Today U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion today for Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt:

“Women and their health care providers across the country can breathe easier today after the Supreme Court struck down an outrageous Texas law that closed clinics and blocked medical access to women's health services.  The Supreme Court has clearly reaffirmed the constitutional right of women to make their own health care decisions, including access to the full range of medical services.  Florida Governor Rick Scott and the Republican-led Legislature should take note, reverse course on laws they passed that clearly are unconstitutional  ‘undue burdens’ on women and their health clinics and doctors.

“This ruling sends a loud and clear message to politicians in Congress and in states like Texas and Florida that continue to try to restrict access to health care for women.  Instead of engaging in political games and witch hunts, we should work together on meaningful policy that protects women’s access to health care, expands access to contraceptives and works to decrease the number of unplanned pregnancies.”

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor has been a longtime champion for a woman’s right to choose.  In January, she joined a bicameral group of members of Congress in filing an amicus brief to uphold women’s constitutionally protected reproductive freedom in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt.  The amicus brief highlighted how extreme state laws like HB2 have worked to erode women’s constitutionally protected health care rights, and urged the Supreme Court to continue to uphold women’s rights as affirmed under Roe v. Wade and protected under Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

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