Vermont Business Magazine A diverse coalition of Vermont health care organizations denounces the Supreme Court opinion which overturns both Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey in a 6-3 opinion. The group includes the state's largest hospital system (University of Vermont Health Network) and the largest health insurer (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont), as well as provider organizations and advocates.
"We strongly support the preservation of access to abortion services in the United States.
"Every person should have the right to control their own health care decisions, including the right to abortion care. As health care organizations, we strongly believe that abortion services should be treated like any other health care service. The consequences of overturning Roe v. Wade will block millions of people from the health care they need, especially those who have less ability to take time from work or pay the expenses to travel.
"We are proud of Vermont’s achievement in 2019 putting into law protection for Vermonters’ access to safe, legal abortion, and want Vermonters to know that they still will have access to abortion services here in Vermont.
"But we know there is more work to be done. With more and more states blocking individuals’ rights to health care and in light of the Supreme Court opinion, we urge Vermonters to vote in November to support Article 22, the Reproductive Liberty Amendment that will amend the Constitution of the State of Vermont to ensure that every Vermonter’s right to personal reproductive liberty is protected into the future.
American Academy of Pediatrics – Vermont Chapter
Vermont Academy of Family Physicians
Vermont Psychiatric Association
Stephanie Winters, Executive Director
Bi-State Primary Care Association
Mary Kate Mohlman, Director of Vermont Public Policy
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont
Sara Teachout, Corporate Director, Government and Media Relations
Office of the Heath Care Advocate, Vermont Legal Aid
Michael Fisher, Chief Health Care Advocate
OneCare Vermont
Victoria Loner, Chief Executive Officer
Physician Assistant Academy of Vermont
Sarah Bushweller, PA-C, President
Planned Parenthood Vermont Action Fund
Lucy Leriche, VP Vermont Public Affairs
University of Vermont Health Network
Jason W. Williams, Network Director, Government and Community Relations
Vermont Medical Society
Jessa Barnard, Executive Director
Vermont Nurse Practitioners Association
Michelle Wade MSN/Ed, APRN, NP-C, ACNPC-AG, Chair Government Relations
Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care
Catherine Fulton, Executive Director
MONTPELIER – June 24, 2022