Issue Position: Women's Issues

Issue Position

Protecting Women's Health

Fighting for Choice:

A woman's right to choose is a constitutionally protected privacy right. Apparently, however, the current Supreme Court doesn't think so. In April the Court upheld significant restrictions on abortion, setting the stage for overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which ensures that women have the right to choose. Congresswoman Hirono is proud that Hawai"i was the first state to legalize abortion and that last year the State Legislature took the additional step of passing our own Freedom of Choice Act.

Promoting Prevention:

While Congresswoman Hirono will always fight for a woman's right to choose, she is a strong believer that we can do more to prevent unwanted pregnancies. She is an original cosponsor of H.R. 463, the Prevention First Act, which expands access to preventive health care services that help reduce unintended pregnancy, reduce abortions, and improve access to women's health care.

Combating Disease:

Breast cancer and heart disease remain two of the most deadly threats to women in Hawai"i and the rest of the country. This is why Congresswoman Hirono advocated for increased funding for research and cosponsored H.R. 1691, the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act, which would ensure that women receive appropriate care by guaranteeing the choice to stay in the hospital for 48 hours after a mastectomy. She has also cosponsored H.R. 1032, the Heart Disease Education, Analysis Research, and Treatment (HEART) for Women Act, which would improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease and stroke.

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