Colorado Becomes Safe Haven For Abortion, Gender-Affirming Care Despite Restrictive Access in Neighboring States

Colorado is making it a law to provide appropriate medical services for abortion and gender-affirming care.

Governor Jared Polis signed three bills on Friday, April 14, to strengthen the rights of individuals seeking these services in Colorado. These bills come at a time when access to abortion is uncertain in some parts of the country, and conservative states in neighboring areas have implemented restrictions on such procedures.

Colorado Abortion Care

The new laws Governor Polis signed in Colorado are aimed at making the state more accessible for individuals seeking abortion or gender-affirming care.

The first law, SB23-188, is particularly significant as it protects people who travel from other states with restrictive laws on abortion and gender-affirming treatment. It ensures that those who receive or provide such services in Colorado are legally protected and cannot be subject to subpoenas from other states, according to CNN. 

This means that people from surrounding states and beyond can come to Colorado to access abortion or gender-affirming treatment without fear of prosecution.

Additionally, the second law requires large employers to provide full coverage for the cost of abortion care starting next year, making it easier for people to access this care without facing financial difficulties. This law is particularly important for low-income individuals who may otherwise struggle to afford the cost of abortion care.

Furthermore, the third law aims to prevent deceptive advertising practices by making it illegal for any entity to falsely advertise that it provides abortions or emergency contraceptives.

Healthcare providers who perform medication abortion reversal in violation of state rules will face disciplinary action, ensuring that they follow the appropriate protocols and provide safe and accurate information to patients.

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Providing Legal Healthcare Services

Several states that have imposed bans on abortion and transgender care are also making it a crime to travel to other states to access these legal healthcare services.

According to The Huffngton Post, these conflicting laws are leading to interstate disputes that resemble the patchwork of same-sex marriage laws that existed until 2015, or the legal conflict of the 19th century over whether enslaved people who escaped to the north remained the property of slaveholders.

Governor Polis signed the bill into law a year after codifying the right to abortion into Colorado law, just a few months before the Supreme Court overturned federal protections for abortion rights by reversing Roe v. Wade.

Meanwhile, conservative neighboring states like Oklahoma and Wyoming have implemented strict abortion bans.

In contrast, Colorado's southern neighbor, New Mexico, also controlled by Democrats, passed a similar abortion bill earlier this year that legally protects those who seek and provide abortion or gender-affirming care from interstate investigations.

These legislative actions aim to ensure that people can access the healthcare services they need without fear of prosecution or discrimination.

As per Axios, these bills aim to make Colorado a more accessible and safe place for individuals seeking abortion or gender-affirming treatment from surrounding states and beyond.

By providing legal protection, expanding insurance coverage, and preventing deceptive advertising, these laws aim to ensure that individuals can access the care they need without fear of prosecution or discrimination.

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