Women losing options

Friday marked the 37th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the United States. While I am, of course, grateful for this significant legal victory, it seems overshadowed by the real-life challenges women face accessing not just abortion but all reproductive health care.

There are millions of American women without health insurance, and in Washington alone, there are over 300,000 women in need of publicly funded reproductive health services. Unfortunately, in the current budget, family-planning programs are slated to be cut by another $3 million on top of the $500,000 cut that took place in the first year of the biennium.

It’s disgraceful that so many women can’t access the basic health care they need to avoid an unintended pregnancy, stay healthy and have control over their lives. We need creative budget solutions – including the exploration of all revenue options – so we can protect women’s reproductive freedom and access to family planning in our state.

Megan Cuilla

Community Organizer

Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington

and North Idaho