Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) toured the Bellevue Planned Parenthood Clinic and joined abortion care providers and advocates for a roundtable discussion on protecting and strengthening reproductive health care freedom amidst unprecedented attacks on reproductive rights. The event was a part of House Democrats’ Reproductive Freedom Day of Action.

While Washington protects abortion access through state law, the Supreme Court's decision has impacted our state’s reproductive and abortion health care services. Planned Parenthood affiliates in Washington have noted more out-of-state patients seeking care here. Clinics in Eastern Washington witnessed a 25% rise in total abortion patient visits in January 2023 compared to the prior year. There has also been a 75% increase in patients from Idaho in January 2023 compared to January 2022.

Anti-abortion advocates continue to push for national restrictions and bans on abortion access. They are asking federal courts to restrict access to the abortion medication Mifepristone, which has been used safely and effectively for over four decades. A final ruling against this medication would curtail its use in Washington and other states.

“No one is immune to the consequences of right-wing extremists’ attacks on abortion care, not even in Washington. Health care decisions should be made by people in consultation with their medical provider, not politicians,” said DelBene. “We cannot stop fighting until reproductive health care freedom is restored and protected nationwide, ensuring people have the freedom to make their own health choices.”
 
“We are so grateful for Congresswoman DelBene's support and for the opportunity to give her a tour of our Bellevue Healthcare Center,” said Nicole Kern, Government Relations Manager, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates Washington. “At a time when anti-abortion extremists are consistently attacking reproductive rights, we are proud to have Congresswoman DelBene here and in Congress to say, ‘I’m for Planned Parenthood.’” 

DelBene is a leader of the House Pro-Choice Caucus and an original cosponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would prohibit any law that places unnecessarily burdensome restrictions on access to abortion services.

Watch DelBene’s opening remarks here.