Supreme Court to Hear First Abortion-Related Case Since Change in Balance of the Court

As state legislatures attack abortion access at record pace, the Supreme Court will hear case on pre-viability ban

WASHINGTON — Today, the Supreme Court announced it will review Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban, a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade and nearly 50 years of precedent since that landmark decision. This is the first direct challenge to Roe v. Wade the court will hear since Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation. The case, brought by the Center for Reproductive Rights on behalf of Jackson Women’s Health Organization — the last abortion provider in Mississippi — challenges a blatantly unconstitutional ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

This year alone, state legislatures have introduced more than 500 abortion restrictions in nearly every state in the country. With three Trump nominees on the court, anti-abortion legislatures and governors have become even bolder in their attacks on essential health care. More than ever before, anti-abortion politicians seem intent on making abortion access entirely dependent on where you live and how much money you make, an unacceptable way for people in this country to live.

The Mississippi law is currently blocked, with both a federal district court and the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals recognizing it is unconstitutional. If the Supreme Court allows the Mississippi 15-week ban to take effect, many other states are at risk, including Louisiana, where a similar ban is on hold. With 16 other abortion-related cases just one step away from the Supreme Court and 25 million women of reproductive age at risk of losing abortion access if Roe is overturned, the protections guaranteed under Roe v. Wade are in jeopardy like never before.

Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, president, Planned Parenthood Action Fund:

“Anti-abortion politicians have exploited their power for this exact moment: the opportunity for the newly comprised Supreme Court to take away our right to abortion. Whether it’s in the state house or in the courthouse, we must demand our rights and freedoms be protected by those in power. By taking this case, the court will be reviewing nearly 50 years of precedent guaranteeing our right to abortion. In a country where your ability to access abortion already depends on your income and ZIP code, the court’s decision could even further decimate access. Planned Parenthood Action Fund and our supporters have been preparing for this moment, and we will continue working with our partners to ensure every person who needs access to abortion can and will get the care they need.”

Statement from Staci Fox, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Southeast Advocates:

“As is often the case, Mississippi is the testing ground for some of the most regressive, abortion legislation in the country. We knew the day would come when that dangerous legislation would not only threaten the health, lives, and freedoms of Mississippians, but the entire country. That day is finally here. This is why elections matter. With the current makeup of the Supreme Court, reproductive freedom is now at stake on a national level. We stand with our partners at the Jackson Women’s Health Organization and we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that abortion remains accessible.”

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Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy and electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.

As the organizing, advocacy, and electoral arm of Planned Parenthood Southeast, Planned Parenthood Southeast Advocates (PPSEA) engages in grassroots lobbying and electoral activities, including voter education and mobilization. We believe elected officials should support policies and programs that protect and expand reproductive rights and access to health care. PPSEA works to educate and mobilize the public and elect lawmakers who support these policies.