A draft opinion from the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) leaked earlier this week showed the Court’s intent to reverse abortions protections outlined in cases Roe v. Wade and Casey v. Planned Parenthood.
The draft written by Associate Justice Samuel Alito stated, “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled. Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences.”
Non-profit Women Have Options Ohio (WHO/O) shared their reaction to the Court’s stance, stating that the potential ruling will ultimately lead to the oppression of countless Ohioans.
“Their decision is blatantly a product of extremist, anti-choice rhetoric that plagues conversations about reproductive freedom,” said Jordyn Close, chair of WHO/O’s Board of Directors. “All abortion bans are racist, classist and dangerous. The oppression of our bodies, especially of Black and brown Ohioans is tactical, and our liberation will never be handed down in the form of a Court opinion.”
Since 1992, WHO/O has provided women with financial assistance and support to access contraception, emergency contraception and abortion services. Until the ruling is final, WHO/O says it will continue to support its patients.
“We will continue to serve our community and help patients bridge the financial and logistical gaps they face when seeking care,” said WHO/O Interim Executive Director Maggie Scotece. “WHO/O will always push forward towards our mission to provide economic and reproductive liberation of all Ohioans.”
WHO/O says that abortion access will become more financially and logistically inaccessible for many women, especially those that are disabled, are from low-income communities or face multiple oppressive factors.
The organization anticipates a rise in requests for services this summer. WHO/O cited a study from the Ohio Policy Evaluation Network that found state residents could see a tenfold increase in travel times to access an abortion if Roe is overturned.
“This decision could push abortion further out of reach for thousands of poor and working class Ohioans,” WHO/O said. “From the draft to final decision, WHO/O will rally among and alongside organizers, clinics, storytellers, and patients as we claim the liberation that is justly ours.”
According to The New York Times, several states have enacted “trigger-bans” – laws that would swiftly outlaw abortions when and if Roe is overturned. Ohio currently does not have a trigger-ban but, in March 2022 Ohio House Bill 598 was introduced, which seeks to ban abortion in all cases except medical emergencies and would make performing an abortion a first-degree felony charge. If signed, the bill would also prohibit the manufacturing and sale of medications and devices intended for abortion purposes. WHO/O says the bill is expected to clear the House and Senate. HB 598 is the latest in a string of proposed anti-abortion bills that have made their way through the Ohio legislature.
For more information, visit www.womenhaveoptions.org.