Today, on May 3, 2022, the conservative US Supreme Court has announced its plans to strike down Roe vs. Wade, leaving millions of women without safe, legal abortion. In the past year, the USA has seen several states implement increasingly restrictive abortion laws. 

The Texas Heartbeat Act prohibits abortion once a heartbeat is detected, which can occur 6 weeks into a pregnancy. It leaves enforcement up to private citizens, who will be awarded a bounty of $10,000 if they successfully win a lawsuit against a provider or anyone who helps a patient obtain an abortion. Several states followed suit with increasingly restrictive laws. 

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill into law that makes it a felony to perform an abortion, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $100,000. Women will not be persecuted for getting an abortion. The ramifications however, will be on their access to safe abortion. 

Another pertinent case that will determine women’s reproductive autonomy is the U.S. Supreme Court judgment on Mississippi’s abortion ban after 15 weeks of pregnancy. A drastic cut from the 24 week line previously ruled on. The court’s decision is expected to be released in June. 

Once the Supreme Court rules to overturn Roe, abortion could immediately be prohibited in 24 states and three territories. Millions would be obligated to travel to receive legal abortion care, however for many it would be impossible due to financial and logistical reasons. 

As abortions are restricted or outright banned, even under circumstances of rape or incest, women will be forced to make dangerous decisions regarding their health. The bills proposed today will only compel women to risk their lives and health by seeking out unsafe abortions. Up to 13% of maternal deaths worldwide are a result of secretive and unsafe abortions, which can include the risk of complications like infection, sepsis, trauma, hemorrhage, and death. 

Black women, people of color, indigenous, and low-income communities already lack access to healthcare and comprehensive sexual education. They face poorer health outcomes due to the policies legislated that deliberately target their autonomy and health. These abortion bans will exacerbate health, economic, and social disparities that exist already today.