[WestMALocals] Press Release| Broadhurst: "I'm the One True Pro-Choice Candidate"

[Owen Broadhurst]

Owen R. Broadhurst
96 Elbert Road
Agawam, MA  01001-3202
413.786.1508

AGAWAM- The Green-Rainbow Party candidate for State Representative in the
Third Hampden District, Owen R. Broadhurst of Agawam, reiterated his full
support for women's reproductive rights and liberties in a recent statement,
noting of abortion rights especially that it must be "free, legal, safe, and
available on demand with no strings attached." Broadhurst emphasized that he
is opposed to parental and spousal notification and consent requirements –
and insisted that the exercise of a woman's reproductive rights is presently
being curtailed by the state's failure to adopt single-payer healthcare.



"'Pro-choice' means 'no choice' without a single-payer health care plan to
help ensure that women have affordable health care," Broadhurst noted. "No
candidate opposing single-payer health care supports free, legal and safe
abortion on demand. It is only via single-payer health care that all women
throughout our Commonwealth may be guaranteed affordable and accessible
health care. I'm the only candidate in this contest promoting a single-payer
plan, and am therefore the one true pro-choice candidate."



Broadhurst cited a 2003 report from the Abortion Access Project condemning
the lack of abortion services in the Commonwealth: "Fifteen of seventy one
hospitals throughout the state provided accessible abortion services in
2003, merely nine provided free care funding, and inaccurate referrals
represented 46% of calls. Young women under the age of 18 to this day
require the consent of a parent, guardian or judge essentially putting their
lives at risk.  Only four clinics allow Medicaid payments for the
procedure."



Broadhurst emphasized that a genuine pro-choice agenda must include
abolition of parental consent requirements, adoption of a single payer
health care plan, a 35 foot buffer zone for the protection of clinic
clientele, a comprehensive health curriculum in every public school, and
full funding of family planning services according to need.



Broadhurst encourages voters to visit his website at
http://www.owenbroadhurst.org


-- 
Owen R. Broadhurst
Candidate for State Representative
Third Hampden District
http://www.owenbroadhurst.org