| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 21, 2022 |
PRESS CONTACT Abby Shepard abigail.shepard@firesidecampaigns.com |
Health Care Voices Founder Laura Packard Reflects on the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
49 years after the Supreme Court ruling, women’s health care and right to choose are in danger once again
DENVER — Tomorrow is the 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court case which affirmed that access to a safe and legal abortion is a constitutional right. Since then, this right has been under almost constant threat, and with a major Supreme Court decision on abortion coming this year, 2022 is certain to be a critical year for reproductive rights and women’s health.
Health Care Voices Founder and Affordable Care Act Advocate Laura Packard issued the following statement:
“Health care decisions are personal choices, ones that belong in the hands of individuals and their providers, not politicians. 49 years ago, the Supreme Court’s ruling on Roe v. Wade was a milestone for women’s rights, confirming their right to make these health care choices and establishing access safe and legal abortions is a constitutional right.”
“Today, Roe v. Wade is still a critical component of women’s rights. However, in the past five decades, state laws and regulations like the Hyde Amendment have chipped away at Roe v. Wade by restricting access to safe, legal abortions and choices around one’s reproductive health, particularly for women of color and women with low socioeconomic status.”
“Now, Roe v. Wade is in the most danger it has ever been. The Supreme Court already refused to block Texas’ restrictive new abortion law, and they will soon be releasing their ruling on Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban which carries a serious risk of overturning Roe v. Wade. These laws are not just attacks on abortion—they’re attacks on every aspect of women’s health care. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, it wouldn’t just strip access to abortion for 25 million women and girls. It would put millions of lives in danger and strip them of their fundamental right to health care.”
“Regardless of what the Supreme Court decides, we urge federal elected officials to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act and codify Roe v. Wade into law—because every person should be able to make their own decisions about their health and their bodies, including abortion.”
Laura Packard is a small business owner and health care advocate, executive director of Health Care Voter, and founder of Health Care Voices. She is a stage 4 cancer survivor, and the Affordable Care Act saved her life. If you’re interested in connecting with Laura to discuss Roe v. Wade, women’s health care or America’s health care system more generally, please reach out to abigail.shepard@firesidecampaigns.com.
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