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Dr. Caitlin Gustafson Travels to DC to Highlight Dangers of Idaho Abortion Ban with Democratic Women’s Caucus and House Democrats for Women’s History Month
Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Local Patient Advocates Mark Would-Be Roe Anniversary, Warn of Coming Attacks on Reproductive Freedom
“Ride to Decide” Bus Tour Kickoff in Madison, Brings Together Religious Leaders, Health Care Providers, and Patient Advocates to Spotlight Harms of Abortion Bans
For Press Inquiries please reach out to Kelly@FreeandJust.us
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BREAKING: Senate Confirms Dr. Oz as Head of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Jeopardizing Millions of Americans’ Access to Care, Including Lifesaving Abortion Care
For Immediate Release
April 3, 2025
Contact: Kelly Rimar kelly@freeandjust.us
BREAKING: Senate Confirms Dr. Oz as Head of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Jeopardizing Millions of Americans’ Access to Care, Including Lifesaving Abortion Care
Abortion bans are killing women. President Trump just added another anti-abortion extremist to his cabinet.
WASHINGTON, DC –– Today, the Senate confirmed radical anti-abortion extremist Dr. Mehmet Oz to serve as administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), one of the largest federal agencies that administers health care to more than 160 million Americans. Dr. Oz’s confirmation puts millions of Americans at risk of losing access to health care, including lifesaving emergency care.
Nearly 17 million women of reproductive age receive health coverage through Medicaid, and more than 40% of births in the U.S. are covered by Medicaid. As CMS administrator, Dr. Oz can limit access to prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care, as well as access to birth control and other reproductive health care for women across the country.
As CMS administrator, Oz will also be responsible for overseeing investigations into alleged violations of federal law that requires hospitals to provide lifesaving emergency abortion care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).
Abortion bans are killing women across the country, and instead of pledging to protect access to lifesaving abortion care, Dr. Oz, who has claimed that ending a pregnancy at any stage is “murder,” confirmed in March that he remains in lock-step with the Trump administration, which is committed to banning abortion nationwide – even though it means more women will die.
Following his confirmation, Veronica Ingham, Senior Campaigns Director for Free & Just released the following statement:
“Dr. Oz is a radical extremist and celebrity personality who has no business intervening in the health care of women across the country. The Trump administration is working to roll back access to everything from birth control to lifesaving abortion care, and the last thing Americans want or need is another extremist creating barriers to accessing care. Now more than ever, we must amplify the stories of people affected by these attacks and be clear about the deadly consequences of attacks on reproductive freedom.”
If you are interested in learning more about the extremists in Trump’s cabinet, what’s at stake for abortion access, and how the Trump administration is working to ban abortion nationwide, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us.
Free & Just is committed to fighting for reproductive freedom. Join us in sharing stories, raising voices, and securing our future.
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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.
ICYMI: Dr. Caitlin Gustafson Addresses House Members on the Dangers of Extreme Abortion Bans in Washington D.C.
For Immediate Release
April 3, 2025
Contact: Malachi White, malachi@freeandjust.us
ICYMI: Dr. Caitlin Gustafson Addresses House Members on the Dangers of Extreme Abortion Bans in Washington D.C.
During her visit, Dr. Gustafson was honored for her work as a rural family physician and her advocacy for reproductive freedom in states with extreme abortion bans.
WASHINGTON, DC –– This week to close out Women’s History Month, Dr. Caitlin Gustafson met with members of Congress, including members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, to advocate against abortion bans in her home state of Idaho and across the country.
During her visit to the nation’s capital she was honored for her work as a clinician and rural family physician in Idaho while fighting to defend access to lifesaving medical care amidst ongoing attacks from the Trump administration and extreme anti-abortion policy makers.
Dr. Gustafson addressed House Democratic leadership and members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus while being honored for her work. Remarks can be found below:
“Thank you to the DWC and to Chairwoman Fernandez. I also want to thank Free and Just who brought me out here and has elevated this work, and done the work of bringing storytellers to this issue because that's really what it takes is for us to continue to tell the hardest stories out there. Unfortunately, that's the time we're living in. For me, as a rural family doctor, I've lost a lot. In Idaho, I have the privilege of taking care of families, generations of families in Idaho. I love it. I had the dream job, until the Idaho abortion ban came into effect. Some of you know what's going on with EMTALA—that is just the tip of the issue for the abortion care issue. It’s so important to the fight that we're fighting for basic emergency care as it relates to reproductive health care. So thanks again for keeping the fight going, for understanding how important this is, for elevating the stories of patients, providers, and families who are affected by this issue. Reproductive freedom is an American dream. It doesn't have to be just a dream, though. It's an American right. We will get there, I’m keeping the hope. Thank you very much for having me and for this honor.”
Earlier this month the Trump administration abandoned the legal challenge to Idaho’s abortion ban regarding the right to emergency abortion care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). Subsequently, an Idaho federal judge issued a decision granting a preliminary injunction against the state abortion ban that applies only to St. Luke’s, the largest health system in Idaho, meaning that whether or not patients can receive life-saving emergency care in Idaho depends on which ER they show up to, as every other hospital and provider in Idaho will once again be forced to airlift patients out of state or wait until their conditions worsen before they can intervene to provide the necessary care.
Protecting abortion rights and expanding access to care has never been more universally popular, uniting Americans of all race, gender, socio-economic status, geography, and political affiliations. Surveys have found that only 15% of people had heard a lot or some about the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act. Still, despite the popularity of access to abortion care, the Trump administration continues to attack access to this lifesaving emergency care.
If you are interested in speaking with Dr. Gustafson about her experience in DC or as a provider in Idaho, or patients living in Idaho regarding their experience living in a post Roe world, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us. If you are interested in learning more about the research gathered regarding state-level abortion bans and federal activity, please contact malachi@freeandjust.us.
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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.
Dr. Caitlin Gustafson Travels to DC to Highlight Dangers of Idaho Abortion Ban with Democratic Women’s Caucus and House Democrats for Women’s History Month
For Immediate Release
March 31, 2025
Contact: Malachi White, malachi@freeandjust.us
Dr. Caitlin Gustafson Travels to DC to Highlight Dangers of Idaho Abortion Ban with Democratic Women’s Caucus and House Democrats for Women’s History Month
Dr. Gustafson is a family physician in McCall, Idaho and the Co-President of the Idaho Coalition for Safe Healthcare
WASHINGTON, DC –– Today, Dr. Caitlin Gustafson met with members of Congress, including members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, to advocate against abortion bans in her home state of Idaho and across the country.
During her visit to the nation’s capital she was honored for her work as a clinician and family physician in Idaho while fighting to defend access to lifesaving medical care. The honor comes at the end of Women’s History Month, amidst ongoing attacks from the Trump administration and MAGA Republicans to restrict and ban access to lifesaving abortion care in Idaho and across the country.
Dr. Gustafson has continuously spoken out against these attacks and the consequences abortion bans have on patients in her community and nationwide.
“As a rural family physician, my practice is broad in scope and often includes pregnancy, labor and delivery care for my patients who do not have access to specialized services,” said Dr. Caitlin Gustafson. “I’m honored to be recognized by the Democratic Women’s Caucus, and it’s not lost on me that I am receiving this honor at a time where the Trump Administration and MAGA Republicans are attacking abortion access for patients across the country, including access to lifesaving emergency abortion care. I came to Washington DC to educate lawmakers about what’s at stake for the patients I serve every day – including the right to receive life-saving emergency care no matter which emergency room they go to in the state of Idaho.”
Earlier this month the Trump administration abandoned the legal challenge to Idaho’s abortion ban regarding the right to emergency abortion care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). Subsequently, just last week, an Idaho federal judge issued a decision granting a preliminary injunction against the state abortion ban that applies only to St. Luke’s, the largest health system in Idaho, meaning that whether or not patients can receive life-saving emergency care in Idaho depends on which ER they show up to, as every other hospital and provider in Idaho will once again be forced to airlift patients out of state or wait until their conditions worsen before they can intervene to provide the necessary care.
“Dr. Gustafson’s work and advocacy is critical to ensure the well-being and safety of patients in her community and across the country.” said Veronica Ingham, Senior Campaigns Director for Free & Just. “As the Trump administration and MAGA extremists in Congress use every tool at their disposal to restrict or ban abortion nationwide, including in states like Idaho, providers like Dr. Gustafson are being put in impossible positions because the government thinks it knows better than Idaho families and their doctors. The Trump Administration’s decision to abandon the EMTALA case means that more women will be at risk of dying, full stop.”
Protecting abortion rights and expanding access to care has never been more universally popular, uniting Americans of all race, gender, socio-economic status, geography, and political affiliations. Surveys have found that only 15% of people had heard a lot or some about the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act. Still, despite the popularity of access to abortion care, the Trump administration continues to attack access to this lifesaving emergency care.
If you are interested in speaking with Dr. Gustafson about her experience in DC or as a provider in Idaho, or patients living in Idaho regarding their experience living in a post Roe world, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us. If you are interested in learning more about the research gathered regarding state-level abortion bans and federal activity, please contact malachi@freeandjust.us.
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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.
Free & Just Condemns Criminalization of Georgia Woman’s Miscarriage While State Legislature Moves Legislation to Classify Abortion as Homicide
For Immediate Release
March 28, 2025
Contact: Malachi White, malachi@freeandjust.us
Free & Just Condemns Criminalization of Georgia Woman’s Miscarriage While State Legislature Moves Legislation to Classify Abortion as Homicide
24-year-old, Selena Maria Chandler Scott, found unconscious and bleeding still sits in jail for criminalized miscarriage.
WASHINGTON, DC –– This week, law enforcement arrested Selena Maria Chandler Scott, 24, after she suffered a miscarriage. She is being wrongfully charged with “concealing the death of another person” and “throwing away or abandonment of a dead body” due to Georgia’s extreme anti-abortion laws. She is currently in jail.
Between 10% and 20% of all known pregnancies end in miscarriage. Meanwhile, instead of pushing efforts to prioritize the health and safety of women and patients in Georgia, Republicans are moving another extreme bill (HB 441) that would be a total ban on abortion — going even further than what is current state law. This showcases the fact that Republican lawmakers care more about infringing people’s rights than ensuring the wellbeing of patients seeking care. As of today, Republican lawmakers across ten states including Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, Indiana, Iowa, Idaho and North Dakota, have introduced legislation that aims to charge pregnant women with homicide if they seek out or receive abortion care.
“My daughter waited 20 hours for emergency care and ultimately lost her life. I don’t want another mother to experience the loss I have suffered,” said Shanette Williams, whose daughter Amber Nicole Thurman lost her life in Georgia after being denied timely medical care due to the state’s abortion ban. “Arresting people who experience miscarriages will not keep women and families safe in Georgia.”
“I have been an ultrasound tech in Georgia for 20 years, and what is happening to Ms. Scott and others like her is inhumane and unbecoming of our country,” said Suki O, an ultrasound technician who helps abortion patients in the Atlanta area. “I’ve seen first-hand the impact of the Dobbs decision on my patients, many of whom have had miscarriages or other tragic situations due to fetal anomalies, ectopic pregnancies, or simply not having access to timely medical care when they need it most. What is happening to Ms. Scott is an injustice and abuse of a law that already infringes greatly on the rights of women in Georgia.”
“Abortion bans in a post Roe world are not only killing women, but also criminalizing women who lack access to lifesaving care even after having a miscarriage. People across the country are enduring devastating loss and fear because of ongoing attacks on access to reproductive health care, and there is no excuse for the trauma inflicted on these people, including Selena,” said Veronica Ingham, Senior Campaigns Director for Free & Just. “Abortion bans are killing women and instead of working to protect families, lawmakers are going out of their way to punish pregnant women who are already grieving devastating losses. What’s happening to this young woman is a reflection of the priorities of extreme anti-abortion legislators in Georgia and across the country.”
If you are interested in speaking with Shanette Williams and Suki O about their experiences in Georgia, or other storytellers living in Georgia regarding living in a post Roe world, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us. If you are interested in learning more about the research gathered regarding state-level abortion bans and federal activity, please contact malachi@freeandjust.us.
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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.
STATEMENT: Free & Just Responds to CDC Nominee Withdrawal, Demands Director Who Will Protect Women’s Health
For Immediate Release
March 13, 2025
Contact: Kelly Rimar kelly@freeandjust.us
Free & Just Responds to CDC Nominee Withdrawal, Demands Director Who Will Protect Women’s Health
WASHINGTON, DC –– Today, just minutes before President Trump’s nominee to serve as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anti-abortion extremist, David Weldon, was set to appear before the Senate HELP Committee, the administration announced that Weldon’s nomination had been withdrawn.
This week, Free & Just exposed David Weldon as a radical anti-abortion extremist with a long and dangerous record of limiting access to care. Weldon’s withdrawal means the Trump administration has another opportunity to nominate a leader who will play a critical role in safeguarding Americans’ health – including the health of women seeking reproductive care.
Following the announcement that Weldon’s nomination had been withdrawn, Veronica Ingham, Senior Campaigns Director for Free & Just released the following statement:
“President Trump’s cabinet is already jam-packed with anti-abortion extremists like Attorney General Pam Bondi and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and the last thing Americans want or need is another appointee who will weaponize the federal government to restrict access to reproductive health care nationwide. Abortion bans are killing women across the country, and Americans need a leader at the CDC who can be trusted with sensitive data and will protect women’s health – not put more lives at risk.”
If you are interested in learning more about the extremists in Trump’s cabinet, what’s at stake for abortion access, and how the Trump administration is working to ban abortion nationwide, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us.
Free & Just is committed to fighting for reproductive freedom. Join us in sharing stories, raising voices, and securing our future.
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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.
Free & Just to Launch Mobile Billboard Exposing CDC Nominee David Weldon’s Anti-Abortion Extremism, Urging Senators to Oppose Confirmation
**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 13 FROM 8AM-4PM ET**
Free & Just to Launch Mobile Billboard Exposing CDC Nominee David Weldon’s Anti-Abortion Extremism, Urging Senators to Oppose Confirmation
Weldon’s dangerous record to be exposed at confirmation hearing Thursday
WASHINGTON, DC –– On Thursday, March 13, Free & Just is launching a mobile billboard exposing David Weldon, President Trump’s nominee to serve as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as a radical anti-abortion extremist unfit to lead this important federal agency. Weldon will appear before the Senate HELP Committee for a hearing on Thursday at 10am ET.
President Trump’s cabinet is jam-packed with anti-abortion extremists like Attorney General Pam Bondi and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and together, with David Weldon as head of the CDC, these appointees could exploit the power of the federal government to ban abortion nationwide.
The mobile billboard will travel around Capitol Hill during Weldon’s confirmation hearing from 8AM–4PM ET (see route below).
Contact Kelly Rimar (kelly@freeandjust.us) for questions or more information.
Abortion bans are killing women and devastating communities across the country. Instead of taking steps to protect families, Trump and extremists like David Weldon want to roll back our rights even further. The Senate must prioritize the health and safety of women across the country by opposing the confirmation of David Weldon as CDC director.
WHAT: Mobile billboard circulating around Capitol Hill during David Weldon’s confirmation hearing
WHEN: Thursday, March 13 from 8am-4pm ET
WHERE: Billboard to travel around Capitol Hill (see route below)
*ICYMI* Free & Just Launches Digital Ads Highlighting Trump Administration’s New Attack on Access to Lifesaving Emergency Care
For Immediate Release
March 10, 2025
Contact: Malachi White, malachi@freeandjust.us
Free & Just Launches Digital Ads Highlighting Trump Administration’s New Attack on Access to Lifesaving Emergency Care
Six-figure ad buy in Georgia, Texas, and Wisconsin spotlights deadly implications of the Trump administration’s move to limit access to emergency care
WASHINGTON, DC –– Today, Free and Just launched new digital ads responding to the Trump administration abandoning the legal challenge to Idaho’s ban on emergency abortion care. The six-figure digital buy in Georgia, Texas, and Wisconsin educates Americans about the decision that puts millions of patients and families at risk and the lives of women in the hands of extremist politicians.
You can watch the ad here.
“Last week, just hours before the President’s joint address to Congress, the Trump administration quietly launched a deadly new attack on abortion access which could leave millions of women across the country without access to lifesaving medical care,” said Veronica Ingham, Senior Campaigns Director for Free & Just. “Abortion bans hurt all of us, no matter where we live, and they are a horrific example of government overreach that gets in the way of lifesaving care for women. The Trump administration has already shown us that they are using every tool at their disposal to restrict or ban abortion nationwide. These ads spotlight how this administration's extreme anti-abortion agenda puts the lives of millions of women at risk. Abortion bans are killing women, and instead of focusing on protecting access to lifesaving medical care, extreme politicians in the White House and Congress are working to roll back patient’s rights even further.”
Protecting abortion rights and expanding access to care has never been more universally popular, uniting Americans of all race, gender, socio-economic status, geography, and political affiliations. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) is a federal law that requires hospitals to provide emergency medical treatment to anyone who needs it, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status. Importantly, this includes emergency abortion care when a pregnancy threatens a patient's life or health. The administration's decision to drop this legal challenge could allow states to restrict emergency abortion care even when medically necessary to save a patient's life. Surveys have found that while only 15% of people had heard a lot or some about the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, the protections guaranteed by the law are overwhelmingly popular. Still, despite the popularity of access to abortion care, the Trump administration continues to attack access to this lifesaving emergency care.
If you are interested in speaking with healthcare providers or patients about their experience living in a post Roe world, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us. If you are interested in learning more about the research gathered regarding state-level abortion bans and federal activity, please contact malachi@freeandjust.us.
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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.
BREAKING: Trump Administration Abandons Legal Challenge to Idaho Abortion Ban, Jeopardizing Access to Lifesaving Medical Care Across the Country
For Immediate Release
March 5, 2025
Contact: Kelly Rimar, kelly@freeandjust.us
BREAKING: Trump Administration Abandons Legal Challenge to Idaho Abortion Ban, Jeopardizing Access to Lifesaving Medical Care Across the Country
Abortion bans are killing women – the Department of Justice is putting millions more lives at risk
WASHINGTON, DC –– Today, the Trump administration abandoned the legal challenge to Idaho’s abortion ban regarding the right to emergency abortion care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). This move from the Department of Justice, which was announced hours before President Trump’s joint address to Congress in an apparent attempt to hide it from the American public, further demonstrates the Trump administration's intent to ban and restrict abortion nationwide putting more women’s lives in danger, regardless of the many patients and families who depend on this medically-necessary, lifesaving care across the country.
Free & Just is launching a six-figure digital buy in Wisconsin, Georgia, and Texas to educate Americans about this under-the-radar move by the Trump administration that puts millions of patients and families at risk and the lives of women in the hands of extremist politicians.
The reality is that at least one-third of women will go to the emergency room during their pregnancies, as pregnancy complications can be life-threatening - regardless of the disinformation being touted by anti-abortion extremists. After Idaho began enforcing the ban on emergency abortion care in January 2024, at least six patients with severe pregnancy complications were airlifted out of state to receive emergency care in the following three months.
Protecting abortion rights and expanding access to care has never been more universally popular, uniting Americans of all race, gender, socio-economic status, geography, and political affiliations. Surveys have found that while only 15% of people had heard a lot or some about the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, the protections guaranteed by the law are overwhelmingly popular even after a simple description. Still, despite the popularity of access to abortion care, the Trump administration continues to attack access to this lifesaving care.
In response to the Trump administration and Department of Justice’s decision, Veronica Ingham, Senior Campaigns Director for Free & Just released the following statement:
“This week, with much of the country distracted by President Trump’s joint address before Congress, the Department of Justice quietly greenlit another deadly attack on access to lifesaving abortion care. The administration's decision to abandon the challenge to Idaho’s abortion ban empowers extremists across the country, and leaves patients and providers at risk. Abortion bans are killing women, and instead of taking steps to protect access to lifesaving medical care, Trump and Republican officials are working behind-the-scenes to roll back our rights even further. Today’s decision confirms that the Trump administration is committed to banning abortion nationwide at the risk of patients’ lives.”
Following the DOJ’s filing to dismiss the case, emergency medicine physicians and patient storytellers from Idaho and across the country released statements highlighting how the administration’s decision puts lives at risk.
“Idaho is not a safe place to be pregnant, and this move from Trump’s Department of Justice confirms that attacks on access to care will only continue to escalate,” said Kayla Smith, who was forced to flee the state of Idaho for lifesaving abortion care after the state’s extreme abortion ban took effect. “I am heartbroken and outraged for the people of Idaho, who could soon find themselves forced to travel out-of-state for lifesaving medical care like my family was.” Smith is one of three plaintiffs in Adkins v. State of Idaho, a case challenging the state’s abortion ban.
"All Americans, including those in Idaho, deserve better than extremist policies that make standard medical care illegal," said Dr. Caitlin Gustafson, a family physician and President of the Idaho Coalition for Safe Healthcare Foundation. “The Trump administration is going out of its way to make our jobs as doctors more difficult, and undermining the care we are able to provide to our patients. Politicizing lifesaving medical care is dangerous and it is wrong. Our lawmakers need to focus on making healthcare safer and more accessible, not less.”
“For decades, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) has guaranteed that emergency medicine physicians like me can provide appropriate care to every patient we treat – the Trump administration is trying to change that,” said Dr. Sophia Spadafore, an Emergency Medicine physician practicing in New York City. “I am fearful for my patients, for my colleagues, and for every person who could soon find themselves turned away from the ER and unable to access the care they need.”
If you are interested in speaking with any of the storytellers quoted above, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us.
Free & Just is committed to fighting for reproductive freedom. Join us in sharing stories, raising voices, and securing our future.
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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.
Free & Just Statement on President Trump’s Joint Address
For Immediate Release
March 5, 2025
Contact: Malachi White, malachi@freeandjust.us
WASHINGTON D.C. – Last night, the issue of abortion was notably absent from President Donald Trump’s Joint Address. The failure to mention the issue of abortion was notable at a time when the Trump administration has ramped up attacks on reproductive freedom, largely due to the policy agenda of anti-abortion extremists seeking to further ban or restrict abortion across the country. One in seven women in states with abortion bans say they, or someone they know, has had difficulty accessing an abortion due to restrictions in their state since Roe was overturned. Now that anti-abortion extremists control the White House and Congress, it’s more important than ever that everyone understands what’s at stake when it comes to abortion access and reproductive freedom in this country.
In response Trump’s remark at today’s State of the Union address, Veronica Ingham, Senior Campaigns Director for Free & Just released the following statement:
“Despite the fact that Trump continues to pretend that banning abortion isn’t on his agenda, he and his extremist colleagues in Congress have a clear record of pushing an anti-abortion agenda that would gut reproductive health care for so many patients and families across the country. Abortion bans hurt all of us – no matter where we live and who we are. Extremist rhetoric and fearmongering of the facts surrounding abortion access and reproductive health care is why states are continuing to push anti-abortion laws through state legislatures, MAGA Republicans in Congress continue to advance an extreme agenda to restrict access to abortion care, and the Administration takes steps to implement Project 2025. As extremist politicians continue to push dangerous anti-abortion policies, we must be clear about the grave implications of this post Roe reality and how it will have a detrimental impact on patients and providers nationwide.”
If you are interested in speaking with health care providers or patients about their experience living in a post Roe world, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us. If you are interested in learning more about the research gathered regarding state-level abortion bans and federal activity, please contact malachi@freeandjust.us.
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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.
Ahead of Trump’s Address, Senator Patty Murray, Former Rep. Colin Allred, and Guests Who Attended 2024 State of the Union Spotlight Vicious New Attacks on Abortion Access and Reproductive Freedom
WASHINGTON, DC –– Today, ahead of President Trump’s joint address to Congress, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and former Rep. Colin Allred joined Free & Just, patients, providers, and advocates who attended last year’s State of the Union as honored guests to set the record straight about how the Trump administration and extremists' efforts to ban abortion nationwide are putting lives at risk.
Abortion bans are killing women and devastating communities across the country. Still, the Trump administration and Republican officials remain committed to banning abortion nationwide, and they will use any tool at their disposal to do it – even though restricting abortion access remains widely unpopular with most Americans.
“It is painfully clear today that we have to continue shining a harsh spotlight on the impacts of abortion bans,” said Senator Patty Murray of Washington. “While Trump and Republicans would love for the chaos they are causing to push these stories out of the public eye, today there are even more women suffering and dying because of Republican’s extreme abortion bans. It may be the early days of this administration, but it is not too early to see that they are hellbent on ripping away women’s reproductive rights.”
“Within days of Trump taking office, he rescinded President Biden’s executive orders that protect reproductive health care, he wiped essential information about these health care services from government websites, and he nominated a slew of anti-abortion extremists,” said Kayla Smith, a patient storyteller who joined Senator Murray as an honored guest at the State of the Union one year ago. “I am here today to do my part. I will continue to speak out about what is going on and how important access to abortion care really is,” Smith, who was forced to flee the state of Idaho for lifesaving abortion care, is one of three plaintiffs in Adkins v. State of Idaho, a case challenging the state’s extreme abortion ban.
“The ‘state of the union’ has a crisis in the middle of it. Women all across this country are being denied basic health care, and families are being forced into impossible positions," said former Congressman Colin Allred from Dallas. “Here in Texas, it’s not uncommon to meet an expecting couple and congratulate them only to hear that they are worried that if something goes wrong with the pregnancy, they don’t know what they’ll do.”
“We knew that because of the abortion bans, IVF could be affected, but we never thought it would affect us,” said Latorya Beasley, a mother and IVF patient from Alabama who was forced to adjust her treatment timeline after the state’s Supreme Court’s devastating ruling on embryos. “Even today, Trump has said that he wants to expand access to IVF, but it’s just a lot of broken promises, and I don’t think there’s anything substantial behind that. I am here today to tell my story and warn others.”
“As a physician, my highest priority and my deepest honor is to take care of my patients. And I feel like that has been broken in so many ways and is only getting worse,” said Dr, Caitlin Bernard, an OB-GYN from Indiana who spoke publicly about providing abortion care to a 10 year old patient. “The question we have now is, what are we going to do about it? What are we going to do to reverse these policies now before things get worse? How many more people do we have to see on the news dying, taken away from their children and families?”
“Let me be clear, President Trump may claim he’s protecting women but all that his policies have done is harm us. He will undoubtedly continue to enact policies that will kill women and devastate families,” said Amanda Zurawski, who nearly lost her life after being denied abortion care in Texas. “While we are devastated, we will not be defeated. As long as these inhumane bans exist, we will continue to fight back.” Zurawski was the lead plaintiff in Zurawski v. State of Texas, the landmark lawsuit challenging Texas’ extreme abortion ban.
If you are interested in speaking with any of the participants in the press event, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us.
You can watch the virtual press event here, and learn more about how Republican officials are restricting reproductive freedom here.
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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.