Women of color continue to face obstacles to accessing high-quality health care. Unintended pregnancy often results from limits on access and opportunity. We know that when women can plan their pregnancies, the health outcomes are better for them and their families. That is why the recent efforts to provide low-income women with expanded access to contraception are so important.

Latinas are more likely to live in areas with poor access to family planning services. We are also less likely to have health insurance or the financial resources to be able to afford to access contraception.

HB 1194 would help to continue to meet the needs of low-income women in our state. The ability to plan our families is an issue of reproductive health, but it is also one of financial stability.

As the only Latina-led, Latina-serving organization in Colorado that is focused on protecting the rights of women of color to decide whether and when to have children and to raise children in a healthy and safe environment, COLOR urges our state’s leaders to support this important program.

Cristina Aguilar, executive director, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights

Denver