State lawmakers must pass the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act

While there are many different opinions about abortion, among the most ludicrous, most harmful, most pervasive and most horrifying is the belief that politicians have the right to interfere in people's private, personal medical decisions. As abortion providers, we absolutely disagree.

The trusted relationship between a patient and their health-care provider is sacred. Politicians have no right to insert themselves — and their beliefs — in the exam room. Abortion is a safe, legal, common medical procedure that gives people the dignity to control what happens to their bodies and make decisions about their lives. We all deserve the opportunity to make our own personal health-care decisions without political interference.

Every day, abortion providers deliver compassionate and evidence-based care. They answer questions and give patients all their options. Decisions about abortion, just like any decision about if and when to start a family, are deeply personal. Abortion is an essential part of sexual and reproductive health care, and every Rhode Islander has the right to abortion.

Yet, our state laws keep abortion out of reach for thousands of Rhode Islanders. More than 86,000 residents of reproductive age are banned from using their health insurance to cover abortion care only because they are enrolled in Medicaid or on state employee insurance plans. By deciding what is and what is not covered by our health insurance, politicians are forcing their beliefs and making medical decisions for us.

We know the right to abortion is meaningless for anyone who can't access care. Patients with low incomes who rely on Medicaid might not be able to afford the out-of-pocket cost of abortion. Our Medicaid program is meant to expand access to health care, not make it harder for patients to get the care they need.

Politicians who oppose abortion access are completely out of touch with voters. Recent polling conducted by Planned Parenthood, and reported in The Providence Journal, demonstrates broad support for abortion access in Rhode Island. 72% of voters believe that patients enrolled in Medicaid and state employee insurance plans should receive the same coverage for abortion care as anyone who uses private insurance. The inequity is shocking, but there is a solution: we need to pass the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act (EACA).

Passing the EACA will keep politicians out of our private medical decisions and keep people in charge of decisions that affect their bodies. And two-thirds of voters agree — they want to see the EACA become law.

Together, we can work to expand access to abortion in our state. The Rhode Island Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Planned Parenthood of Southern New England are proud members of the Rhode Island Coalition for Reproductive Freedom, a collective of organizations and individuals fighting for equitable access to abortion care for all.

Abortion access shouldn't depend on how much money you have or what health insurance you use. We thank the governor for including funding for the EACA in his budget, and call on our champions in the General Assembly to act now and pass this bill.

Dr. Beth Cronin is R.I. section chair, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a clinical associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Gretchen Raffa is vice president, public policy, advocacy and organizing for Planned Parenthood of Southern New England.

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