Did you know Pennsylvania enforces a politically imposed 24-hour waiting period on accessing abortion?
This law is on the books despite research affirming that waiting periods harm patients by potentially increasing medical risk, compounding financial and logistical burdens, and increasing the risk of intimate partner violence. These harms are disproportionately experienced by rural residents, young people, and people with low incomes.
Right now in Pennsylvania, we have another state law that forces women seeking abortion care to receive biased “counseling” via a script. Notably, at least 24% of the statements in Pennsylvania’s mandated biased counseling script are medically inaccurate or misleading, according to a panel of experts in human anatomy.1
Accessing timely healthcare can be hard enough without the government mandating dangerous delays and forcing doctors to provide misleading medical information. No other medical procedure has biased counseling and waiting period requirements. The assumption behind these laws is that we can’t make good decisions about our bodies, families, and lives without the government telling us what to do.
When the Pennsylvania House of Representatives returns later this month, legislators will consider HB 1801 (Shusterman), a bill that will remove both the counseling and waiting period requirements. This is the first time such a bill has been introduced in the Commonwealth, and we want to hear your thoughts.
Our neighbors in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York don’t need to sit through counseling or wait 24 hours to get the care they need. It’s time for Pennsylvania to catch up.
Stay up to date on policy priorities & action alert opportunities by signing up here!
Our vital work to protect and advance gender equity and justice is only possible because of supporters like you who understand the stakes. Will you make a tax-deductible donation of $30 or more today? Click here to donate.
