Press Release: Florida Health Justice Project Statement on SCOTUS Decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization

​​PRESS RELEASE

Media Contact: Alison Yager, J.D.. Florida Health Justice Project
Executive Director; yager@floridahealthjustice.org; 646-322-8111

Florida Health Justice Project Statement on SCOTUS Decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization

Abortion Care is Health Care, A Fundamental Human Right

(Miami, Florida)—Florida Health Justice Project (FHJP), a Florida healthcare advocacy organization, denounces today’s decision by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that established the constitutional right to an abortion.

“We will not stop fighting in defense of this basic, fundamental human right to abortion.” said Alison Yager, FHJP executive director. “Abortion care is health care, and health care is human right.”

Under the SCOTUS ruling, states will have the right to ban or heavily restrict abortion if it is not protected by state constitutions. Florida recently passed a 15-week abortion ban, that is being challenged in court, but is set to take effect July 1.  In light of today’s ruling, opponents of reproductive freedom will likely try to pass new restrictions and consider eliminating  the right to abortion altogether.

“Millions of women of child-bearing age in Florida stand to be hurt by restrictions on abortion access,” Yager said. “But harm will not be experienced equally; people of color, low-income individuals, young people, disabled individuals, and other marginalized and disadvantaged groups will suffer disproportionately, and be put at greatest risk. This is particularly egregious in a state that has refused to expand Medicaid and routinely ranks last or near last in most measures of healthcare.”

As the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have stated: “Induced abortion is an essential component of women’s healthcare…. Personal decision-making by women and their doctors should not be replaced by political ideology.”

FHJP condemns today’s decision and affirms that bodily autonomy, as well as healthcare access, are fundamental human rights.  We will continue to fight to ensure that all Floridians have access to the reproductive healthcare and services they need to make the family-planning decisions that are right for them and their families.

Read more:
“Florida Should Improve Health of Children and families, not limit access to abortion.” Alison Yager, FHJP, Opinion, Miami Herald, February 23, 2022.  https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article258683173.html

Download PDF