New York must pass the Reproductive Health Act

As I write this, Brett Kavanaugh is almost certain to be confirmed to the Supreme Court.

Then it is only a matter of time before Roe vs. Wade is overturned. At that point, abortion will no longer be a right guaranteed by the constitution, and it will be up to each state to decide whether women will continue to have access to abortion services. This is the ultimate in government interference in the most highly personal of decisions.

This is why New York State must pass the Reproductive Health Act (RHA). The RHA would codify the rights guaranteed by Roe into NY State law. Versions of the RHA have passed the NYS Assembly several times in recent years, only to get stuck in the health committee of the NYS Senate. Our state senator, Terrence Murphy is a member of that committee, and he has voiced his opposition to the RHA, citing his religious convictions. Mr. Murphy is fully entitled to his religious beliefs, but he is not entitled to impose them on the people of New York. Nearly 80% of New Yorkers are in favor of protecting the right of women to make their own decisions about their reproductive health.

I am glad that we will have a clear choice on Election Day. We can choose to keep a senator who legislates his religious beliefs, or we can elect Pete Harckham. Pete is solidly pro-choice, and trusts women to make their own decisions.