Memorandum

TO: All Supporters
FROM: Enid Muthoni Ndiga
DATE: May 10, 2023
SUBJECT: Recent case updates

The Center for Reproductive Rights is litigating dozens of cases around the world to challenge restrictions on access to abortion and other reproductive health care and to expand reproductive rights. Your support makes our critical work possible. Below are some highlights of the Center's current and recent cases. Please consider supporting our work today.

First lawsuit brought on behalf of women denied abortion in the U.S. since Roe v. Wade was overturned
The Center filed a groundbreaking lawsuit on March 6, 2023 seeking to clarify the scope of Texas's "medical emergency" exception under its extreme abortion bans. The case was brought on behalf of five Texas women—each denied abortion care after facing severe and dangerous pregnancy complications—and two Texas obstetrician-gynecologists. Zurawski v. State of Texas is the first lawsuit brought on behalf of women denied abortions since the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated the constitutional right to abortion and cleared the way for states to ban it entirely.

Medicaid Continues to Cover Abortions in Montana
A Montana administrative rule that would have effectively eliminated access to abortion care for most Montanans insured through Medicaid was blocked last week in response to a lawsuit filed by the Center and our partners. The new state rule would have created chaos for patients and providers. The lawsuit argues that the rule violates the Montana Constitution—in Montana, Medicaid is required to cover "medically necessary" care, including abortion care.

New legal protections for pregnant women in Latin America and the Caribbean
A ruling announced by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in January will set new standards to protect pregnant people during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum from obstetric violence across Latin America and the Caribbean. The ruling came in a case involving a pregnant Argentinian woman whose death resulted from inadequate medical treatment. The Center filed an amicus brief in the case—the only party to do so—requesting that the Court adopt standards concerning the definition of obstetric violence and States' duties in cases when obstetric violence occurs. The Court adopted most of the Center's recommendations in its ruling.

Thank you for all you've done so far this year to support our litigation to advance reproductive rights. We will continue to update you on these and our many other cases.

Enid Muthoni Ndiga
Chief Program Officer