Statement from state Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes on Commonwealth Court ruling protecting reproductive autonomy
In response to the Pennsylvania appeals court overturning ban on Medicaid-funded abortion access
Rep. La'Tasha D. Mayes April 20, 2026 | 2:53 PM
State Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes issued the following statement on today’s Commonwealth Court ruling:
“Today’s landmark decision by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court marks a long-overdue step toward ensuring that every Pennsylvanian, no matter one’s income, has the ability to make their own reproductive health care decisions.
“For years, I led the effort alongside state and national legal advocates, including the Women’s Law Project and If/When/How, providers led by Allegheny Reproductive Health Center located in my district in Pittsburgh, and impacted patients to challenge the ban on the use of Medicaid funds for abortion in reproductive health care. This policy created a system in our Commonwealth, where low-income individuals were denied access to the same care that is available to others. Today, the court rightly recognized that this disparity is incompatible with our work to make good on the Commonwealth’s promise of equality.
“Banning access to abortion based on paying through Medicaid is now unconstitutional because this practice violates Pennsylvania’s Equal Rights Amendment based on sex discrimination and the equal protection clause. By affirming a fundamental right to reproductive autonomy, the court has made clear that the government has no place in coercing personal medical and healthcare decisions.
“This ruling is the result of years of tireless advocacy, including the courageous efforts of providers and organizations – largely led by Black women – who brought this case forward in 2019. While President & CEO of New Voices for Reproductive Justice at that time, I coordinated the first Reproductive Justice amicus brief filed in support of any legal case in our Commonwealth. This transformative work has helped move Pennsylvania closer to a future where reproductive freedom is not determined by ZIP code or income level, and I have stood as an advocate since the very beginning.
“While this decision is a significant victory, our work is not yet finished. We must remain focused on defending these rights. I remain committed to advancing and advocating for legislation and policies that protect access to comprehensive reproductive care across Pennsylvania for everyone.
“Today, we celebrate progress, but we also remember that we are still in the ongoing fight for reproductive justice.”
###
|
CONTACT: Molly Peters
House Democratic Communications Office
Phone: 717-787-7895
Email: mpeters@pahouse.net
|