Op/Ed: SCOTUS overturn of Roe v. Wade could have far-reaching consequences in Indiana
At this point, it seems inevitable that Indiana will be placing more restrictions on the lives of women to control their bodily autonomy. It also seems obvious to many Hoosiers that this is a bad idea, with repercussions that go well beyond a single court decision.
On July 6, during a special session of the Indiana General Assembly, Indiana’s state senators and representatives will cast their votes. And that will be it: More restrictions will be placed on women’s bodily autonomy.
More news: Indiana poised to limit abortion access after Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade
Overturning the 50-year precedent set by Roe v. Wade that allows a woman to make the serious decision of childbearing in private consultation with her physician will have serious implications for women and their families. Here are just three examples.
Economic stability. Simply put, overturning Roe v. Wade will affect women in all circumstances of life. It will affect women of lower economic means disproportionately. Hoosier women with economic means will be able to travel out of state for legal abortions. Without that option, some Hoosiers might resort to dangerous measures to terminate a pregnancy or carry the baby to term and be forced to rely on unstable welfare safety nets.
More news: Abortion is still legal in Indiana — for now. Here's what is and isn't allowed.
More news: Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade: Indiana's political leaders react to abortion ruling
Bodily autonomy. It’s horrifying to think that a pregnant woman sitting with her health care provider will not have the freedom to rule her own body. And it’s frightening to know that, in essence, elected officials have made health care decisions for her without any knowledge of her health and her life situation.
A slippery slope. Gutting the fundamental ground on which Roe was based — the idea of privacy — allows other landmark cases to come up for grabs. Specifically, it could open the door to overturning cases that affect Americans’ ability to make their own decisions about:
● birth control and contraceptives,
● same-sex marriage, and
● fertility treatments, including in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
As inevitable as this decision might seem, we are not content to stand by and watch the dominoes fall, and you shouldn’t be either. We must make our voices heard, letting our elected officials know that we not only oppose an abortion ban in Indiana, but also insist that they take action to protect women and families from the ripple effects that ban would have.
More news: Hoosiers gather at Indiana Statehouse in the wake of watershed Roe v. Wade reversal
Bottom line: Let them know that, together, we stand by women’s freedom to make decisions about their health care and families. We stand by life, liberty and Roe.
Sign up to be a Women4Change Action Advocate and learn about ways you can join the effort to make our voices heard by those who represent us.
Martha Lamkin and Elcira Villarreal are board co-chairs of Women4Change.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: SCOTUS overturn of Roe could have far-reaching consequences in Indiana
