Reproductive care is health care.
Abortion is health care. On Jan. 22, 1973, the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision made abortion a legal right.
In June of 2022, the right to a legal, safe abortion was taken away by the Supreme Court, with the Dobbs decision determining that the Constitution does not protect the right to an abortion. This sent the issue of abortion regulation to each state.
Since this ruling, the right to an abortion has been eliminated in a number of states. Doctors who have taken an oath to help those in need and do no harm cannot concentrate on providing necessary procedures on the patient as long as there is a fetal heartbeat, even if the fetus is unviable and will die before or shortly after birth. Even if carrying the fetus any longer could kill or cause permanent harm to the mother.
Senate Bill 8, a law passed in Texas, bans abortions past six weeks. As long as the fetus has a heartbeat, even if it is fading, an abortion cannot legally be performed. This law means that the mother can be near death from complications, but the doctor cannot act without the fear of losing their medical license, going to jail and possibly being fined $10,000. Doctors are choosing not to risk treating these patients, which in essence is doing harm.
Women who are fortunate enough to afford to go out of state for life-saving reproductive care are doing so. Those who cannot afford that option or don’t go soon enough are dying.
Laws similar to Texas’ SB 8 are being passed in other states. The right to reproductive health care is being taken away from those who need it. Clinics that provide affordable additional health care services are being forced to close because of these new restrictions. Is this what we want?
— Lori Siebe
Kodiak
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