Deluzio Hosts Panel Discussion on Extremist Threat to Abortion Rights and Reproductive Healthcare

MCCANDLESS, PA — Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) hosted a panel discussion on the state of abortion rights and reproductive freedom in Western Pennsylvania. A state representative, advocates, and healthcare professionals joined him for the conversation and to share their perspectives.

“Extreme, far-right politicians have been coming for the rights of Americans for a long time, but people in Western Pennsylvania are ready to fight to protect abortion rights and our freedom,” said Rep. Deluzio. “My fellow veterans and I who served in uniform were willing to lay it on the line to defend our liberty, and I remain as committed today to defending abortion rights. In that spirit, I will keep up the fight in Washington for women’s freedom, and I was proud to be joined by panelists today to discuss their work for reproductive freedom here in Western Pennsylvania.”

The following people joined Congressman Deluzio for the discussion: 

• Dr. Arvind Venkat, Pennsylvania State Representative (House District 30) 
• Sydney Etheredge, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania 
• Dr. Amy Collins, COO and Medical Director of Allegheny Reproductive Health Center  

“My support of abortion rights and reproductive freedom is grounded in what type of country we want to be and what kind of democracy we are going to have,” said Rep. Venkat. "It is very important that we continue to raise the importance of recognizing abortion is health care and protecting the right to a safe abortion is critical. It has to be a public discussion, and it has to be part of every election that we have moving forward. I am very proud to represent my community in Western Pennsylvania and to be a voice on behalf of the medical community on this critical issue. Thank you to Congressman Deluzio and my colleagues who are here who recognize the importance of fighting to protect safe reproductive health care. And certainly you have my commitment that, as long as I am in office, I will be a voice and a vote to protect abortion rights here in Pennsylvania and beyond.”

“Every single person deserves access to the full range of sexual and reproductive health care without fear of violence or backlash,” said Sydney Etheredge, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania. “Providers deserve to deliver care without having to navigate medically unnecessary regulatory obstacles. We also know our champions in Congress have not stopped fighting for us. Together, we must work to build federal abortion rights back stronger and better while blocking attempts by anti-abortion legislators to further chip away at access.”

“The day after Dobbs came down we got 500 phone calls, mostly from patients mostly in Ohio, who had appointments that week to have an abortion,” said Dr. Amy Collins, COO and Medical Director of Allegheny Reproductive Health Center. “These patients had received phone calls saying that their appointments were cancelled, and they called us desperate, crying, asking ‘what do I do in this situation?’ We truly saw in that moment how important access is, and what happens when access goes away. I wish more people could hear stories about what is actually happening to patients when it comes to trying to seek out this care. Abortion is healthcare, and it is important to remember that excellent healthcare is being provided in our abortion clinics around the country." 

Photos of the panel are available here.

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