Central STL News

Washington D.C. — On June 22, Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) reintroduced the Protect Sexual and Reproductive Health Act, legislation that would provide an immediate and tangible federal response to provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care affected by the Supreme court overturn of Roe. v Wade. Federal legislators have an obligation to fill the tremendous gaps in sexual and reproductive health care left by a far-right extremist Supreme Court and the continued implementation of the Hyde Amendment. 

“As we approach the one-year anniversary of the overturn of Roe, let us remember the gut-wrenching pain felt around the country when we discovered an illegitimate Court rolled back protections for millions of people. As devastating as this day was for reproductive justice, we must recognize that Roe was always the floor. Historically, our most marginalized communities have been denied or lacked access to health care coverage, affordable and safe housing, healthy environments, a living wage, and economic stability. The Protect Sexual and Reproductive Health Act would not only prioritize the needs of our most marginalized communities, but also uses a reproductive justice framework to holistically address the needs of all people as it relates to their sexual and reproductive health and well-being.” 

This legislation prioritizes the needs of marginalized communities – particularly Black, brown, Indigenous people, LGTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, low-income folks, and young people – to ensure that we are building nurturing environments that support every person, child, family, and community. 

This bill uses a reproductive justice framework to invest in and prioritize the full spectrum and holistic needs of all people as it relates to their sexual and reproductive health and well-being. Moreover, it will ensure that there is an abundance of federal resources provided to people in need of holistic and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care, no matter where they live. 

Specifically, the Protect Sexual and Reproductive Health Act would:

• Establish a new office to oversee activities that promote sexual and reproductive health and well-being within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS);
• Develop a national strategy to increase access to and awareness of sexual and reproductive health and well-being;
• Create an interagency task force comprised of all 15 federal agencies to coordinate on the development and implementation of the national strategy on sexual and reproductive health and well-being, and;
• Establish a $2.5 billion reproductive health justice and equity grant program for community-based organizations to support programs and services related to improving sexual and reproductive health care.

A copy of the legislation can be found HERE. A copy of the one-pager can be found HERE.

This legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Gwen Moore (WI-04), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Mark Takano (CA-39), Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00).

The Protect Sexual and Reproductive Health Act is endorsed by Planned Parenthood, The Collaborative (formerly NBEC), National Women's Health Network, Catholics for Choice, Reproductive Health Access Project, Positive Women's Network-USA, Black Girls Vote, Reale Justice Network, Corridor Community Action Network, National Partnership for Women & Families, YWCA Metropolitan St. Louis, National Center for Lesbian Rights, New Mexico Doula Association, Physicians for Reproductive Health, and Power to Decide. 

“Reproductive freedom is a fundamental human right. With recent attacks on reproductive and sexual healthcare and education across the country, it is more important than ever to work to support access through comprehensive legislation like the Protect Sexual and Reproductive Health Act,” said Mandi Remington, Executive Director of the Corridor Community Action Network.

“This legislation will benefit our most vulnerable community members and will undoubtedly boost the health outcomes of those seeking reproductive health care,” said Justice Reale, Executive Director of the Reale Justice Network.

“This legislation represents a significant leap towards dismantling systemic barriers and affirming full reproductive autonomy and health equity, honoring the distinct experiences of all communities,” said Melissa Marie Lopez, Executive Director of the New Mexico Doula Association.

“This is an exciting and comprehensive legislative step toward equity and reproductive justice and a return to bodily autonomy for all women and their families,” said Dr. Cheryl Watkins, MBA, President & CEO YWCA Metropolitan St. Louis.

Congresswoman Cori Bush sits on the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees, serves as the Ranking Member of Oversight Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs, and proudly represents St. Louis as a politivist in the halls of the United States Congress. 

Original source can be found here