Gov. Wolf, AG Shapiro Visit Montgomery County To Talk Reproductive Health

COLMAR, PA — Gov. Tom Wolf joined Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro and other elected officials during an appearance in this central Montgomery County community late last week to talk about the consequences of abortion bans.

The governor also took the time to highlight his recently signed executive order that allows out-of-state residents to seek reproductive healthcare services in the commonwealth without the fear of prosecution.

"Here in Pennsylvania, I will not stand for this attack on women and pregnant people," Wolf said in a statement. "I took action by signing the executive order because everyone deserves access to health care. While governor, I will do everything in my power to protect that right."

Wolf is nearing the end of his second and final term in office, and an election to determine his replacement will take place in November.

Shapiro, the current state attorney general who is the Democratic nominee to succeed Wolf, was there with Wolf and the others last Friday at The Women's Center of Montgomery County to address the abortion issue from a legal standpoint.

"I vow to use every tool I have in the Attorney General's office to defend doctors' ability to practice medicine, and a patient's ability to access health care in Pennsylvania," Shapiro said in a statement. "We know other states may try to interfere with Pennsylvania patients and doctors, and we stand ready to beat them if they try. Under PA law, women have the ability to access reproductive health care without intimidation or threat. I will continue to defend Pennsylvania women and as long as I serve this great commonwealth, the doors to clinics will be open."

Wolf signed Executive Order 2022-01 last month, which is designed to ensure that out-of-state residents can seek abortions and other reproductive healthcare services in Pennsylvania without fear of prosecution.

Among other things, the executive order gives the governor the ability to decline any request from other states to issue warrants for the arrest or surrender of any person charged with a criminal violation stemming from the reproductive healthcare services the person received "unless the basis of the criminal charges are also criminal offenses under Pennsylvania law."

The news about the executive order came after some states that decided to limit or outright ban abortions in the wake of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling said they might consider attempting to pass laws that would hamper the ability of their own residents' to seek abortions across state lines.

"The Supreme Court's decision to dismantle Roe v. Wade has invoked fear and uncertainty across our nation but especially in states where access to reproductive health care services is being questioned and, in some cases, banned," Wolf said last month at the time he signed the executive order.

Last week, during the Montgomery County appearance, Wolf was joined by other advocates seeking to ensure reproductive healthcare services remain available to women in Pennsylvania.

"Understanding and supporting the fact that abortion is healthcare allows everyone to do what is best for themselves and their families," State Rep. Mary Jo Daley, a Montgomery County Democrat, said in a statement. "Legislators who support laws that protect the right to abortion are not forcing anyone to have an abortion. Rather, they are supporting the women, the girl, the pregnant person to have bodily autonomy — to make the best decision for themselves."

Democratic State Sen. Maria Collett, also of Montgomery County, also attended the event in the Lansdale area, saying that, "ensuring safe, legal, and accessible reproductive care for everyone, particularly for vulnerable populations, is good public health policy."

It wasn't just Democrats who appeared at the event; Republican State Rep. Todd Stephens, of Montgomery County, also attended.

After the program, he told local media that he remains committed to the idea that women's healthcare decisions should remain between an individual patient and her doctors.

Explaining why he recently voted against Senate Bill 106 - a package of proposed constitutional amendments that included an amendment stating there is no right to an abortion or taxpayer dollars for abortion in the state constitution — Stephens told the Bucks County Courier Times that this would be the first time where the constitution would actually take away, and not bestow, a right upon the citizens.

"I just think that's wrong on so many levels," Stephens was quoted as saying in the article.

During the event, Wolf pointed out that abortion bans have been known to increase rates of maternal mortality, as well as cause financial hardships for individuals, families and the economy, and put those individuals who are in abusive relationships at more risk.

"Research shows that women in abusive relationships are more likely to need abortion services and making it harder to access abortions can trap women in violent relationships during pregnancy — a time when abuse often escalates," Wolf stated. "It is important for Pennsylvanians and our neighbors in other states to know that abortion access will remain legal and safe in the commonwealth as long as I am governor."