Whoa, the decision by the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade came as a slap in the face to many of us (not enough though) and has really thrown a wrench in the gears when it comes to our reproductive health, and autonomy to our bodies, hasn’t it? After it was overturned in 2022 it has been shaking things up in a big way, creating this tsunami of attacks on abortion rights and basic human rights for women (I’m looking at you Texas). People are calling it a public health crisis. Yikes. The whole situation has been described as the erosion of civil liberties, our civil liberties.
Scary stuff.
Enter Vice President Kamala Harris, who’s got some strong feelings about it. She says she’s all in for restoring reproductive freedoms. If there’s a law that could bring back abortion rights to the national stage, she’s ready with her pen to sign it—no hesitation. The Biden-Harris crew was already big on reproductive health before, but trying to make headway in Congress has been like swimming upstream since Roe fell. Nothing’s easy.
Now, if Harris lands in the top seat, she’s got her work cut out for her. There’s a need to make sure abortion access is a reality for everyone, regardless of where you live or how much is in your wallet. What might this look like? Well, getting some federal laws down on paper to cement abortion rights and tackling hurdles like the Hyde Amendment, which keeps Medicaid from covering abortion.
People in several states are shaking their pom-poms for abortion rights, even as more restrictive policies try to sneak in. And let’s not forget old-school laws like the Comstock Act, lurking like a ghost at a rehearsal of the same old play. Harris needs to put them to bed for good.
Additionally, we gotta enforce what’s already supposed to be there. EMTALA says emergency abortion care is a must, no ifs, ands, or buts. The folks over at the ACLU are on the case, shouting for more investment in reproductive resources, especially for those without deep pockets. They’re cornering Harris, keeping tabs on her promises, and urging us all to shout for federal laws pushing for reproductive freedom. Go team!