Who is Affected?
The Dobbs decision impacts many people, but disproportionately harms members of certain groups, including: women, people who are or could become pregnant, and healthcare providers. Among those, people that are already marginalized are particularly affected, such as low-income people, people of color, young people, immigrants, and people under criminal supervision (e.g., in prison or jail, or on probation or parole).
Since states are now allowed to pass and enforce laws that prohibit or greatly restrict abortion care, the Dobbs decision directly affects abortion access. The decision has numerous effects beyond abortion, though, as detailed in the news articles linked below.
People who are or could become pregnant
"Pregnant and at risk of a deadly infection: Women in states with abortion bans face post-Roe reality" (NBC News, August 8, 2022)
"Abortion laws spark profound changes in other medical care" (AP News, July 16, 2022)
"State abortion bans could affect over half of female veterans and women with disabilities, analysis finds" (NBC News, July 11, 2022)
"As abortion ban is reinstated, doctors describe 'chilling effect' on women's care" (The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate, July 10, 2022)
"Who overturning Roe hurts most, explained in 7 charts" (Vox, July 1, 2022)
"All the ways Dobbs will harm pregnant women, whether or not they want an abortion" (Slate, June 29, 2022)
People in states that now prohibit or heavily restrict abortion
"'Chaos and confusion' in states where abortion is on again, off again" (Baltimore Sun, August 11, 2022)
"Texas hospitals fearing abortion law delay pregnant women's care, medical association says" (Dallas Morning News, July 14, 2022)
"Pregnant women can't get divorced in Missouri" ([St. Louis] Riverfront Times, July 13, 2022)
"What clinics in southern states where abortion is banned are doing now" (ABC News, July 11, 2022)
"The 19th Explains: Why some trigger laws still aren’t in effect after Roe v. Wade was overturned" (The 19th, July 6, 2022)
"Tracking the states where abortion is now banned" (New York Times, updated July 5, 2022)
"After losing battle to preserve Roe v. Wade, Mississippi’s last abortion clinic is moving to New Mexico" (Texas Tribune, June 29, 2022)
People in neighboring states
"State-level abortion bans could restrict care in neighboring states, too. Here’s how" (The 19th, July 5, 2022)
Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)
"Abortion ruling worsens access to reproductive healthcare for women of color" (United Press International, July 8, 2022)
"Access to reproductive health care has been harder for Black and brown women – overturning Roe made it harder" (The Conversation, July 7, 2022)
"How Black female support groups are dealing with the end of Roe" (Washington Post, July 5, 2022)
"How Black women will be especially affected by the loss of Roe" (Washington Post, June 25, 2022)
Low-income people
"Economic fallout of Dobbs ruling will hurt poor women most" (Axios, June 27, 2022)
Young people
"What new abortion bans mean for the youngest patients" (New York Times, July 16, 2022)
"'It's scary': Students fear going to college in red states after Roe" (Vice News, July 1, 2022)
"'Where does it end?': Young women react to Roe decision, and worry about what's next" (Vanity Fair, June 29, 2022)
People with miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies
"Medical impact of Roe reversal goes well beyond abortion clinics, doctors say" (New York Times, September 10, 2022)
"They had miscarriages, and new abortion laws obstructed treatment" (New York Times, July 17, 2022)
"Confusion post-Roe spurs delays, denials for some lifesaving pregnancy care" (Washington Post, July 16, 2022)
"Texas sues health secretary over emergency abortion guidance" (ABC News, July 14, 2022)
"Biden admin: Docs must offer abortion if mom's life at risk" (AP News, July 11, 2022)
"‘A scary time’: Fear of prosecution forces doctors to choose between protecting themselves or their patients" (Stat News, July 5, 2022)
"Missouri doctors fear vague emergency exception to abortion ban puts patients at risk" (St. Louis Public Radio, July 3, 2022)
"'People will die': OB-GYNs explain how ectopic pregnancy and other complications threaten lives without abortion care" (CBS News, July 1, 2022)
People using in vitro fertilization (IVF)
"Infertility patients and doctors fear abortion bans could restrict I.V.F." (New York Times, July 5, 2022)
Chronically ill people who use medications like methotrexate
"Post-Roe, many autoimmune patients lose access to 'gold standard' drug" (LA Times, July 11, 2022)
"Anger as woman denied 'abortifacient' medication after Roe v. Wade ruling" (Newsweek, July 4, 2022)
"Women with RA [rheumatoid arthritis], other diseases, may have trouble accessing methotrexate because of abortion restrictions" (Everyday Health, July 1, 2022)
People under criminal justice supervision
"What the end of Roe v. Wade will mean for people on probation and parole" (Prison Policy Initiative, June 30, 2022)
"The end of Roe is ‘horrific’ for incarcerated people seeking abortion care" (NBC News, June 29, 2022)
Healthcare providers
"An Indiana doctor speaks out on abortion, and pays the price" (New York Times, July 28, 2022)
"How doctors are weighing the legal risks of abortion care" (WebMD, July 28, 2022)
"Her ex-husband is suing a clinic over the abortion she had four years ago" (ProPublica, July 15, 2022)
"‘A scary time’: Fear of prosecution forces doctors to choose between protecting themselves or their patients" (Stat News, July 5, 2022)
Supporters of abortion access
"Abortion funds languish in legal turmoil, their leaders fearing jail time if they help Texans" (Texas Tribune, June 29, 2022)