Vermont health care organizations support reproductive rights in light of Supreme Court striking down Roe v. Wade

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