Kent Hospital chosen as site for signing of 3 women’s health bills

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A large contingent of state legislators joined Governor Gina Raimondo at the Women’s Health Unit of Kent Hospital on Thursday to ceremoniously sign three bills pertaining to women’s health issues in the state.

The bills include legislation sponsored by House Majority Leader Rep. K Joseph Shekarchi (Warwick) to guarantee women are provided insurance coverage (including no co-pays) for mastectomy surgeries while they fight breast cancer; a bill introduced by Rep. Joseph McNamara (Warwick, Cranston) to allow women under the age of 18 to consent to pain medication while giving birth; and a bill that guarantees insurers provide access to a full year of access to contraceptive care.

“Although we’ve come a long way, there is always room for improvement when it comes to healthcare issues – especially women’s healthcare issues,” said Mayor Joseph Solomon in his introduction. “Fortunately, today’s bill signing event will ensure that women’s healthcare in Rhode Island continues to advance and keep pace with the rest of our country.”

Gov. Raimondo stressed that, while the three bills were laudable victories concerning three big areas of concern for women’s health, she is still focusing on the completion of the Reproductive Healthcare Act, which would codify the language of the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade at the state level that would guarantee women the right to seek pregnancy termination services.

Raimondo said that she is hearing a statewide anxiety from women unlike any time since taking office, with people uncertain about what decisions will come down from Washington by a presidential administration which has shown its intent to cut access to healthcare and undermine Roe v. Wade.

“As a woman, as a mother of a daughter, women should not have to worry about whether they’re going to have access to healthcare. Period. Nobody should in America,” Raimondo said. “But I hear from women more and more that they’re afraid. They’re afraid, and with what is happening in Washington, they have reason to be afraid. So today, in signing these bills, we’re saying that we in Rhode Island value women and we’re going to stand by women and stand up for women and make sure that women have the access to the healthcare they need and deserve.”

Speaking in regards to the bill (S 2224, H 7002 SUB A) to provide coverage for all mastectomy procedures, Shekarchi said that he was inspired to sponsor the legislation not just because of one particular woman in his life, but that he did it for the benefit of all women.

“The effects on lives to these people, the patients that go through this, is unbelievable,” he said. “Breast cancer is an emotional cancer. Mastectomies leave women feeling a sense of loss. Their suffering should not be compounded by enormous medical bills and these treatments should be fully covered. I’m happy and proud to say that, today, they are.”

In regards to the bill (H 7193 SUB A, S 2531) McNamara worked on with Dr. Emily White, a physician from Women & Infants Hospital in Providence, he said that Dr. White took the initiative to schedule a meeting with him last summer to discuss an oversight that prevented young pregnant women from consenting to pain medication for the birth of their own child.

“Even though, as soon as that child is born, she [the mother] would have complete legal authority over every medical decision with that child,” McNamara said.

Previously a school administrator, McNamara said he understood how difficult it can be to get in contact with parents of an individual under the age of 18, so the legislation was necessary to correct a “huge issue.”

“I am very pleased that this bill passed with the initial language we authored together,” McNamara said. “I give full credit – though I sponsored it – you [Dr. Emily White] educated me and my colleagues in the House and the Senate as to a major healthcare issue in Rhode Island that has been addressed; thanks to you.”

The large showing of representatives and state senators was appreciated by hospital administrators.

“This is amazing to have this level of elected leadership here to really exemplify our commitment to moving forward,” said Dr. Maureen Phipps, Executive Chief of OBGYN for the Care New England Health System. “Rhode Island is a national leader – it’s not maybe a national leader – it is a national leader in many issues that face women and their families.”

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