What National Attacks on Abortion Mean for Minnesota
The Threat to Safe, Legal Abortion
Abortion is still safe and legal in Minnesota.
On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade, the decision that established the constitutional right to have an abortion. By overturning nearly 50 years of precedent, the Court has put people’s access to safe and legal abortion in Minnesota and across the country in jeopardy.
In 2021,Texas passed S.B. 8, the most extreme abortion ban in our country’s history. The law essentially eliminates access to safe, legal abortion in Texas and paves the way for other states and municipalities, including Minnesota, to do the same.
Abortion access is fundamental to health equity.
Attacks on abortion access disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), those with low incomes, and those living in rural areas. People with means will always be able to overcome unnecessary barriers to access abortion, but all people should have access to the health care they need.
What does this mean for abortion access in Minnesota?
Minnesota is not immune to attacks on abortion. Politicians determined to ban abortion continue to pass or try to pass bills that make it increasingly difficult to access abortion in our state. In fact, bills to fully ban abortion have been introduced in the Minnesota House each of the last three bienniums.
There is more we can do to protect and expand abortion access in Minnesota and we are uniquely positioned to protect abortion access in our region. We must prioritize passing the Protect Reproductive Options Act (PRO Act) to ensure Minnesotans can access the abortion care they need, no matter what happens at the courts.
Join the fight to protect and expand abortion access in Minnesota.
We know the majority of people support the right to safe, legal abortion—but a vocal minority is leading the charge against abortion, contraception, and comprehensive sex ed in this country. That’s why supporters of reproductive freedom must speak up now before it’s too late—and encourage our friends, families, and communities to do the same.
Sign up to join the fight for abortion access in Minnesota and we’ll give you an immediate action to take.
This is Bigger than Minnesota
Because the right to abortion is constitutionally protected in Minnesota under the 1995 Minnesota Supreme Court Gomez decision, other states in our region will turn to Minnesota for abortion care now that Roe v. Wade was overturned. North Dakota and South Dakota both have "trigger laws" which outlawed abortion once Roe was overturned. The other two states in our region, Nebraska and Iowa, are at risk of banning abortion.
