Reproductive Freedom

Today, a combination of Washington State Senate and House Democrats will hold a briefing on the Reproductive Parity Act (RPA) in coalition with women’s rights and civil liberties groups. The briefing is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Senate Hearing Room 1 at the Capitol.

WA – Today, Representative Eileen Cody (D-West Seattle) is introducing HB 2148, the Reproductive Parity Act (RPA), for public hearing in the State House Health Care and Wellness Committee in Olympia. First introduced in 2012, the RPA would hold insurance companies accountable to women by requiring that they cover abortion care if they cover maternity care. Despite public support and passing the House twice, the RPA has been blocked twice in the Senate. Now, with some insurance companies failing to cover abortion in their plans through the new State Health Benefit Exchange, the need to pass the RPA is urgent in order to protect women’s privacy and freedom to make the healthcare decisions that are right for them and their families.

New Certificate of Need review requirements are a step forward in holding merging hospitals accountable, but more changes are needed.

We welcome and commend today’s Attorney General Opinion 2013-No. 3, which reaffirms that hospitals supported by taxpayer dollars have important obligations under Washington law to maintain access to services for Washington’s residents.

Washington law recognizes the fundamental right of the people of Washington state to make personal decisions regarding birth control and abortion without interference by government officials.