The right to safe, legal abortion is no longer protected under the U.S. Constitution. But we will not be defeated.
In a landmark decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to overturn our fundamental right to abortion and turn its back on 36 million Americans of reproductive age. This decision demolishes 50 years of precedent and goes against the 80% of Americans who believe that abortion should remain legal.
The Supreme Court has allowed Mississippi to ban abortion and opened the floodgates for other states to follow. Twenty-six states have already begun to and will continue to implement severe bans or will outright eliminate abortion access, causing unwanted pregnancies, increasing generational poverty, denying the ability to achieve aspirational plans, and burdening individuals to overcome unjust barriers like travel for care. Abortion bans disproportionately harm Black, Latino, Indigenous, and other people of color.
This decision is wrong, and we are outraged.
What Happens in California & At Your Local Planned Parenthood?
In California, abortion will remain legal and will become a sanctuary state for abortion access. Planned Parenthood of Orange & San Bernardino Counties (PPOSCB) is dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate reproductive care, including abortion to anyone who needs it, regardless of what state they live in or their ability to pay.
The Guttmacher Institute anticipates the number of out-of-state individuals looking for reproductive care in California could increase from a previous 46,000 to 1.4 million, with 1.3 million of these people residing in Arizona. PPOSBC is expecting to see an additional 2,000 abortion patients a year from Arizona alone. That’s more than 40 people a week.
Nevertheless, we are prepared for an influx of patients:
- We’ve hired and trained additional staff to meet the expected increase in out-of-state patients while continuing to meet the needs of patients in California
- We’ve expanded our Health Centers and added exam rooms to accommodate for higher patient volume
- We are opening a new Health Center in early 2023
- We’ve established the Abortion Aid Program to assist patients with accommodations and travel expenses in order to access care at one of our Health Centers
“At Planned Parenthood of Orange & San Bernardino Counties, we are here to provide the best care possible for all patients who come to us, including patients from out-of-state—but the situation on the ground is dire, and we need additional support,” said Dr. Janet Jacobson, Medical Director and Vice President of Clinical Services, PPOSBC.
The California governor and the current state administration is planning for a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would ask voters to ensure permanent abortion access in the state. There’re also a dozen bills pending in the Legislature to bolster and protect abortion services, patients, and providers.
We Will Keep Fighting
Generations before us have fought tirelessly to gain and protect the rights we have today.
This ruling directly impacts the rights of the next generation — unless we fight on. Every day in every way, we will stop at nothing to make sure people have access to the essential health care needed to control their bodies and build their futures.
Everyone must have the freedom and power to make decisions about their own body and life—not judges, politicians, or unfounded bans. Whether or not a person has access to abortion should not depend upon ZIP code, income level, or immigration status.
Fuel Your Anger Into Action
- Donate
Help us continue to provide the care and resources that our communities have come to rely on and ensure that everyone has the access they need to control their body, their life, and their future. Give today at pposbc.org/give. - Vote
Help keep California a reproductive freedom state by ensuring we elect officials at all levels of government that support access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion. Learn more at March2ThePolls.org.
- Advocate
Sign up to receive action alerts from our political arm, the Community Action Fund of Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties (CAF). You’ll receive information on upcoming volunteer opportunities, events, and ways to take action in making sure California remains a Reproductive Freedom state and that champions for reproductive health care at all levels of local government are elected and re-elected. Visit communityactionfund.org for more information and to sign up.
How Did We Get Here?
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
In December 2021, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments on a Mississippi state law that bans abortion after just 15 weeks of pregnancy.
SB 8
This Texas law, passed in May 2021, bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. Not only is this law a direct attack on freedom of choice for people who can become pregnant, it’s predatory nature rewards civilians with $10,000 and legal fees to sue anyone who assists someone in receiving abortion care including someone who drives a patient to an appointment, someone who helps pay for care, and doctors and nurses who carry out the procedure.
Women’s Health Protection Act
In May of 2022, the U.S. Senate failed to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would have served as a nationwide safeguard for abortion rights.
Trigger Laws
13 states have immediately enacted trigger laws that are modeled after SB8 and further restrict access to abortion and allow civilians to be rewarded for ousting abortion providers or anyone who assists in helping someone access abortion care.
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