Davids Highlights Ongoing Fight to Protect Reproductive Health Care at Kansas Panel Discussion
OVERLAND PARK, KS — Yesterday, Representative Sharice Davids joined a Planned Parenthood Great Plains event to reflect on the current state of reproductive health care in Kansas and the continued challenges ahead. The event, which featured leaders in medicine, law, and community advocacy, marked three years since Kansans overwhelmingly rejected the restrictive abortion amendment.
“Reproductive health care is essential health care — and it must remain a decision between a person and their doctor, free from political interference,” said Davids. “Even after the clear message Kansans sent three years ago, we continue to see dangerous efforts at the state and federal levels to restrict access to care, including recent federal policies that cut Medicaid and block funding to providers like Planned Parenthood. I remain steadfast in fighting these attacks by supporting legislation that restores access and protects the health and dignity of every Kansan.”
"The August 2 vote showed what’s possible when Kansans lead with compassion, but three years later, access to care is still inaccessible to some and under threat for all," said Emily Wales, President & CEO, Planned Parenthood Great Plains. "We’re proud to stand with Rep. Sharice Davids and all those working to turn that historic vote into meaningful progress not just in law, but in people’s lives."
Davids recently voted against President Trump’s extreme budget, which includes severe Medicaid cuts and a provision prohibiting Medicaid payments to providers offering abortion services, disproportionately impacting Planned Parenthood. In response, she helped introduce the Restoring Essential Healthcare Act, which would repeal this harmful provision.
Despite the clear will of Kansans expressed three years ago, Republican lawmakers in the Kansas Legislature have continued to push extreme measures aimed at restricting abortion access. While several of these laws have been struck down by the Kansas Supreme Court for violating constitutional rights, the persistent threats and political attacks create an environment of fear and uncertainty for reproductive health care providers and patients alike. Davids condemns these relentless assaults and stands firmly with Kansans in defending their fundamental rights.
Additionally, Davids reintroduced the Expanding Access to Family Planning Act, which aims to secure mandatory federal investment for the Title X Family Planning Program — a vital resource for low-income individuals seeking reproductive health services, including STI testing and birth control. Davids continues to support critical bills such as the EACH Act, which seeks to repeal the Hyde Amendment, and the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would establish a federal right to abortion.