Four abortion legal battles one year post-Roe v. Wade reversal by Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court’s Decision on Abortion Regulation Sparks Unprecedented Legal Challenges

One year ago, the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization shifted the power to regulate abortion back to the states, leading to a wave of legal challenges. This landmark decision overturned 50 years of abortion access precedent established under Roe v. Wade, setting the stage for a dramatic shift in the legal landscape surrounding abortion.

The Ongoing Battle for Abortion Access

Since the Dobbs decision, abortion rights groups have filed lawsuits against restrictions in nearly two dozen states, intensifying the fight for reproductive rights. On the other side, anti-abortion groups see the overturning of Roe as a stepping stone and have taken the opportunity to seek even further restrictions on abortion-related matters.

Here are some of the top legal issues surrounding abortion access one year after Dobbs:

1. The Fate of the Abortion Pill

Immediately after the Dobbs decision, the case of Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA emerged as a significant challenge to abortion access nationwide. This case specifically targets the federal government’s approval of the abortion pill, mifepristone, which is commonly used in early pregnancy terminations.

In April, a U.S. District Judge ruled that the FDA improperly approved mifepristone, marking the first time a judge had ever done so. The case is now being appealed to the Supreme Court, which has temporarily blocked the ruling while the case unfolds.

2. South Carolina’s Fight to Defund Abortion-Providing Groups

In a recent decision, the Supreme Court allowed South Carolina to defend its efforts to block Medicaid funding from going to Planned Parenthood. This case, Kerr v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, is seen as a major battleground for states’ rights to allocate tax dollars away from abortion and towards other forms of healthcare.

3. Florida’s Abortion Ban and the Outcome of a 15-Week Suit

Florida’s Governor, Ron DeSantis, signed a law imposing a six-week abortion ban, but its implementation is on hold due to an ongoing lawsuit challenging a previous 15-week abortion law. The outcome of this suit, Planned Parenthood v. Florida, will have implications for the potential enforcement of the six-week restriction.

4. Texas Lawsuit Alleges Denial of Abortions Despite Health Risks

In Texas, several women have joined a lawsuit alleging that they were denied abortions despite facing medical complications. The state’s restrictive abortion law allows exceptions for life-threatening conditions, but these women claim that doctors have advised them to seek help outside of Texas. The lawsuit seeks to block the bans on abortion in cases of pregnancy complications.

These legal battles highlight the ongoing struggle over abortion access in the United States. As the fight continues, the future of reproductive rights hangs in the balance.