PRH and ACN Reporter Roundtable

This roundtable discussion was hosted by PRH and the Abortion Care Network, discussing the potential impact of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health on abortion access in the United States [00:07].

Key points and themes from the discussion include:

  • The Dire State of Abortion Access: PRH President and CEO Dr. Jamila Perritt emphasizes that while the current moment is critical, abortion access has been difficult for many people for a long time due to stigma, shame, harassment, and political interference [03:18].
  • Importance of Language: Dr. Perritt advocates for shifting language from “choice” to “agency,” “autonomy,” and “justice,” arguing that “choice” often disregards the lived experiences and limited options faced by many seeking abortion care [05:49]. She also stresses the need to tell more complicated stories about abortion, moving beyond narratives solely focused on grief or trauma [06:14].
  • Impact on Clinics and Patients:
    • Mercedes Sanchez of Cedar River Clinics in Washington state discusses preparing for a surge of out-of-state patients, the need for funding and staff, and concerns about legal actions and increased harassment [10:08]. She highlights the danger to patients who may be denied emergency care for conditions like ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages in states with bans [11:55].
    • Katie Quiñonez of Women’s Health Center of West Virginia details how abortion bans will exacerbate poverty, increase children in foster care, and drive up teen birth rates, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities [16:38]. She shares her personal story of accessing abortion as a teenager and the obstacles future teens will face [18:27].
    • Tammi Kromenaker of Red River Women’s Clinic, the only abortion clinic in North Dakota, explains their contingency plan to move across the river to Minnesota if North Dakota’s trigger ban goes into effect [23:02]. She highlights the immense challenges and resources required for such a move and the burden it places on both clinics and patients [24:15].
  • Self-Managed Abortion and Future of Care: Dr. April Lockley, Medical Director of the Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline, discusses the hotline’s role in providing medical support to people self-managing abortions [27:02]. She emphasizes that while self-management can be safe and effective, it should not be the only option, and access to information in a patient-centered and culturally appropriate manner is crucial [30:39].
  • Call to Action: We urge journalists to provide accurate information, avoid perpetuating misinformation, and center the experiences of those impacted by abortion bans [02:02]. We also call for donations to abortion funds and independent clinics, and emphasize the importance of voting in upcoming elections [13:51].