HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania State Representatives Lindsay Powell, Kristine C. Howard, Mary Jo Daley, and Melissa Shusterman joined Planned Parenthood PA advocates on April 7 in the Capitol Rotunda to advocate for strengthened reproductive rights amid increasing national restrictions.
“In this post-Roe era, the blurred lines between legality and restriction have dangerously entangled law, politics and human life,” said Powell, D-Allegheny. “Elected officials take an oath of office to defend the rights of the people, not strip them away for the sake of political agendas. This is a battle we cannot afford to lose.”
The rally highlighted legislative efforts to protect and expand access to reproductive healthcare. Howard, D-Chester, presented the Reproductive Freedom Act, which seeks to repeal Pennsylvania’s Abortion Control Act and replace it with what she described as a more rational framework. “My legislation…would eliminate this law and replace it with a much more perfect statutory scheme, a more rational and compassionate model positioning Pennsylvania as a leader in reproductive rights,” she said.
Daley, D-Montgomery, co-chair of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus, stressed the importance of safeguarding residents’ healthcare access. “By supporting these safeguards, we affirm our shared commitment to personal liberty, civil discourse and the protection of every Pennsylvanian’s right to seek care safely and freely,” she stated.
Shusterman, D-Chester, is championing several measures, including bills to codify federal emergency care protections for reproductive health and expand abortion coverage under Pennsylvania’s Health Insurance Exchange. Addressing lawmakers, she emphasized the importance of listening to women, saying, “Women are our future leaders, and we’re tired of sharing our private business.”
The rally showcased a unified effort to bolster reproductive freedoms, with participants calling for action to address restrictive laws and ensure Pennsylvanians can access essential healthcare without interference.
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