Senator Eldridge Statement of Support for ROE Act and expanding reproductive rights in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Nov 18th

As the Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Judiciary, I'm extremely proud to have worked so closely this session with the Senate sponsor Harriette Chandler of S.1209, An Act to remove obstacles and expand abortion access, known as the #ROEAct. The Joint Committee on Judiciary held a 10-hour hearing on legislation concerning reproductive rights on 6/17/19. Over the past two years, I’m proud to have worked closely with House Chair Rep. Claire Cronin on reviewing the legislation, meeting with key stakeholders, advocates, and the general public.

First introduced in 2019, this legislation will accomplish the main goal of making it clear that in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, abortion is healthcare. A woman will have the affirmative right to an abortion and any decision around reproductive healthcare is to be made between a patient and a doctor only. The amendment would improve healthcare for women, and remove legal, medical, and social barriers that disproportionately fall on women of color and women who are economically disadvantaged.

It has been an honor and a pleasure to work so closely with Senator Chandler on expanding reproductive rights in Massachusetts. Last session, we collaborated on her legislation, the ACCESS bill, to guarantee birth control for all Massachusetts residents, in response to the Trump administration eliminating free contraception under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Now, with a 6-3 majority of Supreme Court Justice deeply opposed to a woman’s right to choose, in large part due to unique maneuverings by right-wing conservatives over the past 5 years, it is absolutely critical that the Supreme Court decision, Roe v Wade, is made to be law in the Commonwealth. Read our Op-Ed here highlighting what’s at stake.   

As a Commonwealth, when we think about reproductive healthcare, I believe we find ourselves in a deep wellspring of rights that is intensely American. The freedom over your own body, and healthcare decisions. The right to decide how you want to start a family, and all of the freedoms that flow from the life you decide to live. Freedom from government overreach, and the chilling effect that has on your right to self-determination. And finally, the right to privacy which is the underlying principle of the Supreme Court’s Roe v Wade ruling. 

In each and everyone of our lives, we have triumphs and tragedies, progress and setbacks, tears of joy and tears of heartbreak. For women, this range of experiences of course includes the reproductive self. These beautiful and painful moments from this unique capability, and decisions that flow from it, are intensely personal. That is why it’s so important to protect these affirmative rights from government intrusion and society in general.

With the passing of this amendment, Massachusetts has codified reproductive rights, protected vulnerable populations, empowered women, created an environmental for healthier families, combated racial injustice, and made it loud and clear, that Massachusetts values are contrary to the values of the President, and the deeply conservative Supreme Court that Donald Trump and his right-wing colleagues and allies have helped create. 

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not thank the advocates across Massachusetts who have poured their blood, sweat and tears into advocating for this critical piece of legislation for two years now, including NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts, Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and all of the amazing advocates across Massachusetts, disproportionately women.