
Healthcare is a human right. Everyone, regardless of their gender or sexuality, deserves access to quality healthcare. No one should be subject to restrictions on the care they need or the decisions they’re able to make about their own body. Unfortunately, this is not the reality for countless Pennsylvanians. We must continue the fight for women’s bodily autonomy and equitable access to quality care.
Pennsylvania Senate Democrats are always fighting for better healthcare options for women. We know that keeping women healthy strengthens our families and communities here in the Commonwealth. That is why it’s crystal clear: Pennsylvanians need more access to quality, affordable healthcare.
We believe lawmakers and leaders on both sides of the aisle can work together to make the healthcare system work even better for women and their specific health needs. Our caucus will continue to identify real health challenges and fight for solutions for women across the commonwealth. Proactive, unbiased, convenient, and supportive healthcare can easily be a reality for women if we make it a priority.

Senator Maria Collett celebrated the passage of House Bill 253 with Governor Wolf and other state leaders. HB253 appropriated $225 million in federal ARP funding to support health care workers in PA.

Senator Amanda Cappelletti presented the Women’s Resource Center with a $50,000 Department of Human Services grant.

Senator Judy Schwank joined Democratic members of the Women’s Health Caucus and other lawmakers to speak out against House Bill 321, legislation that would limit health care choices for women and politicize difficult moments for vulnerable families.
Our Priorities, Our Work
Supporting health autonomy and access to care for women must continue to be a priority at the national, state, and local levels. The PA Senate Democrats will continue to fight for women’s rights to:
Autonomy in all healthcare decisions
Paid family leave to further support maternal care post-pregnancy for mothers and newborn babies
Access to reproductive and sexual health products and education
Equitable, high quality maternal care
Increased support and resources for victims of sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking
Comprehensive healthcare coverage for female specific health issues and procedures
Our Members at Work
Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus Co-Chairs Statement on the House Passage of HB 1140 Expanding Contraception Access for All
Harrisburg – June 4, 2025 − The co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus Sen. Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-Montgomery), Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks), Rep. Gina H. Curry (D-Delaware) and Rep. Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery) issued the following statement on the House passage of HB 1140, which would ensure that all Pennsylvanians have access to contraception:
Women’s Health Caucus and Black Maternal Health Caucus Celebrate Legislative Wins
Women’s Health Caucus on Menstrual Equity Act
Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus Statement on the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Abortion under EMTALA in Moyle v. United States
Harrisburg — June 27, 2024 — The co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus Sen. Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-Montgomery), Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks), Rep. Gina H. Curry (D-Delaware) and Rep. Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery) issued the following statement in...
Senate Democratic Leaders, Jay Costa and Vincent Hughes, Issue Statement Affirming Caucus Commitment to Women’s Reproductive Freedom and Autonomy
Harrisburg − June 24, 2024 − Today, Senator Jay Costa, Senate Democratic Leader, and Senator Vincent Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair, issued the following statements to recognize the second anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade and Senate...
WHC Marks the Second Year Post-Dobbs Decision
Women’s Health Caucus and Reproductive Rights Advocates to Rally on the second-year mark of the Dobb’s Decision
Harrisburg, PA – June 24, 2024 – Members of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus (WHC) were joined by Planned Parenthood, Department of Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh, and advocates in Harrisburg today, on the second-year mark of the Dobbs Decision that...
Sen. Collett Talks Paid Leave & Sexual Harassment Policy at US Dept. of Labor Panel in Washington
Washington, D.C. − April 8, 2024 − On Monday, April 1, Pennsylvania Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery) participated in panel discussion hosted by the United States Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau and Chief Diversity and Equity Office, "Celebrating Women...
Senators Cappelletti and Schwank to Introduce Abortion Protections Package in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, PA – July 18, 2023 – Today, Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-Mongomery/Delaware) and Senator Judith Schwank (D-Berks) circulated a co-sponsorship memo detailing their intent to introduce a legislative package called the Abortion Protections Package....
Black Maternal Health Week News Conference
PA Women’s Health Caucus kicks off the 2023-2024 legislative session with a new mission and a reasserted commitment to reproductive rights on the first day of Women’s History Month
Harrisburg, PA- March 1, 2023 --- Today, on the first day of Women’s History Month, Chairs of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus, Senator Judith Schwank (D-11 Berks), Representative Mary Jo Daley (D-148 Montgomery), and Representative Gina Curry (D-164 Delaware)...
Policy Hearing Addresses Critical Need to Establish Statewide Rape Kit Tracking System
PHOENIXVILLE, September 23, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined state Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia) and members of the Senate and House Democratic Policy Committees at...
Women’s Health Caucus Holds Press Event on Postpartum Medicaid Expansion, Protecting Access to Abortion
Harrisburg—September 21, 2022 — This morning, members of the Women’s Health Caucus, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, and an advocate from Planned Parenthood held a press event to talk about postpartum Medicaid expansion and the need to protect...
Senator Kearney, Local Organizations Highlight Important Information to Help Preserve Reproductive Rights in PA During Event
SPRINGFIELD, PA – August 31, 2022 – Senator Tim Kearney (D–Delaware/Chester), in partnership with the Women's Centers, The Foundation for Delaware County, Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania, and the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, Inc., recently...
Senator Jay Costa Supports Governor Wolf Led Lawsuit Against SB 106, Reaffirms Commitment to Abortion Access in PA
HARRISBURG, PA – July 28, 2022 − Today, Governor Tom Wolf announced a lawsuit against the Republican-led General Assembly for their unconstitutional attempt to ban abortion in Pennsylvania. Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), leader of the...
PA Senate Democrats Hold 2022 Policy Hearings on Abortion and Reproductive Health in Pennsylvania
Legislation
Reproductive Health & Justice
- Setting Standards for Family Planning Services
- Expanding Access to Contraceptives
- Insurance Coverage for Infertility Treatments
- Preserving Fertility for Patients Act
- The PARENT Act
- Protecting Patients’ Reproductive Healthcare Information
- Reproductive Rights Amendment
- Reproductive Freedom Act
- Codifying Emergency Abortion Care Protections for Pennsylvanians
- Protecting the Privacy of Insured Dependents
- Protection for Nurses Providing Reproductive Health Services
- Funding for Family Planning Providers
- Expanding the Types of Professionals Who Can Provide Abortion Care
- Prohibiting Spousal Notice in Abortions
- Patient Trust Act
- PA Menstrual Equity Act
- Menstrual Education in Schools
- Menopause Education
- Providing Menstrual Hygiene Products in State Buildings
- Combatting Fertility Fraud and Deception
- Diagnostic Breast Imaging
- Coverage for Abortion in Commonwealth Insurance Policies
- Coverage for Abortions through Pennsylvania’s Health Insurance Exchange
Maternal & Child Health
Workplace Equality & Economic Empowerment
Justice & Inclusion
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
- Providing Grants for Domestic Violence Prevention and Services
- Campus Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Study
- Allowing Electronic Monitoring of Defendants as an Option of Relief in Protection from Abuse (PFA) Orders
- Tax-Free Retirement Withdrawals for Survivors of Domestic Abuse
- Reforming Pennsylvania’s Divorce Laws