repro
  WATCH

News This Week: 1/30 - 2/5

This week, the Associated Press found that Black and brown communities “will bear the brunt” of diminished access to abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned.

• The reporting analyzed statistics from the Kaiser Family Foundation. According to the data, people of color comprise of 44% of Mississippi’s population, but 80% of women receiving abortions. Similarly in Texas, minority communities compose of 59% of the population and 74% of those receiving abortions.
• A coalition of reproductive justice scholars issued a similar warning in September, when they submitted a brief to the Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization – the case challenging Mississippi’s 15-week ban on abortion. A decision from the Supreme Court is expected in the case by June.

A bill that would ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy is moving quickly through the Florida legislature.

• Lawmakers rejected a proposal this week that would add exceptions for rape, incest and human trafficking to the bill.
• With anti-abortion majorities in both chambers and an anti-abortion governor, it is expected to pass and be signed into law. If enacted, it will go into effect July 1.
• Arizona and West Virginia have also introduced 15-week abortion bans this session in anticipation of a SCOTUS decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

While eight states have introduced bills copying Texas’ abortion ban, some of those bills are being rejected.

• This week, lawmakers in both South Dakota and Idaho rejected proposed bills that would mimic the citizen-enforced ban on abortion in Texas. These same lawmakers have indicated they may try to pass different copycats or abortion bans later in the session.

Coming Up

Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch to speak at Federal Society convention (TONIGHT)

• The convention will feature a panel entitled “The End of Roe v. Wade?” and a speech from Mississippi Solicitor General Scott Stewart, who argued before the Supreme Court two months ago in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and explicitly requested the Court overturn Roe.
• Media are barred from the event.

Texas Supreme Court to hear challenge to Texas six-week ban (Feb. 24)

• The court will consider whether or not the Texas Medical Board has the authority to revoke the medical licenses of doctors who violate S.B. 8 by providing abortions after six weeks in the state.
• The ban has now been in effect for over five months.

Did You Know?

Part of a North Carolina law that Gov. Roy Cooper signed last August has taken effect this week. Adults in the state can now receive some contraceptives from qualified pharmacists without a prescription. This allows someone seeking birth control to avoid visiting a doctor or finding a clinic, which has become increasingly difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic.