AMWA Joins Vice President Kamala Harris on Her 2nd Reproductive Freedoms Tour Stop

AMWA at the Reproductive Freedoms Tour 2nd Stop – California, January 29

On Monday, January 29, 2024, AMWA leaders join advocates from all over California for the Vice President’s Reproductive Freedoms Tour stop in San Jose, CA at the Mexican Heritage Plaza. The event included presentations from California Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler and Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as well as California physicians, Dr. Ashley Jeanlus (UCSF) and Dr. Pratima Gupta (UCSD). Secretary Beccera shared the support of HSS on this issue –

“We are here because you are here.
We fight because you fight.
We care because you care.
We are in this together.”

In a conversation moderated by Actress Sophia Bush, Vice President Kamala Harris reiterated the administration’s commitment to support reproductive freedom and the reassurance that “one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to know that government should not be telling her what to do with her body.” She spoke of the “task in front of us right now” and urged the audience to not be complacent but to stay vigilant and engage in the work to restore reproductive rights across the country. She reminded everyone of the power of conversation, communication, and connection – and of coalition building. And she spoke of fact that “the measure of a strength of a leader is not who you beat down, but who you lift up.

Most of all, she spoke of hope and the “knowledge that no progress comes without a fight.”

She concluded with the legacy of Coretta Scott King “who reminded us that the fight for civil rights must be fought for and won with each generation…The gains will not be permanent.” And the Vice President urged everyone to “stand for and fight for these freedoms…Think about the people who can’t be in this room. We have a duty to stand for these most essential freedoms…Be in it together. Hold each other up, at a time when people are trying to divide our country. We are all in this together.”

View the event broadcast.

One AMWA member reflected on the event — “I was honored to be invited as an AMWA Member. I appreciate Vice-President Harris’ recognition of the state’s robust protections and see the importance of creating an environment where healthcare providers can fulfill ethical obligations without interference. Her call for vigilance resonates with the medical community, emphasizing the need to remain proactive in safeguarding patient access to essential healthcare services. The presence of California Senators and the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary at the event underscores the collaborative effort required to address healthcare issues comprehensively. From a medical perspective, the discussion around abortion extends beyond procedural aspects to broader principles of patient autonomy, medical ethics, and societal implications. Harris’s advocacy aligns with our commitment to providing comprehensive and compassionate care. The medical community, working with policymakers, must continue navigating these complex issues to ensure patient access to healthcare free from unnecessary barriers.” — Dr. Sampda Sharma

…read about AMWA at the Reproductive Freedoms Tour Launch – Wisconsin, January 22

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