More than 20 states are preparing to restrict access to reproductive health care and freedom, according to an October 2021 report from pro-choice think tank Guttmacher Institute, Lawmakers passed the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act Monday, with Republicans in both chambers speaking out against the bill. The Senate approved the measure by a 23-15 vote, and the Assembly took a vote of 46-22, with eight abstentions.. They cited the anticipated cost to taxpayers, although a fiscal analysis of the bills impact was never circulated. 2. The law makes no exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest and allows citizens to sue abortion providers and anyone who helps a woman get an abortion, including anyone who helps pay for it or drives a woman to a clinic. Human traffickers have to pay for the abortions as a result. WebAbortion in New Jersey is legal at all stages of pregnancy. Follow New Jersey Monitor on Facebook and Twitter. Google Translate is an online service for which the user pays nothing to obtain a purported language translation. [8], In January 2021, governor Phil Murphy signed the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act into law, preserving the legal right to obtain an abortion, fulfilling a reelection campaign promise. But a fierce debate over the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act continues among local advocates, conservatives, religious leaders and lawmakers. [The law] excludes provisions from the original Reproductive Freedom Act that ensure all New Jerseyans, including our undocumented community members, individuals who lack insurance coverage, and individuals whose insurance does not cover the cost of abortion care and birth control can access the reproductive health services they need, Vice President of Public Affairs Kaitlyn Wojtowicz said. Have you seen that baby in a mamas womb? Murphy introduced the bill, the Reproductive Freedom Act, in October. To this end, NCJW- NJ looks forward to working with the Governor and all legislators to pass needed equity and access provisions., As independent abortion providers who have served our community for over forty years, and now, through a pandemic,Cherry Hill Womens Center recognizes that the passage of the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act is a historic moment for the people in our state, the patients who we care for every day. New Jersey pro-life organizations recently united to stop the legislation through a new coalition, Working Together for NJ. These laws would be addressed in [26], Seventeen states including New Jersey use their own funds to cover all or most "medically necessary" abortions sought by low-income women under Medicaid, thirteen of which are required by State court orders to do so. A group of Catholic religious leaders also expressed profound disappointment and deep concern about the new law. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23, Governor Murphy Announces Support for Reproductive Freedom Act, Michael Sol Warren | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, appoint a conservative replacement to the U.S. Supreme Court, worked to reduce infant and maternal mortality. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. WebIn addition to guaranteeing the right to an abortion in state law, a spokesman for Murphy says the New Jersey proposal would remove some restrictions on abortion that Murphy campaigned for reelection last year vowing to protect and expand abortion rights. It is a strong statement guaranteeing the full range of reproductive rights, including abortion, passed at a time when other states are eliminating or threatening these rights. We strive to hold powerful people accountable and explain how their actions affect New Jerseyans from Montague to Cape May. In 2022 taxpayer funding to Plan Parenthood doubled to 19.9 million. Onesfuture plansare put at risk, like going to college or building a career. Today, I am a living example that being pro-life is not a political liability anywhere in America."[2]. Under Murphys administration, the NJ Board of Medical Examiners also voted to weaken safety standards for abortion earlier this fall. A 2022 state law made abortions after 24 weeks illegal and added several requirements, like ultrasound and parental WebThe legality of abortion in the United States and the various restrictions imposed on the procedure vary significantly depending on the laws of each state or other jurisdiction. Marie Tasy, executive director of pro-life group New Jersey Right to Life, said the law signs a death warrant for thousands of innocent children.. Guns are displayed at Shore Shot Pistol Range gun shop in Lakewood Township, New Jersey, U.S. March 19, 2020. (Courtesy of New Jersey Governor's Office). In the final analysis, this bill rejects the beliefs of New Jersey voters, opting instead to satisfy and subsidize the Big Abortion Industry. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Todays travesty in Texas shows that New Jersey cant take a wait-and-see approach when it comes to abortion rights and the U.S. Supreme Court, said Kaitlyn Wojtowicz, vice president of public affairs of Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey. Sophie Nieto-Muoz, a New Jersey native and former Trenton statehouse reporter for NJ.com, shined a spotlight on the states crumbling unemployment system and won several awards for investigative reporting from the New Jersey Press Association. Speaking in Teneack Thursday, Weinberg recalled the first bill Murphy signed when he came into office four years ago, one that allocated $7.5 million to womens access to health care.. At a time when access to reproductive health care is under attack across the country, New Jersey has shown what it means to stand up for its residents. With the majority of the members of the nations highest court politically conservative, many believe when the court decides this year whether to uphold a Mississippi abortion ban after 15 weeks that it is likely to overturn Roe, the 1973 decision that recognized a womans right to privacy to have an abortion. This law will make it easier for women to access contraceptives to prevent pregnancy from happening in the first place, which is one of the best ways to help women maintain control over their own bodies and their lives., Many other medications are available to order long term supplies to ensure individuals are able to take them without interruption. Some of the most common state-level abortion restrictions are parental notification or consent requirements for minors, limitations on public funding, mandated counseling designed to dissuade individuals from obtaining an abortion, mandated waiting periods before an abortion, and unnecessary and overly burdensome regulations on abortion facilities. Murphy in his remarks called himself a devout Catholic and said his own journey and evolution of this issue has not been easy, adding he has trust for others, especially for those with limited means for whom restrictions on access to reproductive health care has the most devastating effect., A few pro-life protestors shouted during the signing ceremony, and held signs reading Babys lives matter.During her remarks, Planned Parenthood CEO Alexic McGill Johnson said the small minority is loud, but we are louder, we are stronger, and we are just as relentless., by Sophie Nieto-Munoz, New Jersey Monitor January 13, 2022. Today, we are codifying those rights into law in New Jersey, said Lt. It also would get rid of the 1974 state conscience clause that protects medical workers who object to aborting unborn babies. With this legislation, ifRoe v. Wadewere overturned, the right to reproductive choice would be protected in New Jersey. "[1] MacKenzie went on to say about review committees, "No woman will consent to be taken to the hospital for possible examination and interrogation unless she desperately feels the need for help. Gregory Quinlan of Center for Garden State Families. WebNew Jersey`s Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, passed on July 13, was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy with the votes of 23 of the 24 Democrats in the Senate and 46 of the 52 Democrats in the House and no Republican votes. WebNow, New Jersey state lawmakers are pledging to introduce legislation that would enshrine the right to abortion and other reproductive health care for Garden State residents. From 2018 to 2019, abortion rates decreased or did not change among women aged 24 years; however, the abortion rate increased among those aged 25 years. [25], The number of abortion clinics in the state has been on the decline in recent years, going from 100 in 1982 to 88 in 1992 to 41 in 2014. To the men speaking out against a womans right to decide their own futures, Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, D-Hudson said moments before the vote: Until you have a vagina, you have nothing to say.. With a womans right to choose underRoe v. Wadeunder attack in the U.S. Supreme Court, it is critical that we have enacted legislation rooted in the New Jersey Constitution that clearly and unequivocally protects freedom of reproductive choice, including the right to access contraception, the right to terminate a pregnancy, and the right to carry a pregnancy to term,said former Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, who was the lead sponsor of the bill. New Jersey has guaranteed residents will retain the right to an abortion regardless of whether the U.S. Supreme Court rolls back reproductive rights. Murphy has been a close ally of the billion-dollar abortion industry throughout his administration. Phil Murphy, after signing legislation codifying abortion rights in NJ. The state requires all abortions to be provided by licensed physicians, but lacks waiting periods or consent [3], With states like Alabama and Georgia passing restrictive abortion laws in early 2019, some businesses announced they would boycott these states. And when I tell you that the picture they sent me when he was just 28 weeks old, that it looks just like he looks on my little medallion here I want you to ask yourself, Can you abort that child?, Assemblyman Jay Webber Abortion is the leading cause of death in the state of New Jersey. On Friday, Gov. Nikita Biryukovcontributed to this story. WebThe bills, A3974 and A3975, shield health care providers from other states inquiries and prohibit the extradition of any person who comes to New Jersey seeking legal abortion [2], As of 2017, Washington State, New Mexico, Illinois, Alaska, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Jersey allow qualified non-physicians to prescribe drugs for medical abortions only. Further, expanding access to and affordability of reproductive health care, including contraception, is an essential part of our efforts to solve our states maternal health crisis. [33] As long as the minor has obtained the required information such as risks, benefits, and alternatives, the minor may give informed consent to these services without parental consent. There was a a 9% increase in the abortion rate in New Jersey between 2014 and 2017, from 25.8 to 28.0 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age. As much as today is a declaration of our unyielding commitment to the women of our state, we also know it is another day in our ongoing fight to protect the progress we have made. However, far too many New Jerseyans remain unable to access this fundamental right. Phil Murphy on Thursday signed a bill into law that preserves the legal right for women and girls to obtain an abortion in New Jersey, a protection many say is necessary The Reproductive Freedom Act will remove barriers to reproductive health, as well as expand access to contraception while reaffirming choice. July 1, 2022: Gov. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. With a womans right to safely choose to end an unwanted pregnancy now being threatened, we must counter that threat by putting the policies in place that help to protect the health of women,said Senator Shirley Turner. The states highest court struck down the law, calling the right to choose whether to have an abortiona fundamental right of all pregnant women, including those entitled to Medicaid reimbursement for necessary medical treatment., By granting funds when life is at risk, but withholding them when health is endangered, the statute denies equal protection to those women entitled to necessary medical services under Medicaid, Justice Stewart Pollack wrote at the time. New Jersey has always stood up for a womans right to choose, said Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, D-Bergen. Sign up for Patch email newsletters. The new law (S49) also authorizes the state Department of Banking and Insurance to study whether the cost of an abortion is an impediment to low-income and uninsured women getting one. Pro-abortion rights advocates regard the decision as even far more protective of a womans right to choose than Roe. Religious Data, Demographics and Statistics", "States pushing abortion bans have highest infant mortality rates", "Abortion Surveillance United States, 2014", "Abortion Surveillance United States, 2016", "NJ Budget 2022: Women's health care to get funding boost", "Abortion rights supporters' voices thunder at #StopTheBans rallies across the nation", "Minors' Access to Confidential Reproductive Healthcare", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Abortion_in_New_Jersey&oldid=1138969164, Short description with empty Wikidata description, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Abortion support to protect the Woman's Health, Abortion support in Pregnancy caused by Rape, Abortion support for Fetal Health problems or Birth Defects, Abortion support if a Woman doesn't want to be Pregnant, Abortion support after 6 Weeks of Pregnancy, ^number of abortions per 1,000 women aged 1544; ^^number of abortions per 1,000 live births, This page was last edited on 12 February 2023, at 17:45. Primary sponsors for S49/A6260 include former Senate Majority Leader Weinberg, former Senate President Steve Sweeney, and Senators Greenstein and Gopal. The broader measure also would have required insurers to cover contraceptives, and increased the number of health care professionals who can terminate pregnancies. Its purpose was to try to reduce the number of abortions at the hospital performed for therapeutic reasons. The Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act was a significant victory for abortion advocates, who fought against abortion restrictions in the Garden State. We have failed as a society when a response to any pregnancy is fear rather than joy. In light of ongoing attacks on reproductive rights across the country, codifying a declaration of strong, unwavering rights is crucial. [18], In 2014, Steven C. Brigham lost his medical license and was ordered by theNew Jersey Board of Medical Examiners to divest his ownership in six abortion clinics. These laws expand and protect reproductive freedom in New Jersey at a time when the U.S. Supreme Court considers whether to limit or overturn the ruling in Roe v. Wade. Polls consistently show thatmost Americans oppose late-term abortionsandtaxpayer-funded abortions. But the price rises exponentially into the thousands of dollars later in the pregnancy. In fact, its more than deaths due to heart disease and cancer combined. The law, which prevents employers from firing employees who support Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Jones RK, Witwer E and Jerman J, Abortion Incidence and Service Availability in the United States, 2017, New York: Guttmacher Institute, 2019. Phil Murphy and legislators work to make New If the study finds this to be true as organizations like the ACLU-NJ have argued the department may enact rules that would require state-regulated plans, like Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and the programs that cover public teachers and state employees, to pick up all costs. These numbers represent no change in clinics from 2014, when there were 79 abortion-providing facilities overall, of which 41 were clinics. That year, 23% of women in the state aged 1544 lived in a county without an abortion clinic. Contact Editor Terrence McDonald for questions: info@newjerseymonitor.com. WebWade into state law, date back to 2020, when former President Donald Trump nominated Amy Coney Barrett to serve on the Supreme Court. Murphy also signed a separate law (S413) thatrequires contraceptives to be prescribed 12 months at a timeand forces state-regulated insurers to cover the cost. In New Jersey, the following restrictions on abortion were in effect as of June 28, 2022: 1. Access to abortion shouldnt depend on what state you live in in the first place, but New Jersey must respond to the threats to abortion rights like those in Texas and the U.S. Supreme Court.. [2], In September 2018, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker released documents related to Brett Kavanaugh's position on abortion when Kavanaugh was serving as a staff member in President George W. Bush's White House. Gov. This is a day of celebration in New Jersey. Legal challenges to the reproductive rights of Americans, which have steadily increased in recent years, threaten to limit access to family planning services. The Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act is a comprehensive bill that guarantees women will continue to have the right to make their own personal decisions on their reproductive care, regardless of how the U.S. Supreme Court rules,said Senator Linda Greenstein. WebUnder New Jersey Admin. As we have said throughout our advocacy, to exercise ones right to abortion, contraceptives and carrying a pregnancy to term, one must be able to actually access the full range of health care.. But others said its a far cry from what they have been fighting for over the past few years a major expansion of reproductive rights in New Jersey. The law was passed in anticipation of a possible Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which was considered likely after the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the court. These provisions included a mandate for insurance to cover abortion, prenatal care, and birth control without any out-of-pocket costs, breaking down a major financial barrier that many New Jerseyans face, Wojtowicz continued. Unfortunately, insurance companies are not always willing to cover a 12-month supply of birth control, said Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz. Lawmakers in New Jersey have, on the last day of their legislative session, voted to pass a bill which expands abortion access in the REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz March 3 (Reuters) - The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists says A human fetus does not have the capacity to experience pain until after viability, and that is 24 weeks, at least. This legislation delivers on the promise of equitable access to reproductive healthcare for all New Jersey residents, Weinberg said. In addition, Murphy signed a separate law (S413) requiring medical professionals in New Jersey who prescribe contraceptives to write prescriptions for 12 months at a time, and for state-regulated insurers to cover the cost. At a time where the fundamental right to access reproductive health care is being challenged across the country, I am proud that New Jersey is taking bold action to safeguard these rights and expand access for all.. Planned Parenthood, the Cherry Hill Womens Center, the ACLU of New Jersey and New Jersey Policy Perspective all support the legislation, as does First Lady Tammy Murphy. Between January 1, 2011 and July 1, 2019, states enacted 483 new abortion restrictions, and these account for nearly 40% of all abortion restrictions enacted by states in the decades since Roe v. Wade. The bill passed the New Jersey Senate 23-15 and cleared the Assembly 46-22, with abstentions from five Democrats and three Republicans. Everyone deserves the ability to make their own personal health choices. Meanwhile, several Assembly Republicans criticized the bill after its passage in the Legislature on Monday. NEW JERSEY A womans right to have an abortion is now cemented in New Jersey state code. Now, New Jersey state lawmakers are pledging to introduce legislation that would enshrine the right to abortion and other reproductive health care for Garden State residents. The study would look at the glaring differences in communities concerning the rate of abortions.. -Read Full Dislaimer, Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act Codifies Reproductive Choice into State Law. The reality is that, ever since Roe v. Wade was decided, abortion care has been out of reach for far too many people in New Jersey. In New Jersey, we trust each individual person to make their reproductive choices for themselves, Murphy said at a news conference on Thursday. Even if women have insurance, the cost of co-pays, deductibles and other fees may make an abortion too expensive, according to literature from Thrive New Jersey, a coalition of groups who support the legislation The reproductive policy think tank the Guttmacher Institute says 53% of women who have had abortions paid out of pocket. The Thrive New Jersey coalition had similar concerns. Will his clinics stay open? We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. We appreciate the efforts of the legislature and the Governor to pass this historic legislation and we call on these representatives to do more to eliminate the remaining barriers which fall hardest on people working to make ends meet, people living in rural areas, undocumented people, and LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities disproportionately impacted by systemic racism and reproductive oppression., Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy, Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency. 2023 Guttmacher Institute. "[5] The US Supreme Court's decision in 1973's Roe v. Wade ruling meant the state could no longer regulate abortion in the first trimester. Thus, the statute impinges upon the fundamental right of a woman to control her body and destiny. June 28, 2022: A circuit court overturned an injunction allowing a 2020 law banning abortion at detection of a fetal heartbeat, usually at six weeks, to go into effect. Our coalition will continue to advocate for meaningful policy changes through legislative and administrative action, so that everyone in New Jersey regardless of where they live, their income, or immigration or insurance status can make decisions about birth control, prenatal care, and abortion with dignity.. What does it mean? These advocacy groups have vowed to push for a more ambitious bill in the latest legislative session, which began Tuesday and lasts two years. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Weinberg resigned last week and Vainieri Huttle lost a primary election for her seat against district-mate, now-state Sen. Gordon Johnson, D-Bergen. Sadly, too often this fear is born out of the mothers uncertainty she will not be able to provide for herself and her child the resources necessary to live a flourishing life. [16] In March 2016, there were 26 Planned Parenthood clinics in the state. According to Murphys announcement, the bill will explicitly state that all New Jerseyans have the right to make their own decisions when in comes to abortion, birth control and pregnancy-related care. Kaitlyn Wojtowicz, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey, said such legislation is more important now than ever, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to lay bare the unequal access to health care seen across the state. Phil Murphy. [] I told them that they were wrong, that the voters would accept the sincerity of my beliefs even if they felt differently. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. And, no matter the obstacles, we will only move forward, the First Lady said. We urge our states leaders, through legislation and regulatory action, to not only affirm reproductive freedom, but make it truly accessible by lifting financial barriers to ensure we do not leave any communities behind. ", Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey applauds the strong declaration of reproductive rights in S49/A6260, as well as the expansion of birth control access through S413/A4698,saidKaitlyn Wojtowicz,Vice President of Public Affairs, Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey. WebThe Guttmacher Institute estimates that the 2020 abortion rate for New Jersey was 29.2. The state Senate and Assembly both introduced versions of it over 330 days ago, but it still hasnt been heard in committee. Phil Murphy signed A6260/S49. Gov. WebThe new law ( S49 ), dubbed the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, will also permit the state Department of Banking and Insurance to conduct a study on whether the [1], In 2017, 48,110 abortions were provided in New Jersey, though not all abortions that occurred in New Jersey were provided to state residents: Some patients may have traveled from other states, and some New Jersey residents may have traveled to another state for an abortion. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote to lawmakers Thursday warning that the amendment would become a powerful tool against pro-life abortion laws.. Rigorous scientific studies have found that the connections necessary to transmit signals from peripheral sensory nerves to the brain, as well as the brain structures necessary to process those signals, do not develop until at least 24 weeks of gestation.. Learn The foundation of the new law is built on 1982 state Supreme Court decision, Right to Choose v. Byrne. According to the ACLU-NJ, the law will protect abortion rights by expanding existing state constitutional legal protections recognized by the New Jersey Supreme Court. Published: Oct. 02, 2020, 8:51 p.m. and abortion access in America. [30], Current Governor Phil Murphy passed a bill into law approving the allocation of $9.5 million in state taxpayer money to Planned Parenthood after President Donald Trump barred clinics that tell patients where they can obtain abortions or clinics offering abortions from receiving federal aid. Contact Gov. I am incredibly proud to see New Jersey take this important step forward., With Governor Murphys signature today, New Jersey reaffirmed and protected the right to abortion, saidACLU-NJ Executive Director Amol Sinha. Phil Murphy signed a bill Thursday codifying the right to an abortion into state law, a move abortion rights advocates say is necessary as the U.S. Supreme Court has signaled it may overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision later this year. The law makes no exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape Former Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, lead sponsor of the bill in the Senate, also praised Thursdays signing. The current health crisis has reinforced just how important it is to make sure everyone can get the care they need, including reproductive health care, no matter what, Wojtowicz said. Republicans have been vocal in their opposition to the bill, arguing it goes too far in a state with high abortion rates. Making it easier and more likely for women to access birth control is a crucial component of the family planning services our state is taking steps to protect., Access to reproductive health care and a womans right to choose are fundamental rights in New Jersey,said New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. Tasy urged people to contact their legislators and demand that they reject the pro-abortion bill. State funding through Medicaid was available for poor women needing abortions, with 10,277 state funded abortions in 2010. [12] During the 1990s, Steven C. Brigham opened his first abortion clinic in the state in Wyomissing. He is joined by, from left< former state Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, state Senate President Nicholas Scutari, Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, and former Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg.Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Adva. We strive to hold powerful people accountable and explain how their actions affect New Jerseyans from Montague to Cape May.