Letters Say Don’t Restrict Access to Abortion

INDIANAPOLIS--State lawmakers need an education on what banning abortion could do to business, said Katie Blair of the ACLU of Indiana, in a Thursday press conference. That was held to talk about letters from 250 Hoosier businesses supporting access to abortion.

The letter campaign is called “Don’t Ban Equality”.

“We need business leaders to educate elected officials on the business and talent impact of access to reproductive health and that’s why we’ve gathered these 250 plus business letters,” said Blair, the ACLU’s director of advocacy and public policy.

Blair said businesses from over 30 Indiana cities signed letters, in hospitality, retail, communications and more.

“When everyone is empowered to succeed, our companies, our communities and our economy are better for it,” she said.

Blair said she and the ACLU believe that restricting access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion is a threat to the health, independence and economic stability of employees and customers.

“Simply put, it goes against our values and it’s bad for business,” she said. “In states with better access to contraception women have higher labor force participation, more frequently pursue full-time work, have higher median wages and experience better job mobility.”

Republicans said Wednesday they plan to pursue a ban on abortion that would only include exceptions for rape, incest and if the mother’s life was in danger. The ban will be debated and voted on in a multi-week special session that begins Monday.