Congresswoman Lee Leads Legislation to Help Women Find and Access Reproductive Care
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) introduced the bicameral Reproductive Health Patient Navigator Act, which creates a federal grant program to fund patient navigators, such as community-based organizations, who can help women access reproductive health care services. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.
Today, abortion remains safe and legal in Nevada. Yet, for women who live in states that have dramatically restricted access to abortion, options for reproductive care have become increasingly limited. Planned Parenthood clinics in Las Vegas have seen a 37% increase in out-of-state patients while clinics across the West have seen increased wait times, as clinics work to meet the demand. The Silver State's eight in-person abortion providers continue to work tirelessly to ensure that women can access the services they need. However, increased demand on these services in Nevada, combined with a significant shortage of obstetricians/gynecologists (OB/GYNs), who provide critical health care services to women before, during, and after pregnancy, highlights the importance of connecting women with the resources they need across the nation.
The Reproductive Health Patient Navigator Act helps alleviate this strain by empowering health care organizations to connect women with reproductive care services, including medically and factually accurate health services, coordinating financial resources to help cover potential travel costs, and helping women understand their health insurance coverage options. Modeled on existing cancer service programs that have proved successful at connecting cancer patients with care, this bill bridges the gap between patients and providers at a time when extremists are doing everything in their power to keep them apart.
"While abortion remains safe and legal in Nevada, women seeking reproductive care here and in other states are struggling to access these critical services," said Congresswoman Susie Lee. "As threats to access persist at the state, local, and federal levels, I'm proud to champion legislation that establishes a proven framework for reproductive care and helps patients – whether in Nevada or not – navigate available resources, wade through misinformation, and find the services they desperately need."
"Far-right extremists are continuing to attack reproductive rights and we need to be doing all we can to get women the necessary support, regardless of if they live in states that have eliminated abortion services," said Senator Cortez Masto. "My legislation will support programs that can connect those in need with critical reproductive health care in pro-choice states like Nevada."
"The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade triggered a wave of state abortion bans, putting people's health and lives at risk. Across the nation, we continue to see legislators attempt to restrict abortion and criminalize those who provide abortion care, creating a challenging and dangerous environment for navigating the healthcare system," said Deirdre Schifeling, National Political Director at the ACLU. "This legislation would provide critical resources for organizations across the country that are helping people access lifesaving reproductive care."
You can find more information about the Reproductive Health Patient Navigator Act here.
Representing the Third Congressional District of Nevada, Congresswoman Lee has been a fierce advocate for reproductive rights. She has been vocal about how threats to these rights impact Nevadans, from women serving in the military, to attacks on medication abortion, to joining a 253-member amicus brief to prevent another dangerous Supreme Court ruling. Last month, Congresswoman Lee signed a discharge petition to force a vote on the Women's Health Protection Act, which would codify a woman's right to choose into federal law.