SCOTUS Can't Turn Back Time On Abortion Rights, But It Can Do Something Worse

[Amaryllis]

Edited to add: The salient point here is that while overturning Roe directly would create a lot of political blowback, they don't need to directly overturn it to have the same effect.

Laura Hercher -BuzzFeed Contributor

For the first time since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973, five justices hostile to reproductive rights sit on the US Supreme Court. And while many have focused on whether or not this new majority will overturn Roe v. Wade, that question is a distraction. We are not headed backward into the land before Roe — we are headed forward into uncharted territory.

Over the past 25 years, even as Roe v. Wade was upheld, abortion opponents demonstrated that state laws restricting access can be just as effective as an outright ban — so long as the Supreme Court permits infringements on the right to choose. The court’s new right-wing majority can accelerate this process without overturning Roe v. Wade — and potentially avoiding the backlash from a country where the majority of citizens are pro–abortion rights.

A patchwork of state laws would make it seem like access to abortion is tied to geography, but that would be an illusion. People with money, in every state, will always be able to get whatever care they require. This was true before Roe, and it is much more straightforward in today’s world, where air travel is routine and services can be arranged on the internet.

The people quite literally left behind will be an assortment of vulnerable individuals: women lacking money to pay for services out of pocket, working women unable to negotiate an unexplained leave from home or work, women who fear their partners, the very young, the developmentally delayed.

It also means that means that some people will be able to avoid the birth of a child with a genetic disease or disability, and some people will not. Such diseases will become something that happens primarily to certain people in certain places.

More at link:
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/laurahercher/supreme-court-roe-v-wade-abortion-access

[enough]

1. Actually, that would also turn back time. Before Roe v Wade, women with

money and connections could find a discreet safe abortion in the US or could travel to other countries. In either case, money and social status/connections were what made the difference. Poor women could find abortions, but they were not safe and often lethal. I remember this time vividly.

[Amaryllis]

2. I agree. Just posted what she said. And the point that they dont have to specifically overturn

Roe to do the same damage is important. Overturning Roe directly would create a lot of blowback.

[marlakay]

3. My gynecologist said they are stopping abortions

In many states by not having any clinics or places a doctor is allowed to do them.

He doesn’t personally do them but thinks it should be a choice in all states.

[Mariana]

7. They haven't been successful outlawing abortion directly

so they have found other ways to deny women the right to choose.

[SCantiGOP]

4. Several groups are already making plans

In the event this happens there will be a national program to provide transportation and medical services to women who can’t afford it. I know Planned Parenthood and NARAL are already looking at this.
Not ideal but a worthy and necessary backup plan.

[GulfCoast66]

5. They should start now

Many states have only a few places that perform them.

[Nay]

8. Several groups are also stockpiling abortion pills and are planning the distribution of them by mail

and other means. Blessings on them.

[diva77]

6. But Susan Collins is sure that Roe v Wade is settled law!!!