Access to Contraceptives in Nevada

This summer, as you know, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization that abortion is not a constitutional right, thus allowing each state to regulate it as they see fit. 

Following the decision, a statement by one Supreme Court Justice, Clarence Thomas, which was supported by no one else on the Court, has spun the majority party in control of the White House and Congress into full fear-monger mode to have you believe that rights guaranteed in the State of Nevada, related to same-sex marriage, contraception access, and abortion, are at risk. They are not. Being told something on national news or online about an imagined problem does not change our reality here in Nevada.

On the scaring you theme, in July, the House considered a third bill meant to mislead voters and generate political support. Hurried through the House floor with no opportunity for input, the House majority party passed H.R. 8373, the Right to Contraception Act. The so-called “Right to Contraception Act” used fearmongering to push a radical agenda in response to the SCOTUS decision in Dobbs. Despite what the majority party wants you to think, here’s what nobody has told you is actually in this bill:

• The bill grants the U.S. Attorney General the authority to sue any entity that denies women access to contraceptives. “Entity” is defined by no one other than Merrick Garland himself. Good luck with that.
• Defines contraceptives as any “action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives or fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures.” Does this include Abstention? In their haste to pander for votes, this is a whopper to figure out.
• Prohibits state and federal governments from limiting funding to any entity because they provide contraception, including Planned Parenthood, regardless of the will of the citizens in that state. Could it be clearer that they don’t care about what the people in each individual state want?
• Overrides certain federal laws like the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and violates conscience or religious beliefs. Have a nice day people of faith.

Regardless of what your views are, this legislation disregards what Nevadans themselves have determined what they want the rules to be through the Nevada legislature. Nevada law (NRS 442.725) already guarantees Nevadans the right to contraception, so this bill is nothing more than duplicative. In Nevada, the Account for Family Planning grants money to local government entities and nonprofit organizations to provide family planning services, including contraceptive devices, approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Regardless of your party, when you rush things like this, and don’t give anyone any chance for input, you get awful legislation that basically ignores reality and practicality. That coupled with the fact that there is nothing pending before the Supreme Court to change the rules related to contraception, nor has there been any attempt in Nevada to deny access to contraceptives.

Long story short—the ability to terminate a pregnancy has existed in Nevada for over 30 years and is still the law of the land. The ability to choose one’s marriage partner and has not been changed. The ability to access contraception in whatever form you see fit is the practice and has not been changed. The citizens of Nevada have spoken, and their will deserves to be respected. I will not support federal political agendas, especially when Nevada is doing fine without federal intervention.

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