On Tuesday, Aug. 27, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper hosted a roundtable discussion highlighting the current reproductive care landscape in the state and the harmful impacts of Senate Bill 20. Gov. Cooper was joined by White House Gender Policy Council Director Jennifer Klein and medical professionals as they discussed the negative effects of abortion bans on reproductive health care in North Carolina. Jonas Swartz, MD, MPH, medical director of Family Planning and Ryan Program director (pictured with Gov. Cooper), participated in the event. Since SB20 became law, there have been damaging statewide impacts to the reproductive health care landscape in North Carolina. SB20 went into effect on July 1, 2023.
"Governor Cooper and Director Klein are both invested in understanding how recent legislative restrictions to abortion are hurting North Carolinians. It was an honor to participate among a group of experts sharing how we are fighting to maintain access to this critical health care for patients around the state and region," said Dr. Swartz.