Velázquez Announces State of the Union Guest

Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) announced that Dr. Meera Shah will be the Congresswoman’s guest to the State of the Union address by President Biden on Thursday. Dr. Shah is a family medicine physician currently serving as the Chief Medical Officer of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic in New York.
 
“When the Supreme Court overturned Roe, it left many Americans scared about the vast repercussions that it would have on reproductive rights in our country,” said Congresswoman Velázquez. “However, people like Dr. Meera Shah have become a beacon of hope for women who are attempting to navigate a post-Roe America. I am very excited to have her as my guest to this year’s State of the Union, where she can share her story about her fight to ensure reproductive rights for all.”
 
“I am grateful to Congresswoman Velázquez for inviting me to this year’s State of the Union and for her continued support of the work we do at Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic. It’s an honor to represent my fellow health care workers, patients, and community in this pivotal moment for reproductive justice. Together, we are working towards a future where reproductive freedom is no longer up for debate, and all people have access to the health care they need and deserve.”- Dr. Meera Shah, Chief Medical Officer of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic.
 
Dr. Shah completed medical school at George Washington University in Washington D.C. and family medicine residency at Mount Sinai/Beth Israel Medical Center and the Institute for Family Health in New York City. She has an MS in Nutrition as well as an MPH, both from Columbia University. Her work to provide abortion services to underserved communities has been profiled by outlets like the Washington Post. She is a fellow with the Physicians for Reproductive Health, serves on the board of Whole Woman’s Health Alliance, and is a constituent of NY-7.
 
Throughout her career, Congresswoman Velázquez has been a fierce advocate and fighter for abortion rights. Last year, she served as an original co-sponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act, which seeks to establish a statutory right for healthcare providers to offer abortion services to their patients. She was also an original cosponsor of the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, which counters state-level initiatives seeking to penalize individuals who travel to different states for reproductive health care. In the 118th Congress, the congresswoman is proud to be a Member of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus (PCC)—a group of over 150 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives committed to advancing reproductive rights, freedom, and justice. She is also a part of the Contraception, Family Planning, and Education Task Force.

 
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