TAMPA, FL – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) met with local health care providers and advocates to discuss the challenging state of abortion care and reproductive health freedom  just a year and a half after the constitutional right to abortion was taken away by an extremist Supreme Court, and abortion rights have consistently been under attack in Florida and across the nation.

“Everyone deserves the fundamental freedom to decide their own pathways in life. The anniversary of  Roe v. Wade provides an opportunity to call for the return of our rights and freedoms to determine when and if to have children in the face of Republican-imposed abortion bans and costly waiting periods. Congress should codify the right to abortion care up to the time of viability - the standard for over fifty years under Roe v. Wade until the constitutional right was taken away by an extremist Supreme Court. I heard today from dedicated individuals about the many barriers that providers and patients are facing regarding abortion care: mandatory waiting periods, nonsensical bans, dangerous emergencies and more,” said Castor. 

Castor continued, “Millions of women currently cannot access critical abortion care and providers are facing criminal penalties for providing that evidence-based care. These extreme bans also have consequences that extend beyond abortion, including women being denied prescriptions at the pharmacy and threats to contraception.”

“Republicans pretend to be a party that protects children and their families, but their actions speak louder than their words as they turn their back on families again and again by slashing resources for affordable housing, necessary health care, nutritious food, child care, breastfeeding support and more,” said Castor. “I will continue to fight on behalf of women and families in Florida and across America, supporting the right of everyone to have control over their bodies and their futures.”

Photos from the meeting can be found here.