Richmond, VA – In response to a lawsuit filed by health care providers challenging Virginia’s abortion laws, House Democratic Caucus Chair Del. Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria) issues the following statement:
“House Democrats have been steadfast advocates to expand access to comprehensive healthcare. Just last month, Democratic leadership paved the way for better healthcare through a state budget that included Medicaid Expansion for nearly 400,000 Virginians and funding for long-acting reversible contraceptives for women. Healthcare in Virginia should be based on medical science. Removing medically unnecessary restrictions is a step forward toward helping women shape healthcare policy.”
Del. Jennifer Boysko (D-Herndon), has twice carried the Whole Woman’s Health Act in Virginia, which sought to repeal many of the same medically-unnecessary abortion restrictions named in the new lawsuit, she issues the following statement:
“Healthcare decisions are best made between a health care provider and their patient. Unfortunately, a shrinking-majority of anti-choice lawmakers in Virginia have kept restrictions to abortion access on the books. These medically-unnecessary abortion restrictions block access to care and have a disproportionate impact on communities of color who have historically been denied access to quality health care due to discriminatory policies. It’s time to get these laws off the books and guarantee equitable access to abortion care for every woman in the Commonwealth.”