NCJW Celebrates Reintroduction of Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA)
National Council of Jewish Women
2055 L Street, NW, Suite 650
Washington, DC 20036
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2021
Media Contact: Alyson Malinger, West End Strategy Team
amalinger@westendstrategy.com; 917-935-7311
June 8, 2021, Washington DC – National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) applauds the reintroduction of the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), which safeguards the right to access abortion care nationwide. NCJW Chief Executive Officer Sheila Katz released the following statement:
“Today, Congress moved our country one step closer to a reality where all people are free to make our own decisions about our lives, our futures and our families with the reintroduction of the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA). With nearly 500 abortion bans and restrictions in states across the US, WHPA seeks to remove barriers to access safe and quality reproductive health care.
“Guided by the principles of the reproductive justice movement, this bill would put an end to medically unnecessary restrictions that single out abortion care providers and impede access including through mandated waiting periods, invasive ultrasounds, regulating the width of hallways or requiring providers to share inaccurate information with people seeking care. National Council of Jewish Women’s (NCJW) 180,000 advocates and network of over 1,000 Rabbis for Repro look forward to working with members of the 117th Congress to advance this critical legislation.
“As the Supreme Court prepares to hear Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade, we know that now is the time for Congress to step in. Existing abortion bans and restrictions fall hardest on those already facing barriers to accessing health care — including Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC); those working to make ends meet; members of the LGBTQI+ community; immigrants; young people; those living in rural communities; and people with disabilities. Without the right to safely access abortion care in their own states, pregnant people are often forced to travel lengthy distances, to scramble to find childcare, and to contend with the threat of losing their jobs. They could be forced to carry an unwanted or non-viable pregnancy to term or even criminalized for exercising their basic constitutional and human rights.
“As Jews, we believe in the power of compassion to build a just and fair society.
A compassionate nation ensures equal access to quality, timely health care for everyone, which in turn allows individuals to achieve their social and economic goals, and promotes reproductive and moral autonomy and the right to determine our own lives. We call on Congress to pass WHPA to protect access to abortion and to help us build a society where all women, children, and families can thrive in our communities with dignity.”
National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. More information on Facebook and on Twitter at @NCJW.