Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

On behalf of 29 local governments across the country, Public Rights Project filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to uphold Roe v. Wade.

The brief, filed on Sept. 29, 2021, outlines that racial and socioeconomic disparities are especially pronounced in the area of reproductive health. It also states that pregnant women who cannot access abortion care face increased health risks and economic vulnerability. In the brief, the coalition argues that local governments rely on the fundamental right to abortion guaranteed by Roe v. Wade so they can develop public health programs to help their communities, particularly programs to bridge racial health disparities. 

 If Roe v. Wade isn’t upheld, 22 states were likely to severely restrict or completely ban abortion. The brief argues that this would disproportionately harm women of color and low-income women as well as prevent local governments from bridging these disparities in healthcare. 

Update:
On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and took away the constitutional right to abortion. Now, individual states can decide to limit or ban abortion access.