The U.S. Supreme Court released today their official decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, a landmark case which has protected a person’s right to abortion for nearly fifty years. We at Public Health Solutions are deeply outraged by the court’s decision and infuriated by the unrelenting and systematic dismantling of reproductive care in this country. Make no mistake: legal abortion is proven to be a safe, effective, and essential part of healthcare and today’s ruling will have devastating public health consequences.
In the coming weeks, more than twenty states are expected to quickly ban abortion, along with criminalizing people accessing abortion and the providers who serve them. This will undoubtedly and disproportionately impact our most underserved populations – Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as those who are uninsured, undocumented, or under resourced. Without Roe, not only are their rights to bodily autonomy stripped away, but their lives are also put in greater danger by forcing them to carry unwanted pregnancies to term against their will. This is unacceptable.
Abortion is legal and protected in New York, as it deserves to be throughout the rest of the country. As advocates and providers of high-quality sexual and reproductive health care, we fully support Governor Kathy Hochul and other lawmakers who have tirelessly championed abortion rights in the state. Now, we urge Congress to codify Roe and protect abortion rights. Sexual and reproductive care is health care, and protecting these services is critical to addressing the stark health disparities in our country.
During this truly unprecedented era, Public Health Solutions remains steadfast in our commitment to fight against this national assault on reproductive rights and advocate on behalf of the people we serve every day.
We will continue to provide comprehensive family planning and medication abortion services to New Yorkers in need. We believe everyone has a right to access timely and quality healthcare that they need and deserve, regardless of their insurance, income, or immigration status, and we will continue to protect every person’s right to good health.