NEWS RELEASES
Legacy supports all reproductive health services
PORTLAND, ORE. – June 24, 2022 – At Legacy Health, it is our mission to provide good health for our people, our patients, our communities and our world. These are our commitments that form the core of our mission, and we take them seriously. We believe that all people deserve access to the care they need when they need it.
The decision issued today by the U.S. Supreme Court eliminating the federal protection for abortion established almost 50 years ago with Roe vs. Wade is dangerous and unjust. Abortion is health care. As an organization dedicated to caring for patients, we know that people’s ability to make their own medical decisions is essential to their health and well-being.
In Oregon and Washington, abortion is protected by state law, but many states will immediately move to outlaw abortion in all or most cases. This will put access to safe, legal abortion out of reach for millions of people across the country.
We are gravely concerned about the effect this unequal access will have on people of color, people with limited means, and other vulnerable people in our country. One recent study estimates a ban on abortions will result in a 21% increase in pregnancy-related deaths for the U.S. population overall — and a 33% increase for Black people. This decision also puts people at risk of being policed for seeking health care.
At Legacy Health, we are guided by our mission and above all, we do the right thing. This means we will continue to provide reproductive health services to the patients we serve.
About Legacy Health
Legacy Health is a locally owned, nonprofit health system driven by our mission to improve the health of those around us. We offer a unique blend of health services – from wellness and urgent care to dedicated children’s care and advanced medical centers – to care for patients of all ages when and where they need us across the Portland/Vancouver metro area and mid-Willamette Valley. With an eye toward a healthier community, our partnerships tackle vital issues such as housing and mental health. Legacy strives to help everyone live healthier and better lives, with the vision of being essential to the health of the region. For more information, visit www.legacyhealth.org.
