Policy Memo

TO: Vice President of the United States of America, Kamala Harris

FROM: Jessica Ghotra

DATE: April 2, 2024

SUBJECT: Addressing Barriers to Women's Reproductive Rights

Executive Summary:

This memo underscores the critical importance of ensuring comprehensive access to

reproductive healthcare for all individuals (A Promising New Path to Protect Abortion Access,

2023). It acknowledges the existence of significant barriers that hinder women's autonomy and

decision-making regarding their reproductive health. To address these challenges, this memo

proposes policy recommendations aimed at advancing women's reproductive rights and

enhancing access to reproductive healthcare services. By implementing the proposed policy

recommendations, policymakers can take steps towards protecting reproductive rights as a

fundamental aspect of individual freedom and bodily autonomy, thus fostering a society in which

all individuals can make informed decisions about their reproductive health and future.

Background:

Women's reproductive rights are crucial for autonomy and health. However, significant

barriers persist, including restrictive legislation and limited access to affordable healthcare

services. These obstacles disproportionately affect marginalized communities, exacerbating

existing disparities in healthcare access and outcomes (A Promising New Path to Protect

Abortion Access, 2023; Onwuachi-Saunders, Dang, & Murray, 2019; Reproductive rights -

women in the states, 2015; Research Guides: Reproductive Justice: about, n.d.). Studies estimate

that about 33% of women who have attempted to seek access to prescription oral contraceptives
were unable to do so due to affordability. Financial concerns regarding lack of insurance

coverage, lack of transportation, living far away or having difficulty getting to a clinic, language

barriers, and physicians requiring a pelvic exam before prescribing some forms of birth control

played a part in limiting women’s ability to receive contraceptive care ("Playbook for the

Advancement of Women in the Economy," n.d.). The overturning of state laws and FDA

regulation that deem oral contraceptives as a prescription drug would help to aid in improving

family planning services in the United States (National Conference of State Legislatures, n.d.).

Addressing this, as well as other concerns regarding the impact on marginalized communities

and the effect of increased disparities in healthcare access, is essential to advancing gender

equity, promoting public health, and upholding fundamental principles of autonomy and bodily

integrity.

Current Approaches:

The current approaches to addressing barriers to women's reproductive rights include a

wide range of policies and practices across jurisdictions. While some regions have enacted

progressive measures to safeguard these rights and enhance access to reproductive healthcare,

others have adopted restrictive measures that impede women's autonomy and limit their choices.

Moreover, persistent disparities in access persist, despite these measures. Progressive policies

often prioritize patient-centered care, evidence-based practices, and the removal of unnecessary

barriers to accessing reproductive healthcare (A Promising New Path to Protect Abortion Access,

2023). These approaches include comprehensive reproductive health legislation that protects and

expands access to a full range of reproductive healthcare services, investment in family planning

programs targeting underserved communities, and measures to protect clinic access and

safeguard reproductive healthcare facilities from harassment, intimidation, and violence.

of Roe v. Wade to protect access to safe and legal medication abortion (The White House, 2021).

By advocating for more federally enacted progressive policies such as these and combating

restrictive measures, policymakers can advance reproductive rights for all individuals, promoting

equity, autonomy, and dignity in reproductive healthcare access and decision-making.

Policy Recommendation:

To ensure equitable access to reproductive healthcare, my policy recommendation would

be to protect and expand access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare, while also addressing

existing socioeconomic barriers (A Promising New Path to Protect Abortion Access, 2023).

Enacting legislation at the state and federal levels would safeguard women's access to a range of

reproductive healthcare services, including contraception, abortion, prenatal care, and maternal

health services. This would also include removing barriers such as mandatory waiting periods,

unnecessary clinic regulations, and restrictions on telehealth services. Legislation can also aim to

target policies that would increase the funding given to organizations such as Planned

Parenthood, as well as expanding Medicaid coverage for reproductive healthcare services.

Conclusion:

Ensuring women's reproductive rights is essential for achieving gender equality,

promoting public health, and upholding individual autonomy (A Promising New Path to Protect

Abortion Access, 2023). By implementing the proposed policy recommendations, policymakers

can take concrete steps to dismantle barriers and create an environment where all individuals

have the agency and resources to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
References:

A Promising New Path to Protect Abortion Access. (2023, January 7). The New York

Times. Retrieved April 2, 2024, from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/07/opinion/abortion-

rights.html.

Onwuachi-Saunders, C., Dang, Q. P., & Murray, J. (2019). Reproductive Rights,

Reproductive Justice: Redefining Challenges to Create Optimal Health for All Women. Journal

of healthcare, science, and the humanities, 9(1), 19–31.

Reproductive rights - women in the states. (2015, October 26). Women in the States.

https://statusofwomendata.org/explore-the-data/reproductive-rights/

Research Guides: Reproductive Justice: about. (n.d.).

https://guides.lib.purdue.edu/reproductivejustice/about

Center for American Progress. (n.d.). Playbook for the advancement of women in the

economy: Ensuring contraception options are accessible and affordable. Retrieved from

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/playbook-for-the-advancement-of-women-in-the-

economy/ensuring-contraception-options-are-accessible-and-affordable/.

National Conference of State Legislatures. (n.d.). State contraception policies. Retrieved

from https://www.ncsl.org/health/state-contraception-policies.

The White House. (2021, July 1). Fact sheet: Biden-Harris Administration continues the

fight for reproductive freedom. Retrieved from https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/fact-

sheet-biden-harris-administration-continues-the-fight-for-reproductive-freedom.