Opinion: Navigating a Post-Roe World

By: Gennifer Allen

On June 24th, the Supreme Court took away the constitutional right to an abortion, overturning Roe. Vs. Wade. Cries were heard all over the nation when the news was announced. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) labeled the supreme court ruling “a slap in the face to women.”

Despite the Supreme Court’s extreme efforts, abortion will not go away by making it illegal. Women are going to find a way to have abortions one way or another, which could put them at risk. The most vulnerable will be women of color, and poor women who don’t have the money or opportunity to travel to another state to get an abortion. Realistically, the recent ruling is making abortions unsafe.

Everyone’s plan for abortion is going to look different, which means the time to start planning for one is now. Not sure where to start? Here’s what you need to know to get an abortion in a post-Roe world.

Understand what states allow abortion

According to this tracker from The Guardian, these are the states where abortion currently continues to be legal: Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Washington D.C.

Locate your closest abortion provider 

Sites like abortionfinder.org and plannedparenthood.org are great resources that allow you to input important information such as age, location, and how far along you are in your pregnancy to inform you about your available options.  

Check to see if there are any guidelines or restrictions within your state

You should contact your provider to see if any guidelines have been changed or restrictions have been put in place. If you previously had an appointment for an abortion scheduled, get in touch with your doctor or your designated medical office as soon as possible. 

Keep in close contact with your clinic or provider 

Regulations regarding abortion could continue to change along the way. Keep in contact with your provider to ensure that you are up to date on all adjustments and developments. 

This can be an unsettling time for women. Please make sure to take care of yourself, know your options, and stay informed.