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Women's Health Education Program (WHEP) Blog Reproductive Justice on the PA Ballot in 2022

Growing Fetus

This article includes discussion of abortion that may be challenging for some readers.

February 3, 2023
By Kristen Ampig, Drexel University College of Medicine

On June 24 2022, the United States Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right for a woman to choose a safe medical procedure that grants reproductive freedom and justice.1 Reproductive justice is defined as the “human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities.”2 The Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health decision to overrule Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey set back reproductive justice to 1973 in 13 states that passed trigger laws. Nearly one in three women in the United States now have limited access and must travel to receive fundamental health care. The women of low socioeconomic statuses will be left behind, and women of color, who are already facing higher risks of maternal morbidity and mortality, are forced to risk their lives.4 Moving forward from this tragic step back in reproductive justice requires action from each state and citizen, especially in the midterm primaries.

Pennsylvania was yet again on the forefront for determining whether a woman’s right to fundamental health care will be protected in the state and the national level. Reproductive justice was on the ballot with the PA Senator and Governor races of 2022. During the Pennsylvania Senate debate on October 25, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D) clearly stated he believes that “the choice for abortion belongs between you and your doctor,” while his republican opponent Dr. Mehmet Oz insists that “local political leaders” should be part of that decision.5 Fetterman promises to solidify into law that he will protect reproductive rights and will support federal funding to help women to travel for abortion. Although Dr. Oz states he will reject federal laws over abortions, he proclaims to be “100% pro-life,” which threatens a woman’s right to choose. In terms of protecting a woman’s right to make their own decisions on abortions at the state level, the governor’s race comes into play. A month after Roe v. Wade was overruled, PA Gov. Tom Wolf (D) signed an executive order protecting reproductive rights and health care providers involved.6 PA Democratic governor candidate and state attorney general Josh Shapiro will continue defending a woman’s right to choose, as he lists this first on his campaign policies, while his Republican opponent, Senator Douglas Mastriano, has proposed an abortion ban without exceptions since 2019 and supports murder charges for violations.7,8 These differing views emphasize the pivotal role of this election and the people’s call to action to vote to protect women’s reproductive rights.

Although opposing political parties may allude to a solution of black or white, the complicated matter of abortion requires a gray or more colorful solution that is encompassed by the right to choose and protection of health care services. Pregnancy is not without risk in terms of maternal and fetal health outcomes, social effects on the lives of the current children and family, and the woman’s autonomy on her body and life.4,9 Studies have shown the causal relationship of abortion access and positive economic outcomes, such as improved educational attainment for women of color.9 Evidence shows that abortion access empowers women to make educated and safe choices for their life and family’s well-being. Women are the experts in their own situations to make these decisions with their providers, not lawmakers. Fortunately, Pennsylvanians proved their dedication to women’s right to reproductive justice, liberty, autonomy and privacy on November 8, 2022, with the victories of Lt. Gov. John Fetterman for the Senate and Josh Shapiro as the next governor of Pennsylvania.9 The next fight for Pennsylvanians will be in striking down Senate Bill 106, which threatens the state constitutional right to abortion and might come to referendum in May 2023.10

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Women's Health Education Program
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