If handed, the payments would broaden entry to focused well being care and defend out-of-state sufferers from prosecution.
Democratic lawmakers in Colorado simply unveiled the Safe Access to Protected Health Care Package, which might legally enshrine abortion entry and gender affirming care within the state. These bills, if handed, would broaden Coloradans’ entry to reproductive, abortion, and gender-affirming well being care and defend out-of-state sufferers from investigations and prosecutions.
In April 2022, Colorado lawmakers, led by Sen. Julie Gonzales (D), handed the Reproductive Health Equity Act, which legally protected Coloradans’ proper to abortion. After the reversal of Roe in June, Governor Jared Polis additionally signed an executive order that prohibited state businesses from cooperating with out-of-state prosecutions regarding abortion care that occurred within the state.
Voters enthusiastically endorsed these insurance policies within the 2022 midterms by solidifying democratic majorities within the Senate and Home. Senator Gonzales , who won re-election in 2022, is currently Majority Whip and the principle sponsor of the Protected Entry to Protected Well being Care Package deal’s ‘shield law, which is able to defend out-of-state sufferers from prosecution.
“Colorado voters turned out on abortion rights for the midterms,” said ProgressNow Government Director Sara Lu Loflin. “It was their high concern and so they gave our policymakers a transparent mandate to strengthen abortion entry on this state.”
These protections have made Colorado a refuge for abortion access in part of the nation the place surrounding states like Wyoming, Arizona, Nebraska, and Utah have enacted abortion restrictions and bans. In 2022, Colorado abortion suppliers reported an elevated demand, nearly doubled from the earlier yr, for abortion care from out-of-state sufferers.
The Protected Entry to Protected Well being Care Package deal can be a response to the concerted legislative attack on transgender rights occurring throughout the nation. Neighboring states akin to Wyoming, Arizona, Nebraska, and Utah have superior anti-trans laws focusing on transgender youth and drag performers.
“Whereas different states try to restrict or utterly dismantle our rights as trans folks — we’re enshrining them into state legislation,” said State Rep. Brianna Titone (D), Colorado’s first openly transgender representative.
Consultant Titone lately made information for calling out her Republican colleagues for making demeaning and derogatory comments in the direction of her and different transgender folks throughout a latest debate regarding a possible ratification of the state’s Equal Rights Modification.
“Whether or not you consider me, or folks like me, ought to exist — I do exist.” Titone stated. “And I’m your equal on this chamber. I achieved the identical factor you probably did to be right here, and I proudly signify all of my constituents in the middle of my work on this chamber.”
On March 8, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was celebrated by transgender advocates for taking executive action and making Minnesota a trans refugee state. The signed government order won’t solely safe Minnesotan youth’s entry to gender-affirming care, however will also protect families who journey from out-of-state to entry healthcare that could be criminalized the place they’re from. Colorado LGBTQ advocates have applauded Colorado legislators for following Minnesota’s instance and transferring to guard transgender youth.
The legislative package deal has additionally been counseled by teams together with the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity, COBALT, New Era Colorado, and Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, who partnered with lawmakers to introduce the legislative package deal.
“These payments have been created along with suppliers, sufferers, and group members to make sure that we’re addressing the problems most crucial to our communities,” mentioned Dusti Gurule, president of COLOR. “This package deal represents one other step ahead to make sure the wants of our communities are being addressed.”
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