Senator Peters Helps Lead Resolution Recognizing Abortion Providers

WASHINGTON, DC –U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) helped reintroduce a resolution honoring abortion providers and staff by designating March 10, 2024 as “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day.” The Abortion Provider Appreciation Day resolution – which Peters led with U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) – recognizes the work of medical professionals and staff who provide vital reproductive care despite legal restrictions, political interference, and threats to their personal safety. The reintroduction of this resolution comes after a 2022 report by the National Abortion Federation, which showed a rise in major incidents, such as stalking and death threats, being directed toward patients, abortion care providers, and volunteers.

“I’m proud to again lead this resolution with Senator Hirono honoring the abortion providers and clinic staff who help families receive the safe and quality health care that they need,” said Senator Peters. “Their bravery and dedication deserve our recognition always, but especially right now, as they face threats and attacks from politicians and judges for delivering critical and often lifesaving care. I will never stop fighting to protect these providers and the women and families that they serve.”

“Every day, abortion providers across the country provide time-sensitive and essential health care to patients — in confidence and without judgment. They do so while navigating escalating political attacks, medical disinformation, and threats on their lives and the lives of their families,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, President and & CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.“Abortion Provider Appreciation Day honors all these doctors, nurses, clinicians, counselors, and health care staffers for their commitment to caring for their communities. These heroes are protecting the lives and health of millions of people and their families, and we are deeply grateful for their expertise and compassion. Planned Parenthood will never stop fighting for abortion providers' ability to offer care without harassment and persecution. On this Abortion Providers Appreciation Day, we thank them, we support them, and we honor them.”

“Today, and every day, it is so important to recognize and celebrate abortion providers and clinic staff, as well as to honor the life and legacy of Dr. David Gunn,” said Katie O’Connor, Director of Federal Abortion Policy at the National Women’s Law Center. “In the midst of an ongoing reproductive health care crisis, abortion providers and clinic staff bravely show up to work, providing vital help to patients while facing harassment, threats, and even violence. Their courage and compassion inspire us all to continue to fight for everyone’s right to control their own bodies, lives, and futures.”

"In honor of Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, I am so grateful for the leadership of Senator Mazie Hirono along with co-leads, Senator Gary Peters and Representative Ayanna Pressley, as they recognize the unwavering commitment abortion providers have to their local communities as well as individuals who reside in communities where they are forced to travel to receive care,” said Dr. Jamila Perritt, President & CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health. “While we continue to navigate the ongoing and devastating effects of abortion bans across the country, it is so important to celebrate the compassion, creativity, and dedication of abortion providers in this moment. Abortion providers center the needs and hopes of people seeking care; they trust their patients to know what is best for them and their families and support and respect their decisions. Abortion providers are worthy of the trust and respect of politicians, too, but tragically are often met with violence, vitriol, and political theater. Today and every day, I celebrate and honor the critical care of abortion providers.”

The Abortion Provider Appreciation Day Resolution demonstrates a commitment to abortion providers and staff by:

• Recognizing March 10, 2024 as “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day” to celebrate the courage of abortion providers and the high-quality care they provide to patients and families across the country;

• Lauding communities who proudly support their abortion providers and staff;

• Affirming the commitment of Congress to ensuring the safety of these health professionals, their ability to continue providing the essential reproductive care their patients need, and the right of patients to access abortion care regardless of where they live, free from violence and threats;

• Condemning the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States to limit abortion care, which had a devastating impact on abortion providers and the communities they care for, threatening their livelihoods; and

• Declaring a vision for a future liberated from all abortion restrictions and bans, and affirming the commitment of Congress to working toward this future with providers, patients, advocates, and their communities.

The Abortion Provider Appreciation Day Resolution is supported by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the National Women’s Law Center, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Power to Decide; Guttmacher Institute, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, Reproductive Freedom for All, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, National Partnership for Women & Families, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda, Center for Reproductive Rights, and Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity (URGE).

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