Recently, a patient came to a Planned Parenthood health center, visibly upset and without an appointment. After speaking with her, we learned that she was seeking a medication abortion and was confident in her decision. A relative, however, had informed her that “abortion pills” were illegal, citing recent news coverage. The patient was comforted to learn that her relative had been misinformed and that medication was, in fact, an option for her. These situations are already difficult on our patients, and misinformation has made choices about care even more tenuous.  

So let me set the record straight now: Medication abortion is legal in New Jersey and will remain so. 

Right now, given what’s happening across the country and in the courts, New Jersey women worry their own reproductive rights will be stripped away and are making decisions as a result of this fear. For example, patients who have successfully used birth-control pills are coming to our offices for long-acting reversible contraceptives, such as IUDs and implants, because they are fearful that it will soon be illegal to get birth-control pills. 

As Women’s History Month comes to a close and as we honor the progress our movement has made, let’s not lose sight of how much there is still to overcome. The recent overturning of Roe v. Wade, harrowing maternal mortality rates among women of color, a lingering gender wage gap, and violence against trans and gender-nonconforming people, all signal that our fight is not over. 

Continued uncertainty

And our next challenge is directly ahead, with the legal fight against the abortion medication mifepristone. Even if a Texas court rules that mifepristone must be taken off the market, access to abortion will continue to remain legal in New Jersey thanks to the state’s codification of the right to reproductive health care — including abortion. 

Despite this, the constant fluctuations in the political climate and the ceaseless droning of ”myths as facts” at the national level have led to continued uncertainty statewide. This has led to uncertainty in our health centers, and uncertainty among our patients and potential patients. People read headlines — headlines that are often drafted to capture clicks rather than truths — and walk into our centers confused and uncertain about what their options are. 

The fact is that — thanks to the inclusion of historic investments in the state’s 2023 budget, which have also been proposed in Gov. Phil Murphy’s 2024 spending plan — patients seeking reproductive health care will be able to receive it. But health care providers must now address patients’ concerns and anxieties regarding access to and the legality of all reproductive services.  

Empowering patients with information is the next leg of our journey in New Jersey. Women cannot afford the confusion and uncertainty that come with our national political climate. 

I encourage providers to establish a rapport with their patients. Often the source of misinformation is trusted family members and friends, and so it is important for providers to take a moment to hear patients’ concerns and validate their feelings. During a time when reproductive rights are under attack, it is most important for providers to inform patients of the facts and encourage patients —  especially those who are scared and anxious — to be participants in their health care through shared decision making.   

This Women’s History Month, we celebrate and empower all women — regardless of race, socioeconomic status or gender identity. We are grateful to live in a state that supports our reproductive rights. But there is far more left to do.