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Reproductive Choice

Reproductive Choice


Position:

Protect the constitutional right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices. (1)

 

The League of Women Voters of Indiana’s Position on Policy on Reproductive Choices

 

The League of Women Voters of Indiana believes that public policy must affirm the constitutional right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices.

 

The League of Women Voters of Indiana supports the National League in areas of Reproductive Choice

 

National League of Women Voters Positions Supporting Reproductive Choice

  • Individual Liberties Position 

    The LWVUS believes in individual liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. The League is convinced individual rights now protected by the Constitution should not be weakened or abridged.

     

  • Reproductive Rights Position

    The LWVUS believes that public policy in a pluralistic society must affirm the constitutional right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices.

     

  • Health Care Position

Every U.S. citizen has a right to affordable, quality health care, including birth control and the privacy to make reproductive choices. 

 

  • Family Planning

The LWVIN supports the use of Title X funding as originally intended and opposes currently proposed regulations that would alter the mix of providers and the effectiveness of services to support the reproductive health and child-bearing decisions of the targeted population. (2,3)]



2. Title X of the Public Health Service Act provides funds to state health departments and non-profit health agencies that subcontract with service sites that offer contraceptive services, screening, treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and referrals to primary care providers for low-income women, men and adolescents.  Title X funding cannot be used in programs where abortion is a method of family planning.

3. Sobel L, Rosenzweig C, Salganicoff A.  Proposed changes to Title X: implications for women and family planning providers. Kaiser Family Foundation Issue Brief.  June 28, 2018. (heeps://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/proposed-changes-to-title-x-implications-for-women-and-family-planning-providers)





History of the League of Women Voters Involvement in Policy Positions regarding Reproductive Choice

For many years, the LWVIN (as well as a few individual local Leagues) have been members of the Health Access & Privacy Alliance (HAPA).  HAPA met regularly during the legislative session to monitor proposed legislation on reproductive/family health.  Joanne Evers served as the first liaison and then Erin Kelley served over 10 years on the HAPA committee. During that time, they routinely provided testimony at various committee hearings and sent out statewide action alerts. (4)

 

The Indiana League continues to be a member of HAPA.  

 

In addition since 2019 the Indiana League has been a member of the Indiana Reproductive Freedom Roundtable, brought together under the leadership of ACLU and Planned Parenthood. Representatives from the following organizations have participated: PPAIK (Fort Wayne and South Bend), HAPA, AAUW, Whole Women’s Health Alliance, ACLU, NOW (Indiana, Indianapolis, Northwest IN, and Monroe County), Indy Feminists/clinic escorts, IN Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, , Planned Parenthood of Indiana & Kentucky, Younger Women’s Task Force of Greater Lafayette, Fort Wayne Feminist Action Council, the IN Minority Health Coalition, and League of Women Voters (Indiana and Greater Lafayette).  

 

Roundtable members share legislative developments and upcoming actions at regular virtual meetings during before and during each legislative session.



4 For example, Erin Kelley, 2009 Testimony in opposition to SB89; 2011 Testimony in opposition to SB328 and 457.