FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2020
Congresswoman speaks in very personal terms about why access to reproductive health care is so important to her and her constituents
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, for the first time in nearly 30 years, the U.S. House of Representatives held a hearing on protecting women’s access to reproductive health care.
The hearing focused on the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would create a nationwide safeguard against bans and medically unnecessary restrictions on the Supreme Court affirmed right to abortion.
Access to reproductive health clinics is personal for Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán. During the hearing she relayed the story of three of her sisters and the choices that were available to them when they were pregnant in their teenage years. Two made the decision to give birth, while the third chose to terminate her pregnancy.
“This was an important life decision that all three of my sisters made, and they were all grateful they had the ability to make the choice that was best for them,” Congresswoman Barragán said.
[See video clip of Congresswoman Barragán telling the story of her sisters]
When she was in her teens, her sisters’ experience led Congresswoman Barragan to appreciate access to reproductive health clinics for herself.
“Seeing the experience of my sisters, I went to a clinic at a young age to learn my options and become as informed as I could in case I ever had to make the same deeply personal decision my sisters had to make. I decided I had to find a clinic,” Congresswoman Barragán explained.
“I didn’t have much money, but it was just so important, as a young person, to have that opportunity to go and get access to health care. But many people in low-income communities and communities of color don’t have access to health care. Access is something that we’ve been fighting for and access is not easy to find – especially if you’re 14 or 15-years old and just want to get some guidance.”
Congresswoman Barragán then asked Dr. Yashica Robinson, Medical Director of the Alabama Women’s Center for Reproductive Alternatives, how TRAP (targeted regulation of abortion providers) laws impact low-income women.
[See video clip of Congresswoman Barragán’s question and Dr. Robinson’s poignant response]
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Nanette Diaz Barragán is proud to represent California’s 44th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Florence-Firestone, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, San Pedro, South Gate, Walnut Park, Watts, Willowbrook and Wilmington.