Reproductive Justice Task Force
The goals of the Reproductive Task Force are to:
- Inform – Although NYS protects reproductive health rights, many other states do not. One of our goals is to determine how best to influence these other states. This requires educating the membership about various state laws, federal laws and how they impact Jewish law.
- Inspire – The programs will be designed to engage people to interest them in the need to protect reproductive rights.
- Act – An obvious way is to donate money to reproductive health rights initiatives. However, not all people are able to make donations and some people like to get actively involved in addition to, or an as alternative to donating. To this end, we maintain a list of potential action items.
Reproductive Task Force Leader: Tanya Briendel, ReproJustice@wct.org
WHAT CAN WE DO NOW?
NYS Reproductive Health Care Bills
The NYS Senate recently passed the NYS Equal Rights Amendment for the second time. As a result, this amendment to NYS’s constitution will be on the ballot in 2024. This amendment would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex—defined to include “pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes and reproductive healthcare and autonomy.” If passed, New York would be the first state to explicitly protect reproductive rights in an ERA.
Here are some bills that, when passed, will strengthen reproductive justice in NYS even before the ERA comes before NY’s voters. We urge you to contact your state legislators in support of this legislation. A simple “I am in favor of (Bill Number) and urge you to support it” will have great impact. Of course, if you would like to send a lengthier message, that would be even more effective. Click here for legislators’ contact information.
Bill Establishing the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Program
Senate S348B - passed
Assembly A361A - in Health Committee
Establishes a grant program within the Department of Health to build reproductive healthcare provider capacity within the state, fund uncompensated care, and provide financial support to organizations providing practical support (such as transportation, child care, lodging, and care) to individuals within and traveling to the State.
Bill Facilitating Access of Self-Administered Birth Control
Senate S1043 - passed
Assembly A1060 - in Higher Education Committee
This law would create greater access to birth control by allowing licensed physicians or certified nurse practitioners to write prescriptions for any individual, regardless of whether they are an existing patient. This will decrease the time and unnecessary steps it currently takes for individuals to receive birth control.
Bill Providing Protections for Health Care Providers
Senate S1066A - Passed
Assembly A1709A - in Codes Committee
This bill would build upon the reproductive health care protections passed into law in 2022 by explicitly adding protections for telehealth and telehealth services. New York health care practitioners who provide reproductive health care through telehealth for individuals outside of New York would be protected from facing punishments from other states. Additionally, this bill would shield these health care workers from any disciplinary actions attempted by other states for these legally protected health activities.
Resources from the Religious Action Center
● The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC): Email Lillie Heyman, the Reproductive Rights Legislative Assistant, at lheyman@rac.org. For resources on how to support abortion funds, providers, and people seeking abortion, check out our resource guide which is updated regularly.
● Guttmacher Institute: Guttmacher is a non-profit organization focused on sexual and reproductive health research, policy analysis and public education. This is a great resource for data, including statistics and surveys.
● American Civil Liberties Union: The ACLU’s website contains updates on some of the major reproductive rights cases and pieces of legislation around the country.
● Planned Parenthood Federation of America: PPFA has great educational information on the medical aspects of family planning, as well as resources for action.
● In Our Own Voice: Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda: A national organizational initiative designed to amplify and lift up the voices of Black women at the national and regional levels. The partnership is made up of eight local Black women's Reproductive Justice organizations throughout the United States.
● National Council of Jewish Women: NCJW is a progressive Jewish social justice women’s organization. Its site has great resources on the Jewish perspective on reproductive rights.
● All* Above All: Launched in 2013 as a women of color-led effort to restore and sustain public insurance coverage of abortion, educating policymakers and the public about the harm of coverage bans, especially for those unable to make ends meet. Much of their work is centered on the EACH Act.
How Do I Get More Involved?
● Contact your state legislators and urge them to protect and expand abortion access.
● Continue to lobby the president, your senators and your representative. You can write a letter, make a phone call or send an e-mail. To easily reach members of Congress, call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. You can also send letters and e-mails from our legislative action center.
● Urge Congress to pass the EACH Act, to repeal the Hyde Amendment and allow federal funds to be used for abortion care.
● Urge your Senators to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, which protects the right to abortion care by creating federal protections against state abortion restrictions and bans.
● Urge Congress to pass further comprehensive legislation to protect abortion rights.