Marking the one-year anniversary of the historic Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health decision that overturned Roe v. Wade we list out what has happened over the past year.
Newsdesk (24/06/2023 19:30, Gaudium Press) Here are some of the developments and impacts of pro-life measures in the United States following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. Here is a summary of the key points:
1. State Abortion Restrictions: Currently, 14 states have banned almost all abortions, and half of all states have enacted strong pro-life protections. Additional states have limited the gestational age at which abortions are permitted, ranging from six weeks to 20 weeks.
2. Decrease in Abortions: A report from the pro-abortion nonprofit Society of Family Planning indicated a more than 6% decrease in the number of abortions nationwide in the six months following the Dobbs decision. This decrease resulted in an estimated 32,260 fewer abortions.
3. Estimated Lives Saved: The Charlotte Lozier Institute, the research and education arm of SBA Pro-Life America, estimates that approximately 60,000 lives have been saved in the year since Dobbs based on available data. The estimate takes into account extrapolation from the Society of Family Planning’s data and includes states that normally don’t report abortions.
4. Impact of Pro-Life Laws: The “Lifesaving Laws in the States” tracker by SBA Pro-Life America estimates that approximately 181,178 abortions have been or would be impacted annually by being prohibited in the 25 states with significant pro-life protections.
5. Challenges with regard to abortion pills: One of the challenges faced by the pro-life movement is the availability of abortion pills and the ease of travel across state lines for obtaining abortions. Efforts are being made to limit the interstate flow of abortion drugs and address concerns about access to abortion without appropriate medical supervision.
6. Violence and Vandalism: The pro-life movement has faced incidents of violence, targeting, and vandalism following the Dobbs decision. Pregnancy centres, pro-life groups, and Catholic churches have been subject to attacks.
7. Ballot Setbacks and Strategies: Pro-life ballot initiatives faced setbacks in some states during the 2022 midterm elections, while pro-abortion initiatives succeeded in California, Vermont, and Michigan. The success of future ballot initiatives will depend on various factors, and pro-life advocates emphasize the need for clear messaging and addressing the abortion issue directly.
8. Looking ahead to 2024: Pro-life presidential candidates are encouraged to take a strong stance on the abortion issue and clearly articulate their pro-life protections. Educating the public about abortion laws and international comparisons is seen as important. While a national gestational limit is unlikely to pass given the current Senate makeup, pro-life candidates are urged to implement a “whole-of-government approach” to promote the value and dignity of human life through executive orders and other means.
9. Warning Against Complacency: Despite recent successes, pro-life advocates warn against complacency and the need to continue making the case to the American people. The push for the Woman’s Health Protection Act and the Biden administration’s focus on expanding abortion access raises concerns about potential setbacks in 2024. Funding for the pro-life movement is also highlighted as an area of concern.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from CNA