Roe v. Wade Supreme Court Draft Rouses Nurses

Editor’s Note: This article is being updated with new information as it becomes available.

Nurses, patients, and healthcare providers remain in waiting as historic Roe v. Wade protections face potential undoing. Earlier this week, an opinion draft was leaked by Politico with a handful of votes from Supreme Court justices supporting the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

The initial draft was written by Justice Samuel Alito and supported by Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. Politico also reports Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen Breyer, and Elana Kagan were working on dissents or disagreements with the proposed decision.

If Roe v. Wade is overturned, more than 100 million Americans will be left without access to legal abortions and reproductive care. This will widen the abortion gap that affects minority and low-income patients. Wealthier patients seeking abortions can afford to cross state lines, while banning abortions will create even more barriers for those of lower income.

“This leaked opinion confirmed our worst fears,” says Laura Meyers, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington. “However, it’s not a surprise. You didn’t have to be a clairvoyant to see these signs.”

Overturning Roe v. Wade could also compromise the level of care or counseling nurses can offer to their patients seeking abortion and reproductive care. Some nurses could also begin leaving abortion and reproductive care altogether in search of better job security, further limiting access to care.

Upon hearing the leaked news of a potential overturn of Roe v. Wade, Lauren Haines, a nurse practitioner providing sexual health services, initially felt surprised and shocked. Beyond the shock of a major document being leaked to the public, it was disheartening knowing it could be the opinion of the majority of the court, even after decades of regression in U.S. reproductive rights, the latest seen in Texas’ abortion law SB8.

“It really feels that women’s healthcare and equality are regressing, instead of progressing,” Haines says.

Here is a quick rundown of Roe v. Wade and why it was and continues to be a progressive law passed in 1973:

Overturning Roe v. Wade will not ban abortion nationwide but will allow states to decide abortion laws, including whether to restrict or even ban abortion. Twelve states have already authorized “trigger bans,” laws that will immediately go into effect if Roe v. Wade is reversed.

As many as 26 states already have abortion laws that either entirely ban abortions or cut access to it. The Guttmacher Institution compiled a list of states that already totally or near totally ban abortions if Roe v. Wade is reversed:

Some states and the District of Columbia are protecting abortion laws and believe in the right to choose. These states include:

The Biden administration supports abortion rights and President Biden calls the drafted opinion “radical.” He points out that overturning Roe v. Wade can infringe on other rights like the right to to use contraception and same-sex marriage.

Reactions are strong from healthcare organizations as well. They are speaking against the possible legalization of the abortion ban.

“Abortion is healthcare,” Meyers says. “It plays such a critical role in the continuum of reproductive health. Nurses are so central to that.”

Overturning Roe v. Wade affects all aspects of healthcare access for individuals seeking reproductive care. Haines points out abortion clinics don’t only perform abortion procedures.

Women’s sexual and reproductive health has always been in the forefront of political debate. Having access to safe, reproductive care is a right for all individuals seeking care. But taking away that right directly affects those who lack access to economic opportunities like higher-paying jobs, which would allow them to afford to cross state lines.

If Roe v. Wade is overturned, lower socioeconomic patients seeking abortion will be “forced to either figure out a way to have an abortion (most likely an unsafe abortion) or be forced to carry a pregnancy to term,” Haines says.

Nurses play a critical role in the provision of:

“It’s essential that nurses can provide patients with medically accurate information free of ideological bend, so patients can make decisions based on medically accurate information that nurses can provide,” Meyers explains.

Healthcare organizations already take a stand for the importance of advocating for sexual and reproductive health.

Many nurses may not advise patients for fear of legal action taken against them. Haines also fears nurses will leave the speciality altogether in search of better job security, resulting in even less access to care.

Haines says that nurses will play an instrumental role in helping patients impacted by the potential overturn of Roe. v. Wade. They are the direct link to patients seeking information on reproductive health. Nurses are also trained to provide comprehensive care and education to their patients.

Nurses should feel empowered to get involved. After all, this is what nurses do and who we are. Haines suggests getting involved locally.

“If you are able – attend protests, call your legislators, and donate to your local abortion organizations,” advises Haines.

Other suggestions include:

You can also do the following:

Abortion is still legal, and it is the pregnant patient’s right to choose what they need for their body. Call your local abortion clinics if you need care or have questions, Haines says.

If Roe v. Wade is overturned, it is a direct attack on reproductive rights. It is important for nurses to stay involved and not give up.

“The opinions of the healthcare community are valued and needed in government,” says Haines.