Two Years After a Total Abortion Ban, Lawmakers Pursue More Restrictions on Reproductive Health Care

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2024

Two Years After a Total Abortion Ban, Lawmakers Pursue More Restrictions on Reproductive Health Care

Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic Marks Anniversary of State Abortion Ban, Announces Record-Breaking Endorsements Ahead of 2024 Election

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CHARLESTON, W.V. – Today marks two years since the state’s law that bans abortion in nearly all circumstances went into effect – eliminating access to this essential health care for West Virginians in their home state. On the anniversary, Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic announced its largest-ever and most diverse slate of candidate endorsements for the 2024 general election, including a gubernatorial endorsement in West Virginia’s general election for the first time in the organization’s history.

Statement from Emily Womeldorff, Advocacy Campaigns Director for Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic in West Virginia:

“For the last two years, West Virginians have harbored a pain that cannot be overstated as anti-abortion politicians introduced bill after bill that drives us further into a reproductive health care crisis while ignoring soaring rates of preventable deaths and high health care costs for working Mountaineers. These injustices have not gone unnoticed and they will not go unchecked. 

Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic has endorsed more than 30 candidates running for state office in West Virginia — our largest and most diverse slate of candidates ever. In communities across our state, these candidates have risen up to challenge the cruelty of these anti-abortion politicians, champion reproductive freedom, and bring about a brighter future for West Virginia.

Every person across Appalachia must be free to decide if, when, and how they have children without politicians interfering. The only way to secure that future is to organize, show up, and demand it in November.”

West Virginia’s ban on abortion has prevented people from accessing health care in their home state, forcing them to travel long distances out of state, seek care outside the formal health care system, or remain pregnant against their will. 

Only 16 abortions were provided in West Virginia in 2023 – a 98% decrease from the previous year. In that same year, 18 bills seeking to further restrict reproductive health care were introduced in the state legislature, including several bills that sought to further restrict or remove the current abortion ban’s narrow exceptions for rape and incest.

View the full list of candidates endorsed by Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic. More endorsements will be added on a rolling basis.

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