for the first time since the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its ruling Dobbs A decision in late June made abortion a top priority at the Pennsylvania State Capitol.

Thousands gathered at a March for Life rally on the State Capitol on Monday to demand more restrictions on the process. He urged the government not to “give up” on lobbying activities such as cutting public funding for medical centers that operate.

“Women deserve more than abortion,” March for Life president Jeanne Mancini said at a rally Monday. She said, “Life is not to be feared. Life is to be accepted and loved.”

Pennsylvania currently allows surgery up to the 24th week of pregnancy. After that, abortion is only allowed for rape, incest, or to save the mother’s life. State Medicaid funds help pay for these procedures.

While state legislators have not voted for a new abortion bill since budget negotiations ended this summer, Republicans and a handful of Democrats have called the state constitution “the right to taxpayer-funded abortions.” I support the effort to rewrite it as “I do not approve.”abortion [sic] or other rights related to abortion. ”

The idea is part of a package of constitutional amendments known as SB 106 and could be put before voters as early as next spring. After Congress approved it this summer, Gov. Tom Wolfe asked the state Supreme Court to block the package from moving forward. A judge dismissed the request earlier this month and referred the case to a lower court of appeals.

Without court action, the fix package would have to be advertised, and state legislators would have to vote again to have it reflected in the May primary ballot.

On Wednesday, Gov. Tom Wolfe’s administration condemned the March for Life rally, pointing out the types of reproductive health care Pennsylvanians have access to through the state.

For example, low-income women have access to free or low-cost pregnancy counseling, disease screening, and health care providers through the Department of Human Services’ family planning services program.

“These are the basics people need to live healthy lives with dignity, take care of themselves, and have healthy families and communities,” DHS Special Counsel Sarah Goulet said at a press conference. resources and services.

“Instead of disenfranchising the millions deserving of reproductive health care choices and access, we can do more by building and maintaining more programs, policies and support systems that benefit all. Let us do good things,” she added.

Berks County Senator Judy Schwank said restricting access to abortion could have repercussions for women’s health care.
“We should look at all care for women and children. It’s all connected,” se said. “Instead, we are forced to fight one attempt after another to take away the rights of Pennsylvanians.”

During his tenure, Mr. Wolf blocked at least three anti-abortion bills sent to his desk by lawmakers. But voters say he will elect a new governor in November, and the two candidates hold nearly polar opposite views on access to abortion.

Republican Doug Mastriano has vowed to support a “heartbeat bill” that would ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy without exception. I promised to refuse.