51^st Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

On Monday, January 22, we mark the 51st anniversary of the passage of Roe v. Wade. Instead of a time for celebration, it serves as a sad reminder of what we've lost. This June will signify two years since our constitutional right to abortion, established by Roe v. Wade five decades ago, was taken away.

The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe unleashed a wave of abortion bans across the nation, exacerbating our existing health equity crisis. Access to abortion has been eliminated in part or entirely in 21 states since then.

In the aftermath of a Post-Roe America, we witness the proliferation of maternity care deserts and a rise in maternal and infant mortality rates. Abusers exploit abortion bans to control those already suffering, individuals face prosecution for miscarriages, and the lives of pregnant people seeking abortion care are endangered daily due to restrictions. Abortion bans don't eradicate the need for abortion care; they merely dictate who has access. Those with the means to travel face hurdles, while those without are compelled to carry pregnancies against their will, exposing themselves to life-altering and sometimes life-threatening risks.

This Monday serves as a reminder that Roe was always the floor, not the ceiling. Our communities have long lacked adequate access to abortion care. The "right" to an abortion has never guaranteed access. It's time to envision new possibilities for our communities, a future centered on equity.

At PPSENFL, we're committed to this vision, focusing on equity as we expand services, including prenatal care, infertility care, and vasectomy care. Our telehealth services have broadened with the Virtual Health Center of South and North Florida launch, ensuring convenient patient care when and where they need it. We're part of Floridians Protecting Freedom, a campaign aiming to place abortion on the 2024 General Election ballot and limit government interference in private medical decisions.

This work is challenging, yet I'm honored to fight forward for our north star — our patients and communities. Together, we will build a more equitable future for all.