With the fate of the landmark Roe v. Wade hanging in the balance, at least 26 states are likely to ban abortion, with perhaps more to follow. Abortion access is crumbling nationally, which means states that have protected abortion care will increasingly become “safe havens” if Roe falls. Now more than ever, it’s vital that states like Delaware, which have guaranteed abortion rights, pass laws that will allow patients to access those rights without barriers.
State lawmakers recently introduced a bill, HB 455, to allow Advanced Practice Clinicians (APCs), like nurse practitioners and physician assistants, to provide procedural abortion care. HB 455 builds upon the successful passage of HB 320 earlier this year, which allowed APCs to provide medication abortion care. APCs are well-qualified clinicians, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has long supported expanding their ability to provide the full range of abortion care. Procedural abortions are safe to perform, with a significantly lower rate of complications than labor and delivery, which APCs already routinely perform.
Delaware has already been a leader by codifying abortion rights in state law. Soon, states like Delaware will likely see an uptick in the number of patients traveling here for their abortions – and with an uncertain fate for abortion rights in our neighboring states, many traveling patients may rely on Delaware for legal abortions.
By expanding the list of medical professionals who are empowered to provide the full range of abortion care, Delaware can ease the burden on physicians and improve the quality of overall reproductive health care. Now is the time to be proactive and take additional steps to expand abortion access so that critical health care will become increasingly accessible to all who need it.
Take action
To pass this legislation, we need to make our voices heard. Click the link below to email your state senator and state representative in support of legislation to expand abortion access.
