One year after signing, Reproductive Health Equity Act more necessary than ever

One year after signing, Reproductive Health Equity Act more necessary than ever 

PORTLAND — With Donald Trump’s picks for the Supreme Court endangering Roe v. Wade like never before, Democrats and reproductive rights activists are celebrating the first anniversary of Governor Kate Brown signing HB 3391, otherwise known as the Reproductive Health Equity Act. The law enshrines the protections of Roe v. Wade into Oregon statute and guarantees reproductive health coverage.

“Amid constant attacks on women's reproductive rights coming from Washington, D.C., and from anti-abortion groups and politicians here in Oregon, Governor Brown's signature gave Oregon the most progressive reproductive health policy in the nation,” said Jeanne Atkins, Chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon. “One year later, I'm proud that we have such a committed women’s health champion in Governor Brown.”

Over the past two weeks, Governor Brown’s Republican opponent, Knute Buehler, has been desperately trying to cast himself as something he is not. Throughout his legislative career, he has voted against and taken positions against women’s reproductive rights and health care. Misleading ads ignore his vote against the Reproductive Health Equity Act and attempt to paint him as a champion for women’s rights.

“When this bill came the House floor in 2017, Rep. Knute Buehler had the opportunity to vote to protect a woman’s right to access safe, legal abortion. Instead, he voted no,” said Atkins. “With Donald Trump in office, it’s more important than ever that Oregon has a governor who will stand strong against the right-wing agenda. We have that governor in Kate Brown, a proven leader who has spent her entire career advocating for the rights of women and children.”

BACKGROUND:
 

Portland Monthly, 8/18/2017
“The newly signed Reproductive Health Equity Act guarantees copay-free legal abortion (and vasectomies) for all, among other provisions.”

Slate, 7/6/2017
“…the Oregon state legislature joined the ranks of states preparing for the worst by passing the Reproductive Health Equity Act. If signed by the very pro-woman Gov. Kate Brown, the bill will enshrine the right to abortion care in state law, a first for Oregon.”

The Washington Post, 8/15/2017
“Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) on Tuesday signed into law what advocates called the nation’s most progressive reproductive health policy, expanding access to abortion and birth control at a time when the Trump administration and other states are trying to restrict them.”

Vice, 8/16/2017
“Oregon Becomes the First State to Make Abortion Accessible to All Women”

Mother Jones, 7/10/2017
“At a time when reproductive rights are under siege at the federal level and in statehouses across the country, a handful of states are pushing back with legislation protecting access to reproductive health services. Oregon, already one of the least restrictive states when it comes to abortion access, added its name to that list last week with the passage of one of the most progressive pieces of reproductive health legislation in the country.”

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