As the daughter of a doctor, fighting for health care access has always been a priority. Having sole ownership over decision making on matters regarding bodily autonomy is a fundamental human right. I am proud to have twice received the Illinois Planned Parenthood Profile in Courage Award for passage of the Contraceptive Equity Act and HB40.
As states across the nation implement dangerous abortion bans, I led the fight to affirm a woman’s right to choose as a fundamental right. We did this by removing antiquated laws that made some forms of abortion care and types of contraception a crime.
As the lead sponsor of HB40, one of my proudest accomplishments was its passage, which ended discriminatory provisions in state law prohibiting access to abortion care for people insured by Medicaid. Access to abortion is a fundamental right, regardless of what type of insurance coverage one has.
With the passage of this historic legislation, the Illinois General Assembly sent an emphatic message that it will protect the right of all people to access reproductive health care.