| “The White House has put together an invaluable network for state legislators across the country to share ideas, tactics, and bill language. It has been great to be able to share the progress California has made on protecting access – including our success in allocating more than $200 million for reproductive health care and enshrining the right to abortion and contraceptives in our state constitution – and with each working session, I came away with new ideas and ways to further strengthen those efforts.”
- California Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins |
Provider training is just one example of the policies discussed in these meetings that have since been signed into law in states across the country. In 2022, 12 states enacted more than 35 bills to support access to reproductive health care, and so far in 2023, 14 states have enacted legislation to protect reproductive rights. These initiatives range from codifying reproductive rights in state law in Minnesota to new laws that protect health care providers and patients from out-of-state prosecution in states such as Colorado and Washington. Leaders in these states have also adopted new measures to protect personal health data, require health insurers to cover abortion services, and expand access to contraception.
Beyond state legislators, the White House has engaged governors, state attorneys general, lieutenant governors, and more in the fight to protect access to reproductive health care. Soon after the Dobbs decision, President Biden met with Governors to discuss state actions, including executive orders to protect providers and patients, funding to support increased demand for care in states with abortion access, and new tools to provide women with accurate information about their rights. Following this meeting, Democratic governors of seven states issued new executive orders to protect reproductive rights.
Vice President Harris, a former Attorney General herself, met with state attorneys general leading up to and following the Dobbs decision to discuss their role in the fight for reproductive rights—from challenging state bans to informing state residents about their rights. Attorneys general have since established task forces to coordinate their efforts on reproductive rights, convened law firms and nonprofit organizations to provide legal support to patients and providers, and launched hotlines to provide legal guidance and resources to the public. Many of these state actions complemented national-level work by the Biden-Harris Administration.
Looking Ahead
While the majority of states have adjourned for the 2023 legislative session, many state legislatures will continue to meet this year, providing an opportunity to continue advancing legislation to protect reproductive health care access. State elected officials and coalitions are expected to pursue ballot measures in 2024, building on the progress made through the ballot box in 2022. The White House will continue to support state leaders in the fight to defend reproductive rights while calling on Congress to restore the protections of Roe v. Wade in every state in the nation.
5 of 5
