Women’s Health
News & Video
Senator Collett Wants to Make it Easier for Pregnant People & Victims of Domestic Violence to Get a Divorce in PA
Harrisburg, Pa. − October 23, 2024 − To ensure domestic violence survivors and pregnant people have a pathway to divorce, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) plans to introduce legislation to reform Pennsylvania’s antiquated divorce laws, removing “fault-based” provisions and drastically reducing wait times.
Sen. Collett Reacts to SCOTUS Emergency Abortion Care Decision
PA Leaders Gather to Support Funding for Period Products in Public Schools
Harrisburg, PA − May 7, 2024 – Pennsylvania Senators, state Representatives, and others gathered for a press event to support and advocate for Governor Shapiro’s proposal to fund period products in public schools through this year’s budget. Nearly 1 in 4 U.S. students...
Protecting Abortion Access in Post-Roe PA
Senator Maria Collett Introduces Menstrual Equity Legislation
North Wales, Pa. – October 7, 2019 – Today, Senator Maria Collett (D-12, Bucks and Montgomery) introduced legislation to establish the “Pennsylvania Menstrual Equity Act,” to ensure that Menstrual Products (“MPs”) are made available in public bathroom facilities....
Women’s physical and mental health have been devalued for far too long, and it’s time we change that. As a member of the Women’s Health and Black Maternal Health caucuses, I’ve been working tirelessly in Harrisburg to tackle some of the top issues affecting women’s health across our Commonwealth. Some of my top priorities are:
Menstrual Equity
Every single Pennsylvanian should be able to access essential healthcare services and the items they need to live healthy, full lives. Yet 2 in 5 menstruators are struggling to afford period products in the U.S. It’s clear that period poverty must be treated as the critical healthcare issue it is.
I’ve been working with local nonprofits, county officials, and fellow lawmakers to ensure period products are affordable, accessible, and destigmatized in Pennsylvania.
So far, we have secured:
- $3 million in the 2024-2025 budget for period products in PA public school restrooms.
- No-cost period products in public county-owned restrooms in Montgomery County.
- No-cost period products in Pennsylvania prisons as part of the Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act.
Protecting Abortion Access
Every Pennsylvanian should have the freedom to decide what is best for themselves and their families, including the decision to get an abortion. Despite ongoing attacks on reproductive care by anti-choice politicians, abortion is still safe and legal in Pennsylvania, and I’ve been fighting to make sure this remains the case.
Prioritizing Black Maternal Health
Black birthing Pennsylvanians are disproportionately affected by maternal mortality and morbidity issues. As a member of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, I’ve been working closely with lawmakers in both chambers to ensure the PA Momnibus package moves through the General Assembly and to Governor Shapiro’s desk.
Learn more about the caucus’ priorities and the Momnibus package.
Abortion Access in PA
Is abortion still legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade does not change residents’ and non-residents’ right to access abortion services in Pennsylvania.
Under Pennsylvania law, abortions are legal through the end of the 23rd week of pregnancy and can occur after that time when the health of the pregnant woman is in danger. Both procedural and medication abortions are still legal in Pennsylvania.
More information on Pennsylvania’s abortion law can be found here.
Why do we need abortion access in Pennsylvania?
Women have many different reasons for obtaining an abortion, and often it’s for their own safety if their pregnancy poses health risks. No matter someone’s reasoning for obtaining an abortion, an abortion is a safe way to end a pregnancy that must remain safe and legal.
With extreme abortion bans on the rise across the country, states like Pennsylvania act as safe havens for birthing individuals seeking essential health care that is clearly a necessity for thousands of Americans:
- Abortions in PA among out-of-state residents rose nearly 41% in 2022, most coming from neighboring Ohio, Delaware, and West Virginia.
- In 2023, 171,000 people left their home states seeking an abortion in other states with abortion access.
- There were 34,838 abortions in PA since 2022 (a 15% increase from 2018)
Source: Gantz, Sarah, and Stephen Stirling. “Out-of-state Residents Drove an Increase in Abortions in Pennsylvania in 2022.” The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 23, 2024. https://www.inquirer.com/health/pennsylvania-out-of-state-abortion-rate-20240623.html
What are some barriers to abortion care?
Although medication abortion is safe and effective, many women have difficulties accessing care. Barriers to safe legal abortion include
- Money
- Travel logistics
- Limited clinics
- State restrictions
These factors all result in delayed care, negative mental health consequences, and the consideration of unsafe methods to end a pregnancy. Black and Brown communities and low-income earners are disproportionately impacted.
Have PA legislators introduced bills to restrict or ban abortion?
Yes, legislators have introduced multiple bills every session to restrict abortion access in Pennsylvania. In the 2023-24 session, those proposals include bills like:
- The Heartbeat Bill, House Bill 320 (Borowicz): This bill would prohibit any abortions from being performed if a fetus has a heartbeat.
- Pain Control for the Unborn, House Bill 753 (Bonner): This bill would require pain medication to be administered to a fetus prior to an abortion if the fetus is more than 15 weeks gestational age.
Legislation
I am proud to have introduced and cosponsored legislation that would prioritize and protect women’s health across the Commonwealth.
The following bills are proposed bills that have been formally introduced for the 2025-2026 Senate Session.
Recently Passed Legislation
Enhanced Insurance Coverage for Life-Saving BCRA Testing and Breast Cancer Screenings
Senate Bill 8
Ward/Robinson/Pennycuick
This act amends The Insurance Company Law of 1921 to remove out-of-pocket costs associated with genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndromes as well as supplemental breast screenings for women with a high lifetime risk of breast cancer.
Establishing the Women, Infants, and Children State Advisory Board
Senate Bill 721
Schwank
An Act establishes the Women, Infants and Children State Advisory Board to advise the Department of Health on its operation of programs to increase enrollment and utilization.
Maternal Morbidity
Senate Bill 262
Schwank
This act amends the Maternal Mortality Review Act, adding “severe maternal morbidity” to the list of reportable events within the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Proposed Legislation
The Pennsylvania Menstrual Equity Act
Senate Bill 612
Collett/Cappelletti
This bill would require menstrual products to be made available at no cost in public facilities operated by agencies serving populations who are young, low-income, homeless, or incarcerated.
Workplace Accommodations for Pregnant Individuals
Senate Bill 276
Cappelletti
This bill would make it unlawful for an employer to refuse an employee’s request for reasonable accommodation should a worker’s ability to perform their job functions be limited by pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition. It would also forbid employers from denying employment opportunities to employees based on their requests for accommodations.
Ensuring Insurance Coverage for Infertility for all Pennsylvanians
Senate Bill 272
Cappelletti
This bill would require certain employer-sponsored insurance plans in Pennsylvania to provide coverage for infertility diagnosis and treatment. Covered treatments would include medication, surgery, intrauterine insemination, and assisted reproductive technology.