The US Supreme Court on Friday struck down the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, along with a supporting 1990s-era decision known as Planned Parenthood v. Casey.
The decision, foreshadowed by a draft of the leaked majority opinion earlier this year, has enormous ramifications for those seeking abortion care in the United States — almost immediately. Abortion bans enacted before 1973 remain on the books in several states. Additionally, Republican-led states have enacted so-called “trigger” laws over the years, which are laws restricting abortion or implementing near-total bans with provisions that put them into effect if Roe is ever overturned.
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The guaranteed right to an abortion, enshrined in US law for nearly 50 years, has now been erased, kicking the issue back to states and allowing them to set abortion law as they see fit. Here’s a review of what abortion access could look like now that Roe is overturned, based on existing laws in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Christina Prignano can be reached at christina.prignano@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @cprignano.