PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Gov. Phil Murphy has outlined steps that he said will help protect and support women and health care providers in New Jersey when it comes to reproductive rights.
A recent leak of a Supreme Court document hinted that the landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade could be overturned and that the court would give individual states the right to determine policy on abortion and reproductive rights for women. That means such policy could vary state by state.
Murphy revealed ideas that he said would protect not just people who live in New Jersey, but people coming from outside the state's border.
"We will not be cooperating with any out-of-state investigation into health care providers that seek to punish anyone, patient, provider, counselor, friend, Uber driver, you name it, for providing abortion care,” said Murphy.
In another proposal, he wants to see a health access fund made to help bring funding to health care providers who need financial support for training, security, and resources for reproductive health.
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Murphy also hit home on two points he said were left out of the final Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act he signed into law in January. That law codifies that, according to the text of the legislation, “the right to reproductive choice is a fundamental right enshrined in the State Constitution, that this right is independent of the United States Constitution.”
Read greater details about the legislation from the text of the act below.
"The first part codifies into state law regulatory changes that expand New Jersey's pool of potential abortion providers,” he said of his first planned addition. That pool would include advanced practice nurses, midwives, and physician assistants.
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“The second part mandates that insurance plans in New Jersey cover abortion, with no cost-sharing or out-of-pocket costs,” Murphy added.
"Taking these steps will not only ensure that all women have access to the reproductive rights enshrined in New Jersey law, but will also send a message to women across the nation that we simply will not go backwards."
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