We’ve been telling you about HB 4012, which would ban Medicaid insurance coverage for abortion. This bill was the subject of a public hearing held by the House Judiciary Committee on Monday. The same day, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a resolution for a proposed constitutional amendment (SJR 12) that is even more radical than HB 4012.

Here’s an excerpt from the resolution: “Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion. The people retain the right through their elected state representatives and state senators to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion, inlcuding but not limited to, circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest, or when necessary to save the life of the mother.”

SJR 12 would give the Legislature sole authority over abortion. This amendment targets Medicaid coverage for abortions for low-income women, and opens the door for further attacks on the reproductive rights of all West Virginia women.

Please take action by emailing and calling your Senators. Tell them to stand with West Virginia women and families to protect our healthcare and our rights, and vote NO on SJR 12.

This motivation for putting this issue on the ballot is to score points with religious conservatives in West Virginia. It is wrong and unconscionable to use women as political pawns!

SJR 12 will be up for a vote in the Senate on Friday. Please call your Senators today. Tell them not to play politics with women’s health and to vote NO on SJR 12. 

Yours for Action,

Team WV CAG