| Abortion is not illegal anywhere in the United States. The governor of South Dakota recently signed into law a ban on nearly all abortions. But that law is not in effect. For the time being, abortion is still legal in every state — including South Dakota and other states considering abortion bans.
In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Roe v. Wade that it was unconstitutional for states to ban all abortions. Since then, states have not been able to enforce such bans. Unless the court overrules its decision in Roe, abortion will continue to remain legal in all 50 states. The threat of the court overturning Roe is real, but for now, abortion bans, such as the one passed in South Dakota, will not be enforced.
The Planned Parenthood health center that provides abortion in South Dakota is still open to support the needs of the women in that state. It still offers abortion services, as well as pregnancy testing, pregnancy options information, and other reproductive health services to women who need them.
Unfortunately, some women believe that abortion has already been made illegal in some states. Many immigrant women across the country also believe that abortion is as illegal here as it is in their countries of origin. These women need to know that abortion is still legal in the United States.
We urge women who need abortion services to contact us or other reputable providers. They should not be lured by so-called "crisis pregnancy centers" that will use false and alarmist information to try to frighten and shame them into not choosing abortion. And they should not attempt to provide themselves with abortion. Self-induced abortion without medical supervision is very dangerous and is an unnecessary risk.
Women in South Dakota and any other state seeking abortion services can call 1-800-230-PLAN to be connected to the nearest Planned Parenthood health center. Planned Parenthood is still here to support women, to serve women, and to defend their reproductive rights.
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