Statement of The Very Reverend Katherine H. Ragsdale, Interim President & CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF) on the passing of West Virginia’s anti-abortion Amendment 1:
Today, West Virginians passed Amendment 1, setting the stage for the government to strip away their reproductive rights and those of their neighbors.
Not only does Amendment 1 weaken the reproductive rights protections in the West Virginia State Constitution, but it also means West Virginians who receive their health insurance through the state can no longer use their insurance to obtain abortion care. Withholding coverage for abortion care creates profound hardships for women and families, particularly for those who already face significant barriers to receiving high-quality health care. We hear about this devastating impact every day from women calling our Hotline who are struggling to obtain the abortion care they need—especially in states like West Virginia which have only one abortion clinic.
We are incredibly disappointed that this ill-advised amendment passed. However, we will continue working with our members and our Hotline to try to help women obtain the abortion care they need.
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The National Abortion Federation (NAF) is the professional association of abortion providers. Our members include individuals, private and non-profit clinics, Planned Parenthood affiliates, women’s health centers, physicians’ offices, and hospitals who together care for approximately half the women who choose abortion in the U.S. and Canada each year. Our members also include public hospitals and both public and private clinics in Mexico City and private clinics in Colombia. Our mission is to ensure safe, legal, and accessible abortion care, which promotes health and justice for women.