Living in Virginia as a Black, Queer woman has forced me to fight for reproductive freedom. And working in reproductive rights has made it clear just how easy it has been for anti-reproductive health politicians to stand in my way.
I want what we all do: the ability to live in a community where every family is strong and healthy and everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of race, income level, zip code, citizenship status, or gender identity. But how are we supposed to reach that goal if it’s possible for lawmakers to pass laws that make it difficult or even impossible to access the full range of reproductive health services like birth control and abortion?
Luckily, I have an employer that offers health insurance. But even with that coverage, there are reproductive healthcare options that are left out or difficult to obtain. And I’m not the only one with this problem—thousands of our friends and neighbors across the Commonwealth struggle to gain access to the full range of reproductive health services.
But what’s worse is that immigrants, transgender, and gender non-conforming people have it even worse than others in our community. The systems we have in place work even less well for them, and they are often blocked from accessing reproductive health care at all.
A Bill for All of Us
A solution to this widespread lack of access is the Reproductive Health Equity Act. Passing this bill would mean comprehensive insurance coverage for reproductive health services, including abortion, contraception, family planning, and postpartum care. The best part? It would be accessible to all of us! There wouldn’t be any barriers in relation to gender identity and could be accessed regardless of where you live, your immigration status, and would be covered regardless of your insurance plan.
If you care about ensuring that everyone in our community has access to abortion and the full range of reproductive health services, email your Senator and Delegate today and tell them to vote for the Reproductive Health Equity Act.