ICYMI: Louisiana v. New York is Latest Attack Threatening Access to Abortion in States Where Care is Legal & Protected
Anti-abortion lawmakers are asking the Supreme Court to override state law and push towards a national abortion ban
WASHINGTON, DC –– This week, Louisiana, Alabama, and Arkansas launched the first-ever direct challenge to abortion shield laws. After the Dobbs decision stripped safeguards for accessing abortion care, shield laws played a crucial role in protecting health care providers and patients seeking abortion care from out-of-state prosecution. This latest lawsuit, Louisiana v. New York, was filed directly to the Supreme Court and could overturn shield laws in New York, California, and Massachusetts.
In response to the latest threat to abortion care in Louisiana v. New York, Gowri Buddiga, Campaign Director for Free & Just released the following statement:
“Time and time again, anti-abortion extremists are willing to weaponize our democratic institutions to attack access to abortion care for millions of patients. The same lawmakers who say that they want abortion laws “left up to the states” are asking the nation’s highest court to override state law and move the country closer to a national abortion ban. The Supreme Court has a responsibility to ensure patients and providers can continue accessing and providing care without facing punishment from other states.”
This news comes just weeks after oral arguments took place in Louisiana v. FDA, a case that could restrict access to the medication abortion across the country –– even in states where it is legally protected. The lawsuit, also brought by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, is motivated by politics and anti-abortion extremism –– not science.
Bottomline: Baseless legal challenges like these represent some of the greatest threats to abortion access in the US since the Dobbs decision in 2022, and leave millions of patients and providers in limbo.
Data from Reproductive Freedom for All and Impact Research finds that Americans across the political spectrum are nearly as opposed to a national abortion ban as they are to middle class tax increases and sweeping cuts to Medicaid. Still, Trump and anti-abortion extremists are weaponizing federal agencies to launch deadly new attacks on access to reproductive health care.
If you are interested in connecting with patients, providers, and local advocates about what is at stake in Louisiana v. New York, and the impacts on our communities nationwide, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us.
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Free & Just is fighting to stop attacks on reproductive freedom and rights. We’re working with people across the country to share real stories to show the devastating consequences of attacks on our reproductive freedom. We all deserve the right to control our bodies and lives. That’s why we’re sharing our stories, raising our voices, and fighting for our future.