Since Roe v. Wade was overturned 10 months ago, Hadassah advocates have worked tirelessly to advance protections for choice on the federal and state levels.
After successfully fighting restrictive ballot measures that would have banned choice in Kansas and Kentucky and advancing measures to protect reproductive freedom in California, Michigan and Vermont on Election Day 2022, members continue to educate, advocate and mobilize their communities for choice in 2023.
At the federal level, the House and Senate have introduced the Women’s Health Protection Act (H.R. 12 / S. 701), which would enact critical federal protections for reproductive freedom. Hadassah members nationwide are making their voices heard in support of vital federal legislation to protect reproductive choice. Join Hadassah and urge legislators to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act and protect choice.
Hadassah spoke out against the recent Texas court ruling to repeal the approval of mifepristone, calling the decision an attack on American women and their right to healthcare, privacy and autonomy. The Supreme Court temporarily issued an order preserving the medication’s availability while they review the lower court’s ruling. Hadassah will continue to fight to protect the right to full and complete access to reproductive healthcare. Read Hadassah’s statement here.
As state legislative sessions move forward, Hadassah members are engaging to protect reproductive freedom in many ways. Learn more and search for your state below.
State Actions
Florida: Hadassah members have quickly mobilized against bills that would ban reproductive choice after six weeks — before many women even know they’re pregnant. The governor has signed the 6-week ban into law, which will take effect depending if Florida’s current 15-week ban is upheld in an ongoing Florida Supreme Court case. Hadassah members statewide will continue to advocate to protect reproductive freedom and fight restrictions on choice.
Illinois: Hadassah members are taking a stand against the Repeal Reproductive Health Act (HB1163), which would effectively restrict reproductive freedom to as early as six weeks, when fetal cardiac activity can be detected. Join Hadassah and urge Illinois lawmakers to vote against efforts to limit women’s reproductive freedom.
Kansas: Kansas Hadassah members were integral in the fight against a restrictive ballot measure in August that sought to limit reproductive choice. Now, Hadassah members are working to defeat SB 5, which prohibits prescribing abortion drugs. Tell Kansas legislators to stand up against this dangerous measure.
Maryland: Hadassah Greater Baltimore organized a virtual Repro Shabbat Havdalah and mobilized support for state reproductive choice bills, including the successful campaign to put choice protections on the Maryland ballot next year. Thank Maryland legislators for protecting reproductive freedom.
Michigan: Michigan legislators have passed a bill to repeal outdated restrictions on choice from 1931, which has now been signed by Michigan’s governor, and are deliberating on an additional bill to repeal restrictions from 1953. Thank Michigan lawmakers for passing HB4006 and urge them to pass HB4031.
Minnesota: In February, Minnesota’s governor signed the Protect Reproductive Options Act, which codifies reproductive choice in the state. Join Hadassah and thank Governor Walz for protecting reproductive freedom.
Missouri: Hadassah advocates are taking a stand against multiple bills that restrict women’s reproductive choice and threaten women’s health: SB491 and H461, which would classify the importation, exportation, production and prescription of any abortion medication as a felony; and SJR19, which is the first step to amending the Missouri Constitution to remove any protections for reproductive freedom. Join Hadassah advocates and urge Missouri lawmakers to stand against restrictions.
New Jersey: Hadassah members in New Jersey are advocating for initiatives that will advance protections for patients, providers and allies regardless of their home state. Thank your elected officials for passing S2633 and S2642 and urge them to pass additional measures to protect choice.
New York: Hadassah members in New York are celebrating the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment that will protect reproductive autonomy and access to care. Join Hadassah advocates in New York and urge legislators to pass additional measures to ensure access to reproductive care.
Washington: Elected officials in Washington are considering a vital first step to enshrining reproductive freedom rights in the state’s constitution. Ask legislators to pass HJR 4201 and SJR 8202 to advance adding protections for choice in Washington’s constitution.
Learn More. Get Involved.
Check out the Hadassah for Choice page and join Hadassah’s Choice Action List to learn more about how you can help advance reproductive freedom.
Thank you for your tireless efforts to advance protections for reproductive freedom! Together, we can change the world.