On January 23rd, 2021, the anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, the Kansas House passed the "Value Them Both" constitutional amendment. Sign this petition to show public dissent and disapproval of Kansas restricting abortion access for its citizens.

The amendment is stated as follows:

"Regulation of Abortion. Because Kansans value both women and children, the constitution of the state of Kansas does not require government funding of abortion and does not create or secure a right to abortion. To the extent permitted by the constitution of the United States, the people, through their elected state representatives and state senators, may pass laws regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, in circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest, or when necessary to save the life of the mother."

http://kslegislature.org/li_2020/b2019_20/measures/documents/hcr5019_00_0000.pdf

If this Kansas constitutional amendment is passed, it will allow restrictions on abortions, including pregnancies caused by rape and incest. A woman would not have the right to choose an abortion when experiencing prenatal complications that would result in her death. A woman would not have the right to follow her physician's advice or family's wishes in this case. Overall, this amendment would allow restrictions on access to abortions and general women's health care. 

Women of color are disproportionately affected by rape, assault, and lack of prenatal care. Therefore, this amendment will also perpetuate systemic racial injustices.

The right to have an abortion has improved women's lives. Abortion legalization increases women's involvement in the workforce. Abortion legalization reduces teen fertility. Both of these effects are heavily correlated with black and latinx women, due to disproportionate rates of rape and access to resources. Access to abortion improves long-term education and economic outcomes (Institute for Women's Policy Research). In 2019, 11 percent of women (11.1 million) aged 19-64 were uninsured (KFF). Now more than ever, women need access to politically unbiased health care.

https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/fact-sheet/womens-health-insurance-coverage/#:~:text=In%202019%2C%2015%25%20of%20men,in%202008%20(Figure%202)

https://iwpr.org/iwpr-issues/reproductive-health/the-economic-effects-of-abortion-access-a-review-of-the-evidence/

During a global pandemic, Kansas political officials are instead focusing on politicizing women's right to make a choice regarding their own bodies. Furthermore, the KS House of Representatives deliberately chose to put the anti-abortion amendment on a low voter turnout ballot instead of the general election ballot. The "Value Them Both" amendment will be on the polls for the August 2022 Kansas primary election.

Sign this petition to stop this gross human rights injustice before it goes any further. The Value Them Both Amendment does not value women's right to make their own choice.