The Oregon Health Authority launched a website Tuesday to make it easier for women to obtain abortions. That day, the U.S. Supreme Court was considering another abortion case brought by groups who want to restrict access to abortion pills.
The timing was no coincidence, said Larry Bingham, a spokesman for the health department.
“Given the national debate and confusion surrounding reproductive health, we want to ensure Oregonians have accurate, fact-based information and access to resources and services regarding abortion, which is legal in Oregon. ,” Bingham said in an email.
of Access to Abortion in Oregon The website reveals that abortion is legal in Oregon, which has the least restrictions in the nation. In a release, Governor Tina Kotek emphasized that Oregon residents have the right to abortion, as well as visitors to the state.
under Reproductive Health Equity Act Passed in 2017, abortion is free for patients. They must be covered by insurance, including Medicaid, commercial plans and employer plans. Oregon also covers abortions for illegal immigrants. However, there are exceptions to the Access Act. Veterans, tribal communities, federal employees and others who receive health insurance through the federal government are not eligible for the procedure because Congress prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions. The state also granted exceptions to Providence Health Plan, along with religious employers who wish to opt out.
States have programs. abortion access plan, which is intended to help people who are not covered by insurance companies, has a link on its website.website too provides information about various abortion services,patient's legal rightslist of abortion provider, information help pay for insurance and expenses; how to ask for help With travel and other support.
Around the same time that health officials announced the website, justices on the U.S. Supreme Court were hearing arguments in a case against the abortion drug mifepristone backed by religious groups. The US Food and Drug Administration approved it in 2000 and updated prescribing guidelines in 2016, making the pill more accessible.
Conservative religious groups are calling on the Food and Drug Administration to rescind these guidelines because they would make it harder to access the drug, which is also used to alleviate miscarriage. When used to induce an abortion, mifepristone is usually taken with another medication. Misoprostol. Medication abortions account for more than 60% of abortions performed in the United States, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which tracks abortion data.
as State Newsroom reported, the justices seemed skeptical of the arguments of anti-abortion groups. A decision on the case is expected later this year. If a judge rules against easy access to mifepristone, Oregon would be affected, even though the state has a stockpile of mifepristone.About a year ago, Kotek ordered A three-year supply of the drug will need to be purchased, and health officials are working with health care providers to develop a plan to distribute the pills as needed.
Oregon officials present in united front
Sejal Hati, the new director of the Oregon Health Authority, said in a statement that the website is part of the agency's efforts to protect access to abortion.
“As challenges to women's reproductive freedom grow nationally, OHA is committed to ensuring that all people living in and visiting our state have access to a full range of reproductive health care, including, among other things, abortion, infertility treatment, and contraception. We remain determined to protect it,” Hattie said. “The foundation of access is knowledge of one's rights, the services available, and the basics of receiving care. This website allows us to share that knowledge and encourage more people to access protected care. We are one step closer to enabling access.”
Also on Tuesday, Democratic U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, Democratic U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon's 1st District, and Sarah, an obstetrician-gynecologist and new president and CEO of family planning organization Columbia Willamette, A united front of providers, advocates, and Democratic lawmakers, including Dr. Kennedy, to preserve access to mifepristone and abortion in Oregon. Wyden said Tuesday's lawsuit marks another attempt by conservatives to roll back reproductive health care in the wake of the Supreme Court's overturning of the ruling. Roe vs. Wade In 2022.
“What we are essentially dealing with is the next and latest inhumane and unconstitutional attack on reproductive rights,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.. Ta. “First of all, what you have is Roe vs. Wade, I recently underwent IVF, and today I will be talking about mifepristone. We must believe that contraceptive methods will become a reality in the future. ”
Kennedy echoed similar sentiments, saying the incident “represents another extreme attempt to chip away at safe and legal abortion,” and vowed that Bonamici would continue to fight for reproductive rights. .
“We will fight today and for as long as necessary to protect, restore and expand access to abortion, including access to mifepristone,” Bonamici said.
of Roe vs. Wade prompted to make a decision A legislative working group recommending that health authorities create websites with comprehensive reproductive health information. And in March of that year, in anticipation of the ruling, the Democratic-controlled Congress approved the Reproductive Health Equity Fund to help underserved communities access abortion and other care. allocated $15 million to Abortion is legal statewide, but 75% of Oregon's counties, home to about one-fifth of the state's women, do not have access to abortions, according to Seeding Justice, a Portland nonprofit that oversees the fund. There are no companies offering it. Last year, the company donated $1 million to the Northwest Abortion Access Fund, which helps patients in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and Alaska access abortions by paying for travel, hotels, meals, and child care. There is. Demand for the fund has increased more than 250% in the past year, according to Seeding Justice.
Last week, the company announced it would donate an additional $8.5 million to 23 organizations serving a variety of low-income, racially and ethnically diverse communities. Award recipients include Basic Rights Oregon, Latino Network, Northwest Portland Area Health Indian Board, Oregon Community Health Workers Association, Planned Parenthood, and Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center.
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