ICYMI: Extremist Lawmakers Double Down on Plans to Ban Abortion Nationwide as Patients and Providers Urge Politicians to Stay Out of Medical Decisions
WASHINGTON, DC –– This week, extremist lawmakers in Washington, DC laid bare their plans to ban medication abortion nationwide – even in states where it is legally protected. Medication abortion currently accounts for nearly two-thirds of abortions across the country, and, according to research from Reproductive Freedom for All, these attacks could eliminate care for 64.5 million people across the country.
On Tuesday, ahead of the Senate HELP Committee’s bogus hearing on the safety of medication abortion, Carrie Frail, a patient storyteller and advocate with Free & Just, joined physicians from across the country at a virtual press event to underscore the importance of protecting access to mifepristone.
“This is not a morality issue. It's a medical issue that involves personal privacy, body autonomy, and discussion between a woman and her doctor,” said Frail, an Air Force veteran who credits her abortion with allowing her to escape an abusive relationship. “I'm grateful that I was allowed to make that choice for myself. But I fear for my daughter and other young women who die as a result of these bans. I find it outrageous that a country will use women to protect its interests, and demand they swear an oath to defend the Constitution that no longer protects them as full citizens.”
On Wednesday, Free & Just brought a handful of patients who have relied on abortion care to Washington, DC to attend the Senate HELP hearing, share their stories, and connect with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Marissa “Sunni” Rudd, a single mother and popular content creator who speaks openly about her own experience accessing medication abortion, traveled from New York City to attend the hearing in Washington.
“I came here to push back on the lies being told about medication abortion. As a mom, I care about honesty and safety,” said Rudd, who educates her followers about reproductive health care. “It’s frustrating to watch lawmakers claim they’re protecting women while giving space to extreme voices that spread fear instead of facts. Women are being harmed by this misinformation, and we deserve better.”
During the hearing, a mobile billboard from Free & Just circled Capitol Hill, a reminder, Veronica Ingham, Managing Director of Free & Just, says of where Republicans’ priorities lie.
“This week, we learned of another tragic death under an abortion ban. Instead of preventing more women from dying preventable deaths, Republican lawmakers proved just how out of touch they are by wasting time with sham hearings and fighting amongst themselves about language and process. The data is clear: The vast majority of Americans support protecting abortion access and do not want to see our rights rolled back even further.”
If you are interested in connecting with patient advocates or learning more about how extremists are working to ban abortion nationwide, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us.
###
Free & Just is fighting to stop attacks on reproductive freedom and rights. We’re working with people across the country to share real stories to show the devastating consequences of attacks on our reproductive freedom. We all deserve the right to control our bodies and lives. That’s why we’re sharing our stories, raising our voices, and fighting for our future.