Harrisburg − January 30, 2024 − The co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus Sen. Amanda Cappelletti (D-Montgomery), Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks), Rep. Gina H. Curry (D-Delaware) and Rep. Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery) issued the following statement in response to today’s ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court regarding Medicaid coverage for abortion.
“Yesterday, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ruled in favor of abortion providers and delivered a big win for those of us who are fighting to maintain, protect, and expand access to reproductive healthcare in the Commonwealth. Specifically, the Court ruled Pennsylvania’s abortion providers could challenge the Pennsylvania ban on Medicaid coverage for abortion as sex discrimination under the Equal Rights Amendment and as a violation of the Equal Protection provisions of the Pennsylvania Constitution, which was previously not possible.
This decision does not immediately end the Medicaid abortion ban, but it is a positive step towards expanding access to reproductive healthcare for all Pennsylvanians who need it, not just those who can afford it. Nobody should be forced to carry a pregnancy to term simply because they cannot afford to pay for their healthcare. All Pennsylvanians, regardless of income, deserve the right to a safe abortion.
Make no mistake, there is still an abundance of work to be done in removing barriers to abortion access in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus remains committed to building on yesterday’s ruling and fighting for expanded reproductive healthcare here in our Commonwealth. Today, we stand together in affirming that abortion is healthcare, and healthcare is a human right.”
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