Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey commends governor’s leadership on reproductive rights and urges swift legislative action to safeguard access to care

TRENTON, N.J. — Following Gov. Phil Murphy’s second-to-last State of the State address, Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey expressed its deep gratitude for his steadfast commitment to reproductive health and rights, including his efforts to ensure access to abortion and birth control in the state.

“We thank Gov. Murphy for his tireless leadership in advancing reproductive health and rights throughout his time in office,” said Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey Kaitlyn Wojtowicz. “Under his administration, New Jersey has served as a beacon of progress, ensuring that individuals can make decisions about their bodies, their health and their futures without government interference. His efforts to safeguard access to abortion care and birth control have improved the lives of countless New Jerseyans.”

From the moment he took office, the Murphy administration has played a crucial role in protecting reproductive rights during a time when these rights are increasingly under threat across the nation. The first bill Gov. Murphy signed into law restored funding for family planning services at providers across New Jersey. His administration has expanded access to birth control, invested in reproductive health care services in the state budget, and signed historic legislation protecting the right to reproductive freedom in New Jersey.

“Given the assault on health care freedoms we have seen across the country — especially, reproductive freedoms — we cannot slow down,” said Gov. Murphy during his remarks. “We must further secure our reputation as a safe haven for reproductive freedom.”

As our country prepares to reckon with an anti-reproductive freedom federal administration, Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey warns legislators not to rest on their laurels and is urging the New Jersey Legislature to act swiftly to ensure the state’s commitment to reproductive health remains unwavering.

“While we celebrate the victories we’ve achieved under Gov. Murphy’s leadership, there is much more to be done,” said Wojtowicz. “As the federal landscape shifts toward policies that could threaten access to reproductive health care, it is critical that New Jersey’s legislature takes action now. We urge them to pass the full Reproductive Freedom and Health Equity Bill Package without delay, so the governor can sign these important bills into law. This would fortify our state as a safe haven for reproductive freedom and continue the legacy of progress that Gov. Murphy has built.”

The Reproductive Freedom and Health Equity Bill Package includes key provisions aimed at expanding access to reproductive health services, ensuring comprehensive care for all New Jerseyans, and providing protections against potential federal rollbacks of reproductive rights. The legislation is an essential step in securing the future of reproductive freedom in New Jersey, particularly as challenges to reproductive health rights continue to grow nationwide.

“We cannot afford to wait,” said Wojtowicz. “New Jersey has the opportunity to lead the way for the nation in safeguarding reproductive health and rights. It is up to our legislators to act now, ensuring that future generations of New Jerseyans have the same — if not better — access to reproductive care as we do today.”

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Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey (PPAFNJ) is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization and the advocacy arm of the Planned Parenthood affiliates in New Jersey. We advocate for access to essential health care through education, activism, voter engagement, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy. For more information, visit our 00website at: www.ppactionnj.org.