Advocates, state leaders show support for proposed expansion of abortion access
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — A proposed expansion of abortion access in Rhode Island is renewing a debate in the State House.
Dozens of abortion-rights advocates joined Democratic leaders in Providence at the State House Tuesday afternoon.
They commemorated the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and called for increased abortion access in the Ocean State.
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This is the first anniversary since the court historically overturned Roe V. Wade over the summer.
"People with health insurance through Medicaid or the state should receive the same coverage for abortion to those private insurance," said Gretchen Raffa, of Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island. "It's time to finally make some legal right to abortion in Rhode Island accessible to all people."
In his proposed budget, Gov. Dan McKee included $630,000 to do just that.
The proposed Equality in Abortion Coverage Act would eliminate bans on abortion coverage statewide and allows insurance to cover the procedure for state employees and those on Medicaid.
"These are important health services for groups who can't access them now," McKee said.
Rhode Island Republicans oppose the legislation, saying it goes too far.
"I think I stand with the majority of Rhode Islanders which is we provide abortion coverage to state workers and those on Medicaid in the instances of rape, incest, life of the mother, and I think that those, most Rhode Islanders agree that that's necessary but they don't agree that we should be paying for a procedure that is not medically necessary," said Sen. Jessica de la Cruz.
This weekend, the Rhode Island Right to Life Committee is holding its own rally here at the statehouse.
They say they'll be commemorating the lives lost to legal abortion and opposing these legislative efforts.