The Reproductive Freedom Alliance (RFA) announced today that New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has joined the nonpartisan coalition of 23 governors working together to protect and expand reproductive freedom across the United States.
Formed in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, RFA equips governors with the tools to protect and expand access to reproductive health care, defend the rights of patients and providers, and advance state policies to safeguard reproductive freedom.
“At a time when reproductive rights are under constant attack, states are leading the fight to protect and expand access to reproductive care. I’m proud to join the Reproductive Freedom Alliance on the frontlines — combining our expertise and resources to advance a strong, unified agenda to defend access to reproductive care in New Jersey and across the nation,” said Governor Mikie Sherrill.
Governor Sherrill’s participation maintains New Jersey’s critical involvement in RFA’s cross-state collaboration at a moment when governors are increasingly stepping up to defend reproductive rights amid federal and judicial threats to reproductive freedom and legal challenges to reproductive health care access.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Governor Sherrill to the Reproductive Freedom Alliance,” said Christina Chang, Executive Director of the Reproductive Freedom Alliance. “She has a formidable record protecting reproductive rights as a Member of Congress and has made clear that as governor she will defend and expand access to reproductive health care in New Jersey. She understands what’s at stake in a post-Dobbs America and the power of working together, across state lines, to protect reproductive freedom.”
Since its founding, the governors of the Reproductive Freedom Alliance have used every tool at their disposal to safeguard access to care, protect our communities, and ensure that reproductive freedom remains a reality for millions. RFA states have stockpiled more than 350,000 doses of mifepristone to safeguard access to medication abortion amid ongoing federal threats. With shield laws in place in 20 states, Alliance members now offer some of the country’s strongest legal safeguards for patients, providers, and health data privacy. RFA governors have also worked to reduce barriers to family planning, with 11 states moving quickly to expand coverage and access to new over-the-counter contraceptives.
Most recently, the Alliance worked with governors to respond to the federal “defunding” of Planned Parenthood, with 11 governors collectively committing more than $324 million in state funds to ensure continued access to reproductive health care. Alliance members also used their united voice to stand up for reproductive freedom with 22 governors sending a joint letter to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, defending veteran access to abortion care late last year as well as to HHS Secretary Kennedy and FDA Commissioner Makary, affirming the safety and efficacy of mifepristone and medication abortion and the importance of maintaining access to essential care.
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The Reproductive Freedom Alliance (RFA) is a nonpartisan coalition of 23 governors working together to protect and expand reproductive freedom across the United States. By supporting state policy change, RFA has helped equip governors with the tools to protect and expand access to reproductive health care, defend the rights of patients and providers, and advance state policies to safeguard reproductive freedom. RFA is supported by GovAct, a fiscally sponsored nonpartisan nonprofit initiative that helps governors work across state lines to champion fundamental freedoms and improve people’s lives.