As you know, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court case, Roe v. Wade, affirmed that the constitution protects the right to choose abortion. And the majority of Americans — 77% — don't want to see it overturned.
But as hundreds of bills banning and restricting abortion wind their way through state legislatures across the country, it's not enough to protect the legal right to an abortion that Roe guarantees.
This is because opponents of safe and legal abortion are strategically designing laws to limit access even though Roe v. Wade remains the law of the land. And the 2021 state legislative season is shaping up to be one of the most hostile in recent history for reproductive health and rights. Already, twelve abortion restrictions have been enacted this year -- compared with only one by this time in 2019.
Rights are meaningless without access — and that is what's really at risk as state legislatures chip away people's ability to make their own health care decisions.
Abortion restrictions may look like:
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The Hyde Amendment, a federal policy that blocks nearly 8 million people enrolled in Medicaid from using their health coverage to access safe, legal abortion. Hyde-like restrictions also affect other forms of federal health coverage, including veterans, active-duty military members, Indigenous people, and federal employees.
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Restricting private insurance coverage of abortion.
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TRAP laws, which are targeted restrictions of abortion providers.
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Abortion bans, including unconstitutional restrictions that ban abortion before many people even know they're pregnant, and bans on medication abortion.
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Mandatory ultrasounds, waiting periods (of up to 3 days), biased counseling before getting an abortion, and other demeaning and medically unnecessary hurdles.
And these cruel laws don't affect all people equally. They put the biggest burden on people who already face structural inequities when it comes to accessing health care, like people with low incomes, Black and brown communities, and people who live in rural areas. The impact of an abortion restriction is very different for someone who has the financial resources to drive long distances, arrange for lodging and child care, and take time off of work — compared to someone who doesn't.
Everyone deserves abortion access — regardless of race, ZIP code, or income. So, what can you do? One action you can take right now is to pitch in to Planned Parenthood Action Fund and recommit to the fight to ensure abortion stays not only legal but accessible, for everyone.
