HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 05-16-2023; 8-g - Resolution in Support of Safe and Legal Reproductive Healthcare 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 16, 2023
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-g
SUBJECT: Resolution in Support of Safe and Legal Reproductive Healthcare
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Resolution Commissioner Sally Greene, 919-245-
2130
Commissioner Jamezetta Bedford, 919-
245-2130
Quintana Stewart, Health Director, 919-
245-2400
PURPOSE: To consider a resolution in support of safe and legal reproductive healthcare.
BACKGROUND: The North Carolina General Assembly recently passed SB20 on a party
line vote to limit the rights of women, specifically their bodily autonomy, by reducing legally
allowed abortions from twenty weeks to twelve weeks and reducing access to medication
abortion to ten weeks. SB20 also imposes new barriers to the provision of care that are
not medically necessary, such as additional in-person appointments and new clinic
requirements. The bill creates barriers to reproductive healthcare, including abortions, and
will make it harder for the most vulnerable to access healthcare, which medical
professionals say will lead to preventable deaths.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated
with this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board consider the resolution
supporting safe and legal reproductive healthcare, and if approved, authorize the Chair to sign
the resolution.
2
RES-2023-040
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SAFE AND LEGAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE
WHEREAS, access to a full range of reproductive care options, including safe and legal abortion, is a
fundamental human right, and
WHEREAS, following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs v.
Jackson Women's Health Organization case, both houses of the North Carolina General Assembly
passed SB20 on a party line vote to severely limit the rights of women, specifically their bodily autonomy,
by reducing legally allowed abortions from twenty (20)weeks to twelve (12)weeks and reducing access
to medication abortion to ten (10)weeks; and
WHEREAS, SB20 also imposes new barriers to the provision of care that are not medically necessary,
such as additional in-person appointments and new clinic requirements, and
WHEREAS, creating barriers to reproductive healthcare, including abortions, will make it harder for the
most vulnerable to access healthcare, which medical professionals say will lead to preventable deaths;
and
WHEREAS, despite the fact that the majority of North Carolinians support access to safe, legal abortion
and despite the legislature's own bill filing rules, SB20 was released with little notice and no transparency,
as GOP legislative leadership crafted this harmful bill behind closed doors with no opportunity for public
comment; and
WHEREAS, Orange County has a history of supporting full access to safe and legal reproductive health
care, including abortion, for our residents and County employees and rejects in the strongest of terms
SB20 and other laws aimed at limiting or denying access to abortion care.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners supports the
right for all to access the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare, including abortion care, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board of Commissioners commends Senator Graig Meyer and
Representatives Allen Buansi and Renee Price for their votes against SB20; supports Governor Roy
Cooper's decision to veto SB20; and encourages members of the General Assembly to uphold his veto
when a vote to override occurs, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board urges our elected officials at the North Carolina General
Assembly to prioritize the healthcare needs of residents, to reject further attempts to limit abortion, and to
increase investment in access to health care, affordable birth control including emergency contraception,
and comprehensive age-appropriate sex education, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board urges residents to speak out against these egregious attacks
on bodily autonomy and make their views known to members of the North Carolina General Assembly.
This the 16th Day of May, 2023.
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners