Today, January 22nd, marks the 51st anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. The case provided a right to privacy, specifically in the case of abortion.
Typically, every year for the case is a celebration of the progress America has made towards reproductive rights access nation wide. Yet, since June 2022, the anniversary of Roe serves as a grave reminder of what is to come.
The overturning of this case caused a quick, detrimental transition to many states with trigger bans in place. Thirteen states quickly enforced their trigger laws after the case was overturned. Kentucky, Louisiana, and South Dakota enlisted felony charges to medical professionals who provide abortion services to patients.
With many of these states having few exceptions for those dealing with a medical issue requiring abortion as treatment, people have begun to take refuge in other states for medical care. There are many reasons why someone may need an abortion including: ectopic pregnancy (an embryo implants outside of the uterus), pulmonary hypertension (pressure on blood vessels to heart and lungs is high, can lead to cardiac arrest), severe preeclampsia (large increase in blood pressure, may cause stroke, seizure, or organ damage). These reasons only being a small snapshot of when abortion may be medically necessary.
Ahead of the November presidential election, abortion rights are once again a high ticket opinion for presidential candidates.
Donald Trump, Former US President is once again running for office, under similar abortion thoughts he carried during his 2016-2020 term as president.
Being that the people he appointed to the supreme court during his presidency enacted the Roe v. Wade overturn, it is concerning that he will be once again gunning for the position of president.
Nikki Haley, another major republican candidate, also expressed views against abortion. As the governor of South Carolina, Haley signed a 20-week ban on abortion, and has stated she would sign a 6 week ban if available.
Looking forward, it is key to continue supporting abortion access, and voting if you are 18 and over.
