State Representative Kelly Cassidy wants to keep you informed about legislation that could affect your reproductive health care. Below is a fact sheet put together by Planned Parenthood.
Together Planned Parenthood and Representative Cassidy are working to protect your right to choose. If you have any question please feel free to contact our full time constituent service office at 773-784-2002 or via email at repcassidy.com
HB 4085 (VOTE NO) passed out of the Agriculture Committee last week. It would mandate that a physician must offer an ultrasound and the opportunity for the patient to view it prior o performing an abortion. This legislation is part of a nationwide effort by anti-choice politicians to deter women from having abortions. The Illinois Chapter of the American College of Obstetricians, Illinois State Medical Society, and Gynecologists and the Illinois Department of Public Health are opposed to HB 4085. It is highly unusual for a law to force a doctor to offer a particular test or procedure regardless of whether or not it is medically indicated. We know that this is really about shaming and demeaning women seeking reproductive health. The sponsor even stated in committee that the bill is designed to get women to change their minds about having an abortion. Therefore, we strongly oppose this legislation and urge you to do the same.
HB 4117 (VOTE NO) also passed out of Ag last week. It would require that any facility where 50 or more abortions are performed be licensed as an ambulatory surgical treatment center (ASTC). The Illinois Chapter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Illinois Department of Public Health are opposed to HB 4117. The Illinois Department of Public Health testified in committee that this legislation is not medically necessary. Abortion regulations should be grounded in evidence-based medical practices that advance the public health. We know that this legislation isn’t about women’s health. It’s about ending access to abortion care. This bill will make providing abortions so expensive that clinics will close. In fact, it is likely that this legislation would require us to relocate at least one of our health centers which provides a full range of reproductive health care including well-woman and family planning services. This would mean that women in need of all kinds of health care would lose access while we try to sell the current building and find a new site that would meet the building requirement sin the ASTC code. Thus, we oppose HB 4117 and ask for your firm vote against it.
HR 744 (VOTE YES) is awaiting a hearing in the House Human Services Committee. It recognizes Reproductive Rights Awareness Week. The resolution points out all of the things that we already know such as that family planning helps prevent abortions and that access to contraception improves the health of women and their families. It is so nice to see a positive piece of legislation in the House! I hope you will join us in supporting HR 744.