For Immediate Release
July 6, 2017
Contact: Alexa Mauzy-Lewis, Camino PR
212.255.2575 / alexa@caminopr.com
NEW YORK—The National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) celebrates the passage of the Reproductive Health Equity Act (HB 3391) in the Oregon state legislature this week. The bill allocates over $10 million to provide reproductive health services such as contraception, post-partum care, and other family planning services for low-income residents, as well as $500,000 to expand reproductive health care for immigrants who are not currently eligible for the Oregon Health Plan. It also requires insurers to cover abortions at no cost to patients, regardless of income, gender identity, or citizenship status.
NAPAWF Executive Director Sung Yeon Choimorrow issued the following statement in response:
“The National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum applauds Oregon’s success in passing a groundbreaking bill that expands access to abortion during a time in which other state’s lawmakers have been making explicit efforts to restrict the rights of women, gender nonconforming people and undocumented immigrants. Possibly facing an Affordable Care Act (ACA) repeal, this victory removes discriminatory barriers to accessing crucial reproductive healthcare so that all Oregonians can decide if and when to become a parent.
“This bill directly impacts the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, who account for 27.4% of foreign-born residents in Oregon. Moreover, it is the result of an inclusive campaign that elevated the voices of Oregonians of color. States like Oregon are taking the lead on legislation that ensures access to comprehensive reproductive health.
“Comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including abortion, should be accessible to people regardless of their gender identity or expression, income, or immigration status. NAPAWF applauds Oregon for paving the way for expanded healthcare and passing legislation that helps AAPI people make their own medical decisions and determine their futures.”
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The National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) is the only multi-issue, progressive, community organizing, and policy advocacy organization for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women and girls in the U.S. NAPAWF’s mission is to build a movement to advance social justice and human rights for AAPI women and girls.