In a clear nod to the ongoing battle for reproductive rights, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed a proclamation declaring March 10 as Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, a move that underscores the state's commitment to abortion access amidst a national landscape fraught with restrictions and legal challenges. Kotek emphasized Oregon's stance, saying, "Here in Oregon, we understand that abortion is health care, and providers are appreciated and can continue to provide care without interference and intimidation," as reported by the Oregon Governor's Office.
Statistics from the Oregon Health Authority highlighted the state's role as a haven for reproductive services, with 1,661 of 10,075 abortions in 2023 being provided to patients from outside Oregon, marking an almost 60% increase from the previous year, and on this day, clinicians from Lilith Clinic, Oregon Health and Science University, and various Planned Parenthood organizations stood with Kotek, signifying their collective resolve to ensure access to care. Following the November election, the Governor directed the Oregon Health Authority to collaborate with OHSU to restock the state's three-year supply of Mifepristone, a medication critical to both miscarriage management and abortion procedures.
Kotek's history of advocating for reproductive rights extends back to her tenure as Speaker of the Oregon House, where she was instrumental in the passage of the Reproductive Health Equity Act in 2017. Her commitment has not waned as she assumed the governorship; she continued to enforce state regulations, ensuring insurers complied fully with the Act and implemented measures like corrective action plans and rigorous monitoring. Furthermore, in 2023, she enacted House Bill 2002, the Access to Reproductive Health Care law, which aims to secure and expand access to reproductive health services and support community organizations through state funding.
