The Independent View: States Guaranteed Right to Abortion Once Roe v. Wade Overturned

A Leaked Supreme Court Draft Majority Opinion, strongly suggests that Roe v. Wade could be Overturned this summer, but a Number of States have already implemented Protections for Abortion Access, regardless of whether or Not the Court Strikes down the 1973 Ruling.

Policymakers in 16 States, as well at the District of Columbia, have approved Laws preventing State inference when it comes to Abortion Access, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

Four States and the District of Columbia Codified the Right to an Abortion throughout Pregnancy, and 12 States Protect Abortion “prior to viability or when necessary to protect the life or health of the pregnant person,” the Guttmacher Institute writes.

The 16 States with Laws protecting Abortion, even if Roe v. Wade is Overturned include: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

In Colorado, the Reproductive Health Equity Act, Blocks any Public entities from Interfering, Denying, or Restricting Abortions. "This bill simply maintains the status quo regardless of what happens at the federal level and preserves all existing constitutional rights and obligations," said Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D), in a statement after Signing the Bill.

23 States already have Laws that could be used to Ban Abortion should the Supreme Court strike down Roe v. Wade. “Trigger laws” have been passed by Legislators in 13 States, according to the Guttmacher Institute, meaning that Abortion Bans will automatically go into effect, if Roe v. Wade is Overturned.

Those States include: Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.

Five additional States have Abortion Bans predating the 1973 Ruling, which haven’t been enforced in Decades, but could go back into effect if Roe v. Wade is Ooverturned. In at least Two of those States: Arizona and Michigan, their Governors are against a Total Ban on Abortion.

Many States with Abortion Protections are bracing for an even further Increase in People traveling from neighboring States.

In California, a series of Abortion Rights Bills could Expand the State’s number of Abortion Providers, provide Financial Assistance to Pregnant People traveling to California seeking Abortion Assistance, and Legal Protections for Doctors.

In Oregon, $15 million in Financial Assistance was recently Approved to help Patients afford Abortion Services, including those who travel from out of State.

In response to the Draft Leak, Politicians like: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY, 14th District), and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI, 13th District), are calling for Congress to Codify the Landmark Case and Protect the Rights of all Americans, which Joe Biden had pledged to do during the 2020 Presidential Election.

“People elected Democrats precisely so we could lead in perilous moments like these — to codify Roe, hold corruption accountable, & have a President who uses his legal authority to break through Congressional gridlock on items from student debt to climate,” tweeted Ocasio-Cortez. “It’s high time we do it.”