Statement from Ai-jen Poo, Executive Director of Caring Across Generations on the would-be 50th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade:
“Everyone should have the opportunity and means to care and make decisions for themselves, their families and futures. No matter what it looks like or the role we play, family is at the heart of what we value most. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has taken away one critical way people can manage their lives, health, and wellbeing. Forcing someone to carry a pregnancy against their will can have devastating and lasting consequences for them and their family. Abortion bans push women and families deeper into poverty and especially harm those working to make ends meet, queer people, young people, and people of color. Our health care system already fails disabled people, and Black, Indigenous, and other people of color. Barriers to abortion care make that worse.
“When politicians restrict abortion care, they take away people’s ability to control their lives, bodies, and futures, and their ability to live with dignity. And too often policies and programs don’t address the health and economic needs of women, families, and caregivers. It doesn’t have to be this way.
“We need Family First policies and programs that support families with the tools they need to do well and build a good life — such as good wages, childcare, paid leave, equitable health care, aging and disability care. We demand access to abortion care without barriers. We join the calls for bold solutions that ensure abortion is available, affordable, and supported for anyone who needs it.”
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