and socially conservative groups, particularly over the lack of exemptions for health care workers who may have religious or moral objections to providing contraception. is chanting.
Jeff Caruso, executive director of the Virginia Catholic Conference, said the bill “aims to limit the conscience rights of health care providers.”
Other opponents expressed concern that the bill was written so broadly as to protect access to abortion pills.
Price pointed out that the bill defines contraception as “acts performed to prevent pregnancy,” which he said is unfounded. This definition also includes sterilization procedures.
“This is not a conversation about abortion,” she said during the committee hearing.
During debate on the Senate floor, Republican Sen. David Suterline of Roanoke, a former independent voter, said that while he supported the “spirit” of the bill, he didn’t want to create “affirmative legal rights.” He said he had concerns.
“I think we need to make sure we continue to expand coverage and access to contraceptives. I think abortion is a tragedy. The biggest thing we can do to reduce the likelihood of it happening is I think one of the things is making sure that contraceptives are available to people across this commonwealth,” he said.
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The measure is supported by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American College of Nurse-Midwives, organizations representing health care providers, as well as the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia and Planned Parenthood of Virginia.
The bill is almost certain to reach final passage in the coming weeks. But it’s unclear how Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin will act against them. Asked for comment, his press office said only that it considers all bills that reach its desk.
If Youngkin doesn’t sign the bill, “he’ll have to explain to Virginians why he doesn’t think birth control should be protected,” Hashmi said.
