Dear John,

During a dark and uncertain time in the landscape of reproductive health, rights, and justice, I am pleased to offer one bright light – NIRH’s 2021 Gaining Ground: Year in Review, our annual report documenting proactive state policies that protect and expand reproductive freedom.

All in all in 2021, state legislatures introduced at least 1,096 proactive health, rights, and justice bills and resolutions – the greatest number of proactive measures ever.

As you know, there is an urgent need for state and local advocates and lawmakers to do everything in their power to protect and advance reproductive freedom. NIRH has been working for more than a decade to advance proactive laws at the state level – and documenting the progress around the country to inform and inspire advocates and lawmakers to act.

This report synthesizes the year’s proactive state policy work and provides the information and roadmap needed to pass proactive policies to advance reproductive health, rights and justice.

The trends of 2021 state legislation include:

Nine states passed legislation to solidify abortion rights and expand access to care. 
Eight states increased access to contraception by allowing pharmacists to prescribe or administer contraceptives directly to patients and/or allowing a full year’s supply at a time. 
Ten states passed bills that attempt to address racial disparities in maternal health. These advances and others are expanding reproductive freedom and access to care when they are needed most.

John, while there is much work ahead, and a need more dire than we’ve ever seen, we know that with supporters like you, we can continue to protect and expand reproductive freedom across the country, community by community, state by state.

In solidarity,

ANDREA MILLER

President
NIRH

National Institute for Reproductive Health
14 Wall St
Suite 3B
New York, NY 10005
United States

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