Planned Parenthood of Southern New England Reflects on State of Reproductive Rights a Year After Roe v. Wade Overturned

Last year when the Supreme Court handed states the power to ban abortion, it stripped tens of millions of people of the right to make their personal medical decisions; left patients desperate, confused, and fearful; and forced doctors to ignore medical guidelines to obey abortion bans putting people’s health at risk. 

Planned Parenthood of Southern New England continues to provide patients with expert, compassionate abortion care in Connecticut and Rhode Island. As safe and legal abortion is threatened in other areas of the country, we will continue to provide care to patients in our communities and to those who travel to Connecticut and Rhode Island to ensure they have timely access to abortion. 

“Roe v. Wade was just the floor for what abortion access should be — we always needed more. Along with our patients, providers, health center staff, and partners, we will continue to work toward a future where our reproductive freedoms are no longer up for debate.” said Nancy L. Stanwood, MD, MPH, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. 

Although there is much left to be seen about the lasting effects of the overturning of Roe, the dramatic harm of this public health crisis is already clear. Our responsibility is care — no matter what — which is why we are working to build greater access to sexual and reproductive health care for people in every state, including abortion care for people of all races, genders, and economic backgrounds — free from restrictions, stigma, discrimination, and fear.

“Since Roe was overturned and states across the country have banned abortion and erected harmful barriers to care, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England has expanded access to abortion in order to provide care to patients who have been forced to leave their own state for care,” said Amanda Skinner, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England.  “As safe and legal abortion is threatened in other areas of the country, we will do everything in our power to ensure all patients – those who live in our communities and those who travel to Connecticut and Rhode Island –  have meaningful access to the abortion care they need and deserve.”