Assault on abortion access quieter; just as dangerous
By Lisa Jarvis / Bloomberg Opinion
In the three years since the landmark Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, the number of abortions in the U.S. has steadily increased, according to new data from the Society of Family Planning. Those data reflect the monumental effort to maintain care; and the increasingly vital role of medication abortion and telehealth in the U.S.
But make no mistake: Abortion access under the Trump administration is increasingly fragile.
Abortion providers and funders are competing for dwindling donations. Republicans are trying to bar Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid funding. States with bans are introducing disturbing laws intended to criminalize women seeking care. And anti-choice activists are pushing for new restrictions on prescribing and dispensing mifepristone, one of two pills that comprise medication abortion.
These threats won’t just affect women in states with the most restrictive laws. Those in places where abortion is legal could face longer waits for appointments, fewer options for care, and less financial support to cover it. Women in states where the procedure is banned may have to travel further for care; and many may end up going without, either because they can’t afford the trip or are afraid to.
https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/comment-assault-on-abortion-access-quieter-just-as-dangerous/