SPOTLIGHT ON ABORTION CARE & REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE
Good News, Bad News, Headlines Spotlight Abortion Care
Written by Becky Martin, AMSA Senior Manager of Reproductive Health Advocacy
Headlines in the news shine more light on abortion care, reproductive justice, injustice – and nearly write this Spotlight. This week we’ve seen some good, and some stunningly unbelievable, news about abortion care.
Starting with some good news from Europe. Lawmakers in Poland began debating an end to its near-total abortion ban, and the European Parliament demands abortion rights to be enshrined for all Europeans with President of Renew Europe, Valérie Hayer, stating:
“Women’s rights must never fall victim to populism. While Europe’s radical right works hard to find new ways to push through their reactionary agenda, we need to remain a frontrunner and be firmer than ever in upholding women’s rights.
It is time for the right to abortion to be enshrined in law for all Europeans.
Your body, your rights.”
Now, onto some of the unbelievable U.S. headlines and news:
- One in Five Women of Reproductive Age in States with Abortion Bans Say They or Someone They Know Has Had Difficulty Accessing an Abortion Since Dobbs, KFF – Link
- In states with abortion bans, women often take the pill alone, afraid, Washington Post – Link
- Arizona Supreme Court rules state must adhere to century-old law banning nearly all abortions, CNN – Link
As we move closer to the 6-week abortion ban in Florida that starts May 1, we read with horror headlines such as Florida abortion providers prepare for a public health crisis as state’s 6-week abortion ban draws closer; and Advocates fear Florida’s 6-week abortion ban will limit access for sexual violence victims.
And, deeper dives into headlines from Arizona found shouts of ‘Shame! Shame!’ erupt in Arizona House as fight over abortion ban engulfs lawmakers followed by disgust as Arizona House GOP halt Democrats’ effort to overturn Civil War era law in chaotic session. With all this, it should be no surprise that Chaos and confusion ensue at abortion clinics.
Yet, As Arizona Reinstates 1864 Abortion Ban, Doctors & Organizers Fight Back to Preserve Access. Dr. DeShawn Taylor, an OB-GYN physician, abortion provider and the CEO of the only Black woman-operated abortion clinic in Arizona emphasizes she “will continue to provide abortions until we are made to stop.”
State attorneys general are stepping up! Arizona AG says she will not prosecute women, doctors who violate abortion law. Additionally, Nevada Attorney General Expects State to See Influx of Women Seeking Abortion After Arizona Ruling announcing:
“Arizonans dismayed by today’s ruling should know this – if your needs bring you to Nevada,
Nevada will protect you.”
Without surprise, doctors – who like AMSA, believe legal, safe, voluntary abortions should be available to all who need them, regardless of how much they earn, who they work for, or what state they live in – are stepping up too! Read How a network of abortion pill providers works together in the wake of new threats – Groups such as Aid Access, Hey Jane and Just the Pill stay in close contact to help women seeking abortions in states with bans. Find out what you should know about taking abortion pills and the Availability and Use of Medication Abortion.
We also invite you to explore the resources below, and consider sharing them with friends and colleagues:
- Destigmatizing Abortion: Actually, Medication Abortion Is Totally Safe, National Women’s Law Center – Link
- Mifepristone in the Court: What Future Physicians Need to Know, AMSA Repro eNews #9 – Link
- Self-Managed Abortion in the United States, Current Obstetrics and Gynecology Reports – Link
- Recent Findings: Evidence indicates that there is growing demand for self-managed abortion in the USA as obstacles to facility-based care increase, especially since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Self-managed abortion with medications is safe and effective.
- Self-Managed Abortion: Fact Sheet, Physicians for Reproductive Health – Link
- How to have a safe self-managed abortion: A self-managed abortion can be just as safe and effective as the more traditional, facility-based approach. Here’s how. Doctors Without Borders – Link
- Let’s talk about self-managed abortion, Planned Parenthood – Link
- Legal Rights & Risks: Self-managed abortion & abortion pills, Repro Legal Helpline – Link
- Patient Confidentiality & Self-Managed Abortion: A Guide to Protecting Your Patients & Yourself, If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice – Link
- Confronting Pregnancy Criminalization: A Practical Guide for Healthcare Providers, Lawyers, Medical Examiners, Child Welfare Workers, and Policymakers. Pregnancy Justice – Link
Please send any related resources you find interesting and your comments to rhp@amsa.org.
*Note: an excerpt of this Spotlight is included in AMSA Reproductive Health Project eNews #11: Good News, Bad News, Headlines Spotlight Abortion Care, April 13, 2024. Find the current and past issues in the AMSA Repro eNews Archive.
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