I am a 32-year-old woman, and the only consistent medical care that I have accessed since I was a teenager is reproductive health care. There were times when I did not have health insurance and received my care through Planned Parenthood, where I was offered STI screening and treatment, as well as well woman care.

I have had three beautiful children, and my pregnancy with my youngest daughter was fraught with potential complications and expensive testing, which would have left my family financially devastated without access to health care.

Prior to my third child, I sadly suffered an early miscarriage. My health care provider detected the miscarriage and empathetically guided me through my options, of which I selected to allow nature to take its course. It took nearly a month, and the day before Christmas Eve in 2011, I was rushed to the ER with bleeding that was so severe that they could not detect my blood pressure using the BP cuff. I had some bleeding complications with my third child as well, after being induced at 36 weeks due to preeclampsia, which could have killed both me and my wonderful, vibrant, sassy little girl.

WellCare (a provider of Medicaid and Medicare health care) detected abnormalities on my cervix many years ago, which warranted biopsies and more frequent screenings. And a routine mammogram recently detected my mother’s cancer and saved her life. It could also save mine in the future. And my sister’s. And my daughter’s.

Reproductive health care, in my experience alone, has saved the life of my mother, myself, and my daughter. Three generations of strong, proud women. Its importance, and my right to access it, should never come into question.