Governor Tom Wolf today discussed the devastating effects of the recently signed abortion bans on victims of domestic violence executive order allowing out-of-state residents to seek reproductive health care services in Pennsylvania without fear of prosecution.
“Abortion bans increase maternal mortality rates, cause financial hardship that hurts families and our economy, and put people in abusive relationships at greater risk,” said Governor Wolf. “Research shows that women in abusive relationships are more likely to need abortion services, and making abortion more difficult to access can trap women in abusive relationships during pregnancy – a time when abuse often escalates. It is important that Pennsylvanians and our neighbors in other states know that access to abortion will remain legal and safe in the Commonwealth as long as I am governor.
Recently, Governor Wolf has taken executive action to ensure that in-state and out-of-state residents, such as victims of domestic violence, can seek reproductive health care services without fear of discipline and prosecution following the Supreme Court’s ruling in USA for dismantling Roe v. Wade. Studies show that the presence of domestic violence is associated with both an increased risk of unwanted pregnancy and subsequent abortion. Additionally, domestic violence shelters in states that have already passed state abortion bans are already reporting an increase in calls since the Supreme Court’s ruling.
“Here in Pennsylvania, I will not stand for this attack on women and pregnant people,” Governor Wolf said. “I took action by signing the executive order because everyone deserves access to health care. As governor, I will do everything in my power to protect that right.”
The governor was joined today by Attorney General Josh Shapiro, Montgomery County Women’s Center Executive Director Maria Macaluso, Jefferson Health-Abington Hospital physician, Dr. Karen Feisullin, local elected officials and members of the General Assembly’s women’s health caucus.
“I vow to use every tool at my disposal in the Attorney General’s office to protect the ability of physicians to practice medicine and the ability of patients to access health care in Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said. “We know that other states may try to interfere with Pennsylvania’s patients and doctors, and we stand ready to defeat them if they do. Under PA law, women have the ability to access reproductive health care without intimidation or threat. I will continue to advocate for the women of Pennsylvania, and as long as I serve this great nation, the clinic doors will be open.”
“It’s no secret that abortion rights have been in the crosshairs of anti-choice lawmakers in Pennsylvania for a long time,” said Sen. Judy Schwank. “With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, these lawmakers feel emboldened to act as we have seen firsthand in the Commonwealth with the passage of SB 106. However, the actions taken by Governor Wolf, Attorney General Shapiro and members of the Women’s Caucus of the Health Group sends a clear message that we will not stand by while anti-choice lawmakers try to strip Pennsylvanians of their rights.”
“Understanding and supporting the fact that abortion is health care allows everyone to do what is best for themselves and their families,” said Representative Mary Jo Daley. “Legislators who support abortion rights laws are not forcing anyone to have an abortion. Rather, they are supporting women, girls, pregnant women to have bodily autonomy – to make the best decision for themselves. The anti-abortion party wants to force the woman, daughter, pregnant woman to carry the pregnancy to term, regardless of whether it is health, rape, incest, underlying health or any other reason. The idea that any government body has that kind of power over someone’s body is not what the Pennsylvania Constitution or the United States Constitution is about.”
“Providing safe, legal and accessible reproductive care to everyone, especially vulnerable populations, is good public health policy,” said Senator Maria Collett. “I am grateful that Governor Wolf is leading us through these uncertain times. His latest executive order underscores his commitment to using every tool at his disposal to uphold and protect your fundamental rights. Despite efforts by Harrisburg Republicans to circumvent the democratic process to take away our rights, Governor Wolf and I will never stop fighting to ensure that abortion remains safe and legal in Pennsylvania.
In addition to the governor’s executive order, Governor Wolf yesterday filed a lawsuit against the Republican-led Pennsylvania General Assembly for their unconstitutional attempt to ban abortion in Pennsylvania.
IN court filing in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Governor Wolf asserted that the Pennsylvania Constitution explicitly recognizes a personal right to privacy, with such a right including the right to terminate a pregnancy. The proposed abortion amendment under the joint resolution violates this right. The governor further asserted that the multiple and unrelated amendments packaged as a single joint resolution are unconstitutional because the General Assembly pushed forward the proposed amendments without allowing each proposed amendment to be voted on separately.
“The Republican-led General Assembly continues to take extraordinary steps to dismantle access to abortion and implement a radical agenda. Frustrated that their legislation might again face my veto pen, they instead loaded many unrelated constitutional amendments into a joint resolution and ended the bill during the budget process,” Governor Wolf said. “For how long As governor, I will take every step to ensure that abortion remains legal, safe and accessible in Pennsylvania.”
Since taking office in 2015, Governor Wolf has vetoed three different anti-abortion bills introduced by members of the General Assembly and vowed to veto the rest.
