Senator Hassan Highlights the Importance of Protecting Reproductive Freedom at Congressional Hearing

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) highlighted the importance of protecting reproductive freedom at a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing yesterday. Before the hearing, Senator Hassan and Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Tina Smith (D-MN) held a press conference on the issue as well.

“By overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court took away a fundamental freedom for millions of Americans,” said Senator Hassan at the press conference. “What is at stake is whether or not women will continue to be free and equal citizens in the United States of America. Whether we believe that the Declaration of Independence’s promise that we are all created equal – which means equally able to make our own critical, personal, health care decisions – whether that includes our daughters as well. The world’s greatest democracy cannot let the women of America become second-class citizens.”

At the Senate Committee hearing, Senator Hassan and colleagues discussed the damaging impact of abortion bans on women and doctors. “Abortion bans are impacting multiple facets of women’s health care,” said Senator Hassan. “Miscarriage is common and… it can be devastating. One in five pregnancies in the United States results in a miscarriage. In places where abortion bans are in place, some women experiencing miscarriages who need immediate medical attention are being denied the health care that they need because doctors fear criminal penalties if they treat these women.”

Senator Hassan asked Dr. Allison Linton, Chief Medical Officer at Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin and Fellow at Physicians for Reproductive Health Milwaukee, about how abortion bans are putting the health of women who have miscarriages at risk. Dr. Linton said that doctors are being forced to try and understand the legality of certain care options rather than what is the best care for patients.

To watch Senator Hassan’s hearing questions, click here.

Senator Hassan is focused on protecting reproductive freedom, voting to enshrine Roe v. Wade into law, and speaking out about what’s at stake for women’s reproductive health in New Hampshire with the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Earlier this year, Senator Hassan and the New Hampshire Congressional Delegation hosted a press conference with Planned Parenthood of New England to highlight the impact that abortion bans have had in New Hampshire. Last year, Senator Hassan also cosponsored legislation to protect a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions.

###