Reproductive care is more than abortion

It seems that the efforts to enshrine reproductive access in the state constitution have been aborted, as the proposed amendments from the House and Senate failed to receive a Floor vote before our most recent cutoff. As I’ve said in other media outlets and during committee proceedings on the Senate’s version, I believe the issue of abortion access is settled in Washington state. In no uncertain terms, voters told us via initiative their policy preference on the matter.

My job is to represent my constituents and they have been clear that access to abortion is important. I stand by that. While my moral compass leads me to a different conclusion about life, I’m not going to demonize anyone or work to make access to abortion harder. Abortion is not something that I can personally support. What is challenging is the gray area, the nuance on when, who and how those decisions to end a pregnancy are made.

Public polling is clear that if people are given the choice between abortion access or no access, they choose access. But the myth about monolithic abortion acceptance ends there. If you dig a little deeper, you find that the public is a great deal more discerning than the advocacy class would have you believe. For as many of my constituents that support abortion rights there are those who hold varying views of disagreement and I must represent them too.

An honest assessment of the facts about abortion would reveal that we can find common ground on a tough subject without partisan heckling. We can reconcile a position that says life is valuable in the womb and should be protected, while also respecting women’s autonomy over their body and life choices. As the father of three successful women who’ve chosen motherhood, I have some insight to lend.

Unfortunately, challenging and nuanced issues tend to be oversimplified and overcharged when they reach Olympia. This fraught subject is no different. The push this year in the legislature, however, felt like it was more about performative politics than actually supporting women. That’s why I felt it was important to walk the walk.

For women struggling in pregnancy, I hope they choose life and the state should provide the support they need in motherhood. I’m proud that two, bipartisan pieces of legislation that I’ve sponsored were unanimously approved by the state Senate just recently and are now making their way through the House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 5580 directs the state Health Care Authority to create a postdelivery and transitional care program that allows for extended postdelivery hospital care for women struggling with substance use disorders. The other, Senate Bill 5581, would require the Insurance Commissioner to work with health care providers to come up with strategies to lower deductibles for maternal support services and postpartum care with the goal of making them deductible-free.

I want to support women so that choosing life is the easier option. Reducing costs and providing maternal care is a strong start.