DATE: January 24, 2023
CONTACT: Susannah Berlowe Binder, [email protected]
NIRH’s Partner Organization, AMPLIFY Georgia, Helped Secure Introduction of The Reproductive Freedom Act to Expand Access for Reproductive Health Care and Protect Abortion Providers
New York, New York – The National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) applauds longtime partner organization Amplify Georgia, Georgia legislative sponsors, State Senator Sally Harrell (SD40) and State Representative Shea Roberts (HD52), and other advocates on the ground for their hard work in getting the newly unveiled Reproductive Freedom Act introduced in the Georgia State Legislature today. On the heels of the would-be anniversary of Roe v. Wade, this new legislation is a recommitment to advocacy and meaningful action on the state level to protect and expand abortion access.
The proposed legislation would expand safe abortion access for people across the state of Georgia, shield them from prosecution, and allow more insurance plans to cover abortions and abortion-related care. This bill would also repeal medically unnecessary and harmful abortion restrictions, including repealing biased counseling and mandatory delays. Importantly, the Reproductive Freedom Act would protect providers from prosecution after providing abortions.
“We are delighted that the Georgia State Legislature has introduced the Reproductive Freedom Act, and we applaud the tremendous work of advocates on the ground – especially our friends at Amplify Georgia – for this hard-fought victory,” said Andrea Miller, President of the National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) and NIRH Action Fund. “NIRH has been a proud partner of Amplify Georgia since its inception, and we’re thrilled to continue supporting them in championing their vision for reproductive freedom in Georgia. Today is a huge step forward for abortion access in the Peach State, but the fight is far from over. We urge state lawmakers to swiftly move The Reproductive Freedom Act forward and encourage more state and local legislation to carry forth this momentum to shore up abortion access and protection – in Georgia and beyond.”
“For years before Roe fell, many Georgians did not have full access to their healthcare rights. So, we want not a return to the old status quo, but a new vision of reproductive freedom for all – without bias or barriers. From Atlanta to Albany, Brunswick to Blue Ridge, we all deserve that,” said Roula AbiSamra, State Campaigns Director for Amplify Georgia. “The Reproductive Freedom Act will help Georgians who want to decide for themselves when and how pregnancy and childbirth will be part of their lives.”
The bill introduced today is a testament to the importance of supporting advocacy groups committed to reproductive freedom on the state and local levels. In Georgia, putting these legal protections in place is an uphill climb, however, the introduction of this bill is a major step forward in creating equitable access to abortion. Introducing protections must continue to be a top priority for state and local legislatures. In the wake of the Supreme Court’s disastrous decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, NIRH has urged state lawmakers across the country to take a stand and safeguard the right to abortion and expand access to this critical care. With today’s introduction of the Reproductive Freedom Act, Georgia joins dozens of other states and localities across the country that have taken steps to protect reproductive freedom in the past nine months.
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The National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) is an advocacy group that works directly with state and local reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations to protect and advance equitable access to reproductive health care. Our strategy is to go on the offensive to pass laws that safeguard reproductive freedom. NIRH partners with communities to build coalitions, launch campaigns, and successfully advocate for policy change, so the fabric of reproductive freedom is harder to tear apart.