Protecting access to reproductive health care services
Posted on Nov 8, 2022 in Capitol Connection, Featured, Main
Gov. Ige with Dr. Reni Soon (left) and state Rep. Linda Ichiyama.
Governor Ige has added more state protections through executive order for anyone seeking an abortion or for health care providers who provide abortion services. “Abortion is legal in Hawai‘i,” said the governor at an Oct. 11 news conference. “Reproductive rights are protected by state law and the state constitution. We will not cooperate with any other state that tries to prosecute women who receive abortions. And we will not cooperate with any other state that tries to sanction medical professionals who provide abortions in Hawai‘i.”
The governor continued, “Effective immediately, departments and agencies under my authority shall not provide any information, including medical records, data, or billing, to another state seeking to impose penalties upon a person or entity related to reproductive health services in Hawai‘i.” Gov. Ige joins the governors of Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, who have adopted similar measures. Hawai‘i was the first state in the nation to decriminalize abortion over 52 years ago.
Read more in the November/December Capitol Connection newsletter.