The State of Abortion

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization involves a Mississippi law that bans abortion at 15-Weeks of pregnancy. Despite the fact that lower courts deemed the law unconstitutional under Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court still agreed to hear the case and decide “whether all pre-viability prohibition on elective abortions are unconstitutional”. If the court upholds the Mississippi law it is essentially reversing its earlier decision in Roe v. Wade, and reversing almost 50 years of precedent. 

On Monday May 2nd, Politico published a leaked copy of the Supreme Court draft opinion for the case which revealed their intentions to overturn Roe v Wade and end the constitutional right to abortion.

Senate Bill 8 is a Texas law that bans abortion in the state after approximately six weeks of pregnancy, before many people know they’re pregnant. The bill also allows regular citizens to sue anyone who aids in a person getting an abortion, for instance, an abortion provider, someone who paid for an abortion, or even someone who drove a patient to get an abortion. It is one of the most extreme abortion bans in the country.

After Texas’ SB 8 went into effect, conservative states throughout the country began implementing “copycat laws” modeled after SB 8. Because the Supreme Court allowed SB 8 to stay in-effect in Texas, conservative legislatures feel emboldened and are preparing to pass extreme bans, once the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, stripping residents of those states from their right to a safe, legal, accessible abortion.

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The best way to break the stigma surrounding abortion is to talk about it. Every day Planned Parenthood staff work hard to provide the healthcare we all deserve, no matter what. With politicians determined to take away our access to healthcare, it's more important now than ever to share your abortion story and show that Planned Parenthood is a vital organization in your community. 

Share why you believe in decreasing abortion stigma and what your abortion means to you. Sharing your story is up to you. Planned Parenthood provides the same quality healthcare to all, whether or not you share a personal experience. #GoodByeStigma

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