Abortion Rights in the U.S. Post-Roe vs. Wade

Historical Context

Roe vs. Wade (1973): Landmark decision legalizing abortion in the U.S.
Impact: Significant portion of women affected; nearly 24% of women may have an abortion in their lifetime.

Decline in Abortions: Numbers have decreased over the years.
Timing: 93% of abortions occur before 13 weeks, extremely rare in later trimesters.
Safety: Legal abortions are safe; only two deaths in 2018.

Pro-Life (Anti-Abortion) Movement:
- Supported by various religious groups.
- Emotional appeals through imagery.
- Successful in influencing legal restrictions, e.g.,
  - Helms Amendment (1973): U.S. foreign aid restricted from funding abortions.
  - Hyde Amendment (1977): No public funds for U.S. abortion services.
Pro-Choice (Abortion Rights) Movement:
- Uses imagery like the wire clothes hanger to symbolize past unsafe abortions.
- Supported by groups like the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and certain religious beliefs like Judaism.

Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992):
- Overturned trimester framework from Roe vs. Wade.
- Introduced viability standard for fetus.
Parental Consent and Waiting Periods: Various laws requiring consent and counseling.

Overturning of Roe vs. Wade (June 2022):
- Supreme Court ruled the 14th Amendment does not provide abortion rights.
- States now regulate or ban abortions individually.

13 States Ban Abortion: No exceptions for rape or incest, except Mississippi.
States with Gestational Limits: E.g., Georgia at six weeks.
States Protecting Abortion Rights: Six states uphold rights in their constitutions.

Idaho Law (April 2023): Criminalizes aiding minors in obtaining out-of-state abortions.
Mifepristone Ruling: FDA's mail-order availability of abortion medication temporarily upheld by Supreme Court in 2023.

The issue of abortion rights remains complex and evolving.
Continues to impact millions, with significant legal, political, and social implications.