Abortion Care Network’s Statement on SCOTUS Decision to Hear Case Challenging Roe v. Wade

The Supreme Court announced on Monday it has accepted Mississippi’s request to review Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a case challenging the state’s unconstitutional ban on abortion care after 15 weeks. With a 6–3 conservative majority, the SCOTUS review could have a far-reaching impact on Roe v. Wade and dire consequences for abortion access across America. Following this news, Erin Grant (they/ them), Deputy Director of the Abortion Care Network (ACN), has issued the following statement:

As a network of independent abortion care providers and fierce defenders of abortion access, we are extremely disappointed that the Supreme Court decided to hear a case on Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban, which has already been deemed unconstitutional by a Mississippi federal judge and the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Independent abortion clinics (indies) provide the majority of abortion care in the United States. They meet and care for their communities where others can not, operating in the most politically hostile states. Jackson Women’s Health Organization — the independent clinic at the center of this case — is the last remaining abortion clinic in Mississippi and the only healthcare facility in the state that publicly provides patients with the abortion care they need.

Independent abortion clinics actively care for and advocate for the rights of pregnant people across the US every day. They answer to their communities by providing expert care throughout pregnancy and fighting unconstitutional abortion restrictions in the courts, in their states, and in their communities.

More than anything, this case underscores the importance of independent clinics. Independent clinics play a crucial role in helping patients access the healthcare they deserve, the healthcare that they are seeking, and the healthcare that is their right. With a new Supreme Court and an ever-changing political climate, access to essential care is ACN’s main priority. Continuing to support independent clinics is the key to reaching this shared goal, because we’re stronger together.

Abortion Care Network is a national, member-based nonprofit association dedicated to serving independent abortion care providers and their allies. ACN works to ensure the rights of all people to experience respectful, dignified abortion care.