Celebrating the Reproductive Health & Access to Care Act Victory!
Basic Rights Oregon is celebrating a huge win for transgender and reproductive healthcare access in our state. After a tumultuous legislative session, last week Governor Tina Kotek signed into law House Bill 2002, now known as the Reproductive Health & Access to Care Act.
This law will expand access to gender-affirming care, abortion, and contraception. It will do so by expanding public and private insurance coverage for many gender-affirming care services currently labeled as “cosmetic,” such as hair removal or facial affirmation surgeries, and ensuring Oregon doctors won’t be barred from providing medically necessary care because of extremist laws in other states.
"Thousands of trans Oregonians can finally access the care they need.”
Gov. Kotek signing this bill into law will have a huge impact on Oregon’s LGBTQ2SIA+ residents. As BRO’s transgender justice program manager Seth Johnstone said at last week’s signing ceremony, "Thousands of trans Oregonians can finally access the care they need.”
The Basic Rights Oregon team is proud to have advocated for this bill from inception to passage. We were far from alone; key partners included Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon, the ACLU of Oregon, Cascade AIDS Project and Fair Shot Oregon. We also have unending appreciation for our LGBTQ2SIA+ equality champions in the legislature who stood firm on trans rights during a difficult session, including Speaker Dan Rayfield, Senate President Rob Wagner, Rep. Rob Nosse, Senate Minority Leader Kate Lieber, Rep. Andrea Valderrama, Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, all members of the Oregon Legislature LGBT Caucus, and every Oregon lawmaker who voted to advance HB 2002.
Finally, we owe a big debt of gratitude to BRO’s supporters! Whether you testified in favor of HB2002, called or emailed your lawmakers, sent a pink slip to walk-out senators, protested the walkout in Salem, amplified our efforts on social media, volunteered, donated to our work, or simply exist as a trans Oregonian or outspoken cis ally, you share in this victory.