February 12, 2024
RICHMOND, VA – Today, the Virginia House of Delegates considered HB404 (Griffin) which would have restricted women’s access to healthcare by cutting funding to hospitals – including university hospitals – that performed or referred for abortion services, even in emergency situations and with no exceptions for rape. Following spirited debate on the House Floor, the House Democratic Caucus released the following statement:
“Today, the House of Delegates stood up for Democratic values. House Democrats ensured that access to reproductive healthcare — and women’s healthcare overall — remains protected in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Democrats stopped a bill that would have endangered women’s lives and decimated health care services for the most vulnerable among us.
The voters spoke up in November and said that they wanted their healthcare decisions to remain between women and their doctors – not politicians. While we are grateful that the will of the voters resounded in the halls of the General Assembly today, we are not shocked to see that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle once again attempted to obfuscate and distract from finally showing where they stand on this vital issue.
Democrats have been and will remain committed to protecting access to healthcare for Virginians and that was clear in the chamber today.”
Members of the press with additional questions should direct them to Morgan Hopkins at morgan@vahousedems.org.
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