Who gets to make decisions about your body? You, or the government?
That question has been at the center of the national conversation around abortion and reproductive rights for decades. Here in Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth Court recently gave a resounding answer: that decision belongs to you, regardless of how much money you make.
In a landmark ruling, the court struck down our state’s longstanding ban on Medicaid coverage for abortion care, finding it unconstitutional under Pennsylvania’s Equal Rights Amendment. In doing so, the court affirmed the fundamental truth that reproductive freedom cannot be reserved only for those who can afford it.
For decades, Pennsylvania maintained a two-tiered system of reproductive health care where those with financial means could access the full spectrum of care, and those without were denied that same autonomy. With this ruling, the court has made clear that discrimination of this kind violates our state constitution.
As a woman, I felt a profound sense of relief reading this decision. It recognizes that bodily autonomy is not a privilege reserved for some, but a fundamental right that belongs to all of us. The court’s acknowledgment that reproductive decision- making is protected under our state constitution is a powerful reminder that our laws must respect the dignity and equality of every Pennsylvanian.
While this ruling is a victory, it is nowhere near the end of the fight. This case may still be appealed, and we know that reproductive rights remain under sustained attack across the country. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, we have seen a wave of extreme restrictions take hold in states nationwide. In some places, abortion is banned outright. In others, access has been so severely limited that it is effectively out of reach for many.
Here in Pennsylvania, the legislature has the opportunity and duty to codify the rights to bodily autonomy into law once and for all. That is why I am proud to be a co-sponsor of H.B. 1957, the Reproductive Freedom Act. This legislation would amend our state constitution to explicitly guarantee the right to reproductive freedom, including the right to choose or refuse an abortion, contraception and fertility care, without discrimination. The state House passed this bill in December and it has sat idle in the Senate since.
The Commonwealth Court’s decision underscores exactly why this legislation is necessary. While the court found that our constitution already protects these rights, leaving them subject to ongoing legal challenges creates uncertainty and instability. Constitutional protections should be clear, explicit and enduring. We cannot allow them to be chipped away through shifting interpretations or political agendas.
By advancing this constitutional amendment through H.B. 1957, we would give Pennsylvanians the opportunity to vote directly on whether these fundamental rights should be permanently protected. Opposing this effort is, quite simply, saying that the people should not have a voice in decisions that affect their own bodies and futures.
When access to reproductive care is restricted, it is low-income individuals, young people and marginalized communities who bear the brunt. We have already seen devastating impacts in other states, including patients traveling hundreds of miles for care, providers leaving communities altogether, and tragic cases where individuals are denied life-saving treatment.
We should be doing everything in our power to ensure that Pennsylvania is a place where people can access the care they need, when they need it, with- out fear, stigma or financial barriers. We cannot rely on courts alone to protect our rights. Legislative action is essential to ensure that these protections are not only recognized, but secured for future generations.
The Commonwealth Court’s ruling is a meaningful step forward. But it is also a call to action. We must build on this momentum by passing the Reproductive Freedom Act and enshrining these rights in our state constitution. We must continue to push back against efforts to undermine bodily autonomy. And we must remain steadfast in our commitment to equality, dignity and freedom for all.
Your rights should never depend on your gender, your ZIP code, your income or who happens to be in power. They should be guaranteed. If you have questions about how I’m working to protect reproductive rights, or any other issues, I encourage you to call my office at (412) 321-5523, email [email protected], or visit us at 658 Lincoln Ave. in Bellevue.
