In light of the US Supreme Court’s decision overturning the long-held precedent of Roe v. Wade, which ended federal protections for reproductive freedom, Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc., reaffirms its unwavering support for complete access to reproductive choice and health care. Hadassah also reaffirms its commitment to fight for protections for patients who seek reproductive health services, as well as for doctors, nurses, other health professionals and allies who provide those services or facilitate access to care.
Hadassah has and always will stand unequivocally for reproductive choice and empowering women with the knowledge to make critical health decisions for themselves and their families. Any interference with the doctor-patient relationship – preventing doctors from discussing women’s specific concerns, sharing expert medical guidance or providing necessary care – poses a serious threat to women’s health.
Restrictive policies at the state level can force women to undergo invasive medical procedures, put off potentially life-saving treatments and needlessly suffer physical and mental harm. Since federal protections were rescinded, at least 14 states have banned or severely restricted access to reproductive care – affecting nearly 30 million women of reproductive age – and other states are aiming to follow suit. As a consequence, women may have to travel at great personal expense to another state, often missing days of work and incurring childcare and uncovered medical expenses on top of the emotional turmoil caused by such an ordeal.
We all deserve agency over our own bodies and the autonomy to make reproductive health decisions based on medical guidance, our own values, and what we feel is best for our health, our families and our future.
Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, strongly urges:
- Policymakers at the local, state and federal levels to recognize reproductive choice as a fundamental women’s health issue and safeguard access to reproductive health services.
- Legislators at the local, state and federal levels to ensure that those traveling across state lines to seek reproductive health services, including abortion, are protected from legal and civil action in their home state.
- Policymakers at the local, state and federal levels to pass laws that protect providers of reproductive health services and allies from legal or civil action.
- Hadassah leaders and members to educate and mobilize their communities in the fight to ensure reproductive freedom for everyone, regardless of where they live.
Hadassah, a strong voice in bringing the women’s health perspective to the discussion around reproductive choice, has passed eight policy statements affirming the right to reproductive choice since 1981, most recently in 2022. Hadassah proudly joined an amicus brief calling for the continued protection of Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case. Members have attended marches and rallies and have hosted programs for their chapters and communities. They have joined forces with partner organizations, written to legislators, signed pledges and called voters to support reproductive choice on the ballot. We applaud our members and supporters who have and continue to mobilize in the fight for reproductive choice at the local, state and federal levels.