Let me be clear: I vow to continue to fight for all civil rights, especially reproductive rights. 

Healthcare is a Human Right. I will always vigorously defend any person's right to choose. 

I have 3 daughters.  Their rights are at stake. So are yours.  This is a slippery slope. What rights will we lose next?

We have a moral responsibility to protect healthcare providers and reproductive rights regardless of gender identity.

2026 Update: My record is firm and clear: This is one of the most important issues of our time!

In 2023 I was a vigorous advocate for SB1/Act2 to affirm reproductive rights.  Act2:

My bill 2025 HB866 intended to protect reproductive care rights by providing funding and access to Mifepristone to ensure the federal government can not interfere with your right to seek reproductive care.  It passed HLT but was killed in Finance so I worked directly with Director of the Hawai’i Department of Health to initiate multiple contracts that now ensure a supply for 3-4 years with access throughout the entire state both by mail and at a storage location in each county. This is a win.  This intent was reaffirmed by 2026 SCR45 which I voted for as a ranking member of the Health Committee. 

I also supported funding in the state budget (HB300) for outside organizations including planned parenthood to provide reproductive care.  

In 2026 I was a Primary introducer of HB1875 expanding the protections established under 2023 Act 2, to include gender-affirming health care and ensuring privacy of care providers.  

 I also supported HR5 to reaffirm EMTALA support for life-saving emergency care for pregnant individuals, including reproductive services and abortions.

2025 Update:

#ProChoice: My bill HB866 Funding for Mifepristone: This bill provided funding and access to pills required for abortion without surgery to ensure that the federal government can not interfere with your right to seek reproductive care.  My bill passed through the Health committee but was killed in Finance.  This was too important so I planned from thestart and executed an alternative plan.  My Chief of GSD Dr. Joe worked with Dr. Fink, Director of the Hawai’i Department of Health and we have initiated multiple contracts that will ensure a supply for 3-4 years with access throughout the state by mail and at a location in each county for in-person medial care! I also supported funding the state budget (HB300) for outside organizations that provide reproductive care.  

2025 Womens March Update: please click here to help pass this bill!

We were all shocked when Dobbs V, Jackson overturned Roe V. Wade.  Reproductive freedom in Hawai'i is under attack by radical right wing Republicans: Given the threat from Trump, a stacked US Supreme Court and a Republican controlled Congress, I am introducing EMERGENCY legislation to try to ensure that your reproductive rights are protected at the state level.  I was a proud primary introducer of 2023 Act 2 to protect reproductive freedom and caregivers in Hawai'i, but we are not safe:

Reaffirming society's protections at the state level is one of the most important jobs that any legislator can do. As a hardcore Democrat I will stand up for your rights!  And we need teamwork to pass this bill: please click here

"Bill Amato 2025-0567- Protecting Reproductive Rights summary: Mifepristone and Misipristol pills are used for 63% of abortions nationwide.  Executive order, (mis)use of the  Comstock Act of 1873 or other action at federal level including cutting off Medicaid and suing non-profits may possibly prevent most oral medication abortions in Hawai'i.  These critically important medicines may experience supply chain disruptions in the next 2 years. This law proactively preempts that possibility by authorizing DOH to purchase and stockpile pills via State pharmacy contractors as a buffer supply. Appropriates funds to ensure reproductive rights are protected."

The good news is that my Chief of Staff has been working with the Department of Health to prepare for legal stockpiling. 

The bad news is that there is considerable opposition to Reproductive rights at the Capitol, both by Radical Republicant's like my 2026 Maga opponent and by Conservatives.  Passing this bill will require 1000s of phone calls, emails and (friendly) personal visits at the state Capitol in Honolulu to get it passed.  And although I am also supporting a constitutional protection for abortion rights, that can't happen until the end of 2026 at earliest, and a lot of damage can be done in 2 years.

If you are willing to add your voice to lobby this bill at the Capitol, please click here and we'll be in touch when we need your support.  Mahalo!

2024: 

Here are my 2022-2024 actions, not just words:

I have voted in support of legislation to improve access reproductive health care. I supported family planning, increased Medicaid access and reimbursement, funding for preventive services including birth control, and supported CIP grants to nonprofits for STI screenings.  In 2023 I was one of the Primary Introducers of  SB1 (Act2) which reinforced abortion protections, expanded access by allowing PA’s to perform abortions,  provided protection for Medical providers via prohibition of information disclosure and more

Don't kid yourself: To vote for a Republican in Hawai'i is to vote for the dehumanization of women.

As a Democrat, a mother and a woman I oppose ALL attempts to restrict reproductive rights through legislation, regulation or constitutional amendment.   

Terez Amato T.Amato says

• I oppose ALL attempts to restrict reproductive rights through  Legislation, Regulation or Constitutional amendment.  
• I will always vigorously defend women's right to choose.
• I support access to safe and legal abortion for any person in need.  
• I will always vigorously oppose all efforts to restrict abortion

Even with abortion being legal (for now), access is far too limited, and abortions are not available on most Islands in Hawai’i. 

As Vice Chair of the House Committee on Human Services I have supported numerous bills to increase payment and reimbursement for medical caregivers to help alleviate our critical shortage. I have worked at every opportunity to increase funding and access to health care. Specifically I have and will continue to support increasing the work force and funding including Doctors (school loan and and GET exemption), Nurses (expansion and funding of training) and education and wages for Healthcare workers at every level. 

Yet this is not enough. Even with Act 2 in 2023 reproductive care is still at risk, even in Hawai’i: The “Due Process Clause” of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution provides a "right to privacy" and in Hawaii, abortion law is based on the right to privacy, yet that was overturned in In Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.  So we must stay vigilant!

What the House of Representatives should have done in 2023-24 session was to codify abortion rights in the Hawai’i Constitution, which requires 2 legislative sessions with ⅔ vote.  It was not done as shockingly the 2022 legislature didn’t have those numbers when polled and in 2023 there were still not enough votes.  Given the Republican threat at both national and local level, even (and especially) in my district, and the growing number of anti abortion elected officials in the State House, we must try again to pass a Constitutional amendment.  

We are not yet safe:  It is not just the insufficient constitutional protections or needed additional funding for care expansion.  Beware of opponents that are election deniers in opposition to abortion, gender affirming care, funding HPV vaccines and STI screening and other reproductive health care.  This is completely unacceptable and I will vigorously fight for reproductive rights for all people.

I live in Kihei Hawaii, not Beijing not Moscow. 

I am proud to live in a country where human rights like privacy & healthcare are respected and supported, in a state where medical professionals are protected and in a society where our constitution is understood and upheld with noble actions from many of my honorable colleagues.  Although attacked by the National Republican party, I was proud to stand up for reproductive rights very publicly (see my speech on the House floor on 3/17/23) and I will always continue to do so.

What needs to be done to preserve a woman’s right to choose in Hawaii now that the conservative Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade? 

We must immediately take 4 concrete steps:

• 1) Codify Roe

⅔ vote in each house for 2 years to make constitutional amendment and ballot issue if needed

I note that a recent poll had barely enough to do this in the state House. We must do this!

• 2)Increase accessibility: Only 2 islands out of 7 populated have any access!

We MUST Increase access to all Islands. Abortions are only available on Maui and Oahu. 

We MUST Increase work force and funding. Need more Nurses and Dr.s I have a plan.

• 3)Federal funding and health insurance may be cut

We MUST Fill The Gap in funding and codify requirement that health insurance provide abortion health care. 

• 4)Make Hawaii a safe haven for women from anywhere and health care providers without fear of cross state prosecution. 

We have a moral responsibility to protect reproductive rights and healthcare givers. 

Hawai’i must be a leader. 

I will stand up for your rights!

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