PA Lawmaker Working on Bill To Support Abortion Resources

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Pennsylvania Rep. Melissa L. Shusterman said she is introducing a legislative package that will end the practice of funding organizations that do not provide information about abortion to women.

“Women deserve an honest, full set of options and services when they turn for help when managing their pregnancy,” Shusterman wrote in a newsletter released Thursday

Shusterman, who represented portions of Chester and Montgomery counties, said public funding should be going to organizations that provide all health care options for pregnant women.

Shusterman, a Democrat, represents the 157th district, which includes parts of Phoenixville, Schuylkill, Tredyffrin, Chester County and Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County. On Dec. 1, Easttown and Willistown township will be added to the district.

Shusterman began working on this legislation in January before a draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion in a Mississippi case was released to Politico, which if it becomes the final opinion would overturn Roe vs. Wade, a landmark 1973 decision legalizing abortion nationwide.

The draft opinion said that the states, not the federal government, would have the right to regulate abortions.

The final opinion had not been released.

Since the 1990s, Pennsylvania has provided taxpayer money to crisis pregnancy centers.

Shusterman said the crisis pregnancy centers are organizations that purport to provide medical services to pregnant women, but instead engage in deceptive practices to prevent women from having abortions.

She said the legislative package seeks to rectify this issue by ending the practice of funding these organizations and using those funds for family planning organizations that actually meet women’s health needs, including abortions.