Repro Roundup: What if Roe is overturned?

Welcome to my column, The Repro Roundup, where I summarize abortion news happening around the country, why it matters, and what you can do about it — in 250 words or less.

What’s the issue? Roe v Wade is a Supreme Court case that made abortion federally legal in 1973 by making abortion about privacy and the right for a woman and her doctor to decide what’s best for her without political interference. Since Trump was elected and the Supreme Court has changed drastically recently there has been increased talk of Roe being overturned, reversed, or gutted. However, this has already been the case for many women. The protections of Roe have already been gutted in many ways due to huge numbers of state and local bans on abortion and abortion access. Another Supreme Court case, Planned Parenthood v Casey, is another example. Abortion was found to be legal, the Court decided it could be regulated right up until the burden became undue, IE until it the regulations on abortion reach the line where abortion becomes impossible to access.

Why does this matter? The “undue burden” standard only really measures the burden of white women. By the time abortion becomes impossible for middle-to-upper class educated white women (whom Planned Parenthood v Casey technically protects), abortion will have already been inaccessible for women of color, trans and gender-nonconforming folks, and low-income women. The burden has already been undue for millions of Americans already. However, should Roe truly fall, millions more people will lose access to care. The Center for Reproductive Rights created an interactive map of the states with abortion laws on the books. Many states will automatically ban abortion, some states will expand access, and others will have to vote on it after.

What actions can I take?

• Donate to your local abortion fund. Abortion funds fill financing gaps for folks who are trying to access abortion care. Find your fund here.
• Urge your lawmakers to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, which codifies the protections of Roe through Congress
• Learn about indy clinics (independent abortion providers) and why you should donate to them instead of Planned Parenthood.
• Buy a mask from Abortion Care Network, the national association for independent community-based, abortion care providers, and their allies.
• Read about how the Trump administration undermines personal liberties beyond Roe.
• Discover how states with more abortion restrictions have fewer protections for women and families.
• Utilize this collection of databases that keep track of abortion laws in this country

• Subscribe to The Repro Queen of DC, my monthly newsletter on abortion access, activism, and writing on the frontlines of DC.
• Subscribe to Repro 101, a seven-week educational email series about all things repro. Topics include the basics of funding abortion, clinic escorting, anti-choice violence, and more.