With states minimizing contraceptive care, releasing bans on abortion and reproductive care, and emerging pressures against Roe v. Wade, women’s reproductive rights are endangered.
For the past few months, Gov. Phil Murphy has been working to protect reproductive freedom in New Jersey. On Jan 13, the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act (S49/A6260) was passed. Gov. Murphy, alongside Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, former Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, Senate President Nicholas Scutari, former Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, and Alexis McGill Johnson, President of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, signed this historic legislation, alongside other legislative sponsors and advocates, codifying the right to choose into state law and expanding coverage. In addition, Gov. Murphy signed bill number S413/A4698, expanding requirements on contraceptive coverage for private health insurers and Medicaid programs from a 6-month to a 12- month supply.
Without these laws in place to protect reproductive freedoms, New Jersey was at risk of losing the right to reproductive choice if Roe vs. Wade was overturned.
“In New Jersey, we trust each individual person to make their reproductive choices for themselves,” Gov. Murphy said in a recent statement. “With Roe v. Wade under attack, today’s historic legislation makes clear that New Jersey’s position in supporting the right to reproductive choice remains protected. Together, with expanding contraception coverage, these two pieces of legislation serve to meaningfully and tangibly increase access to reproductive health care, and ensure that New Jersey residents are now, and will remain, in control of their reproductive choices.”
New Jersey’s Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver released the following statement: “Reproductive health and the ability for women to make medical decisions about their own bodies are fundamental rights that should never be taken away. Today, we are codifying those rights into law in New Jersey. I want to thank the legislators who have championed this bill and Governor Murphy for signing it into law. Women’s rights are human rights and will always be respected and protected in New Jersey.”
The president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Alexis Johnson, added to the support:
Further information about bills S49/A6260 and S413/A469 can be found from the NJ Department of Health and LegiScan.
