Today, in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana law that could have left the state with only one abortion provider.
carafem stands with abortion providers in Louisiana in gratitude for the work they have done to preserve access to safe and legal abortion. We’re also breathing a sigh of relief for all Louisianians who are seeking abortion care today.
While it’s wonderful to hear some good news from the Supreme Court, the narrow decision provides little assurances of where the Court will stand on the numerous abortion cases right behind this one, winding their way through the federal court system. While the Supreme Court has stepped in today to cast out unjust politically motivated restrictions, at the local level we remain focused on new threats as we speak.
In case you haven’t heard, we’re expecting the governor of Tennessee to sign a bill this week which will ban abortion as early as six weeks – before many people know they are pregnant. Each time this tactic has been tested across the country, it has been enjoined and ultimately found unconstitutional. In partnership with the ACLU, Center for Reproductive Rights, and other local abortion providers, we have already taken legal action and filed for a temporary restraining order. Our hope is that this will be quickly granted, causing our clients only minimal disruption of care until the matter can be resolved in court.
Also, in Georgia, the decision on a similar abortion ban is due within weeks. We’re doing everything we can to collaborate with local partners to continue the fight in the higher courts while ensuring clients can find the care they need when they need it.
Throughout this challenging period, we’ve stayed in close communication with our clients to update them on each new challenge to reassure that we are here to serve them. It is a confusing time for many but we’re here to remind everyone that abortion is still legal in the US and carafem vows to continue to fight for access to safe legal health care options in the communities we serve.
At local and national levels, carafem is more determined than ever to fight for and provide exceptional abortion care. We’re ramping up our efforts for telehealth abortion care in new states and making plans to build new health centers.
Want to help us increase abortion access in the US? Consider making a donation today. Every dollar of your donation counts and is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
