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Supreme Court 
Overturns Roe and 
Ends Abortion Protections

Scroll down to learn how you can get involved.

Abortion remains LEGAL in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont

Before we get into the impact that this dangerous and chilling decision will have on our country, it's important to note that abortion is still safe and legal across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Our doors remain open and we continue to provide our full range of services, including abortion care. This is because in overturning Roe, the Court is allowing each state to decide the legality of abortion and abortion remains legal here. We do not anticipate any immediate changes. 

What This Decision Means

The Supreme Court has ended the constitutionally protected right to abortion access. Each state will decide the legality of abortion and more than half the country is expected to ban or restrict it.

Overturning Roe v. Wade marks the first time the Supreme Court has gone back on an individual right it previously established. It throws away nearly 50 years of precedent and goes against the will of the people: 80% of Americans believe that abortion should be legal.

This decision takes away the right to control our bodies and personal health care decisions, giving it to politicians in individual states, which will leave many without access to safe, legal abortion.

26 States Could Ban Abortion

There’s no sugarcoating this:

In overturning Roe v. Wade, 26 states are now certain or likely to ban abortion. We will soon start to see a ripple effect of abortion bans across the country, allowing politicians to have free rein in personal, medical decisions. 

Abortion access is now at risk for more than 40 million women of reproductive age, and more people who can become pregnant but do not identify as women.

Outlawing abortion will most harm Black, Latino, Indigenous, and other people of color, because of this country's legacy of racism and discrimination.

What could happen to abortion access in ME, NH, and VT?

We do not anticipate any immediate abortion changes in our region and abortion remains legal in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. However, this could change depending on who is elected in November. There may also be delays in accessing abortion care as more patients travel from states where abortion becomes illegal or harder to access, to states where abortion remains legal. 

Maine

Current abortion restrictions: Abortion after viability ban with exception for the health and life of the pregnant person. 

Supportive State Laws: Abortion protected in state law since 1993.

Overturning Roe Impact: Abortion remains legal, but that could change depending on who is elected in November.

New Hampshire

Current abortion restrictions: 24-week abortion ban with exceptions for fatal fetal diagnoses and the life of the pregnant person; and parental notification for minors.

Supportive State Laws: None.

Overturning Roe Impact: Abortion remains legal, previously established NH abortion restrictions remain in effect, and we anticipate increased efforts to further restrict abortion access, especially depending on who is elected in November.

Vermont

Current abortion restrictions: None.

Supportive State Laws: Abortion protected in state law since 2019; Pending amendment to the VT Constitution - Reproductive Liberty Amendment - that would guarantee everyone has the right to make their own reproductive decisions (will appear on the General Election ballot in November).

Overturning Roe Impact: Abortion remains legal.

How can I get involved?

  • Donate to PPNNE to help us provide quality reproductive health care to tens of thousands of patients across ME, NH, and VT.
  • Donate directly to our Laura Fund, which provides financial assistance to those seeking abortion but cannot afford the procedure. 

  • Amplify abortionfinder.org to help people who are seeking abortion care

  • Be a vocal advocate for reproductive health and rights on your own networks and tag @ppnne

  • If you are a high school age youth, consider becoming a PPNNE peer educator or participating in our annual youth summit! To learn more email [email protected]. 

  • If you are a health care provider, make sure all patients of reproductive age know how to plan and/or prevent pregnancy in accordance with their reproductive choices. 

  • Parents, caregivers, and schools can make sure young people have age-appropriate and medically accurate information about healthy relationships and sexual and reproductive health. 

Other ways to take action by state: 

Maine:

New Hampshire:

Vermont: 

  • Visit the Planned Parenthood Vermont Action Fund website to learn more about the Reproductive Liberty Amendment, including ways to volunteer, pledge your support, and donate.  sign up to volunteer to help pass the Reproductive Liberty Amendment. 

  • Sign up to volunteer. 

Media Inquiries 

Maine: Nicole Clegg - 207-272-4477

New Hampshire: Sara Persechino - 603-568-1921

Vermont: Eileen Sullivan - 646-467-0674