Ashley Ehasz, the Democratic Congressional for Pennsylvania’s First District, will host a reproductive health care roundtable discussion on Saturday, marking the second anniversary of the Dobbs Decision.
Ehasz will be joined by Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton (D-191), State Representative Brian Munroe (D-144), and Linda Hahn, the former CEO of Planned Parenthood Associates of Bucks County.
The Supreme Court’s June 24, 2022, decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which effectively overturned Roe v. Wade, sent shockwaves through the American political landscape. The ruling, which essentially removes the federal constitutional right to abortion, has been viewed as a significant restriction on women’s bodily autonomy by voters on both sides of the aisle and has quickly become a focal point of political debate for all candidates running at every level of government in November.
“Brian Fitzpatrick is afraid to speak publicly about abortion healthcare and contraception because he voted for a national abortion ban, he voted to defund Planned Parenthood, and he knows voters in PA-01 support a woman’s right to choose,” Ehasz said. “This is why I organized this roundtable — a time when Bucks County is losing one of its last two Planned Parenthood medical centers, I felt that it was essential we have a frank discussion with the community about health care access in the post-Roe era.”
Abortion remains legal in Pennsylvania although services are less plentiful. In May, the Planned Parenthood facility located in Warminster announced it will be closing its doors on June 28.
“To keep up with the changing health care environment, and to ensure our patients receive the best care they can, we have made the difficult decision to close our Warminster health center,” Planned Parenthood said in a news release. “Patients in Bucks County will continue to receive health care through our Bensalem location, minutes from the Warminster site, our mobile app PP Direct, and our telehealth program.”
READ: Secure Our Rights: Pass the Reproductive Freedom Act in Pennsylvania
State Rep. Brian Munroe pointed out that the closure in Warminster is a direct result of the GOP’s war on reproductive rights.
“The closing of the Warminster Planned Parenthood after about 30 years of service to women in our community is a sad outcome of the assault on women’s rights,” said Munroe, whose district includes Warminster.
“House Democrats have already, just with a one-seat majority, passed so much meaningful legislation that protects reproductive rights access here in Pennsylvania, including a bill that they passed this session that protects abortion providers and those seeking care within our Commonwealth,” said a campaign spokesperson for Speaker McClinton who referenced HB-1786. “We absolutely have to, again, protect and expand that majority in November so that we can continue to provide Pennsylvania with the healthcare that they deserve.”
“The Dobbs decision threw the subject of women’s rights to the states. As long as I am a State Representative, I will continue to fight to protect those rights,” added Munroe.
The roundtable will begin promptly at 10 a.m., with canvassing immediately following at 11 a.m.
To attend Saturday’s events in Warminster, or to access the livestream, pre-registration is required.
