JUDGING THE SYSTEM:WOMEN UNDER ASSAULT. AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN…
Women have been under assault since the dawn of time and make no mistake – this isn’t ancient history. It’s a consequence of political systems and policies that prioritize control over justice. We are witnessing policies that strip away autonomy, punish providers, and treat reproductive care like a felony in progress. And let’s be clear: in some states - Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Alabama - abortion is a felony! If you’ve got a uterus, the government has an opinion.
This administration has even betrayed the women who are serving in the military protecting our freedoms. In a devasting rollback, the Department of Defense (under Trump’s Defense Secretary Pete “Whiskey-gate” Hegseth) rescinded key protections for service members seeking reproductive care. Gone are the travel reimbursements, the administrative leave, and the compassionate discretion from commanders. Now, if you’re stationed in a state with a ban, you’re on your own with no support and no coverage. The Military Times breaks down what this order means. It’s worth the read!
Since the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, abortions have remained legal in our Commonwealth, but those protections are anything but secure. There are no state constitutional or statutory protections for abortion in PA. In fact, the state’s official policy is to “encourage childbirth over abortion…and extend legal protections to the unborn wherever possible.” The only thing keeping access to abortion as an option is a supportive Governor Josh Shapiro. Governor Shapiro has issued executive orders that block cooperation with out-of-state investigations targeting abortion providers; they shield providers from professional discipline. And he has directed agencies to educate the public on reproductive health services.
However, Pennsylvania still enforces several restrictive measures including:
Mandatory 24-hour waiting period after state-directed counseling designed to discourage abortion.
No public funding for abortion through Medicaid, unless in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment.
Sex-selective abortion ban, which has been criticized for its discriminatory impact especially on Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) women.
So, while Pennsylvania hasn’t joined the ranks of states like Texas with total bans, it’s far from a reproductive rights utopia.