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The Future of America’s Abortion Fight

Anti-abortion activists across the country are optimistic that they might be on the cusp of achieving a long-held goal of the movement: overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that extended federal protections for abortion. But many abortion rights activists are hopeful, too. They are watching closely to see whether the Food and Drug Administration will roll back restrictions on one medication, transforming abortion access across the country. Today, we explore the future of America’s abortion fight. Guest: Pam Belluck, a health and science writer for The New York Times.
Duration
27m
Broadcast on
16 Dec 2021
Audio Format
other

Anti-abortion activists across the country are optimistic that they might be on the cusp of achieving a long-held goal of the movement: overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that extended federal protections for abortion.

But many abortion rights activists are hopeful, too. They are watching closely to see whether the Food and Drug Administration will roll back restrictions on one medication, transforming abortion access across the country. Today, we explore the future of America’s abortion fight.

Guest: Pam Belluck, a health and science writer for The New York Times.

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For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. 

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

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This podcast is supported by TikTok. Sometimes the most interesting discoveries are the ones you weren't looking for. That happens every day on TikTok. A science experiment can spark a whole new interest. A recipe you stumble upon can become a meal you make for the people you love. And a restaurant you've never heard of might become your new favorite spot. That's the thing about TikTok. Follow your curiosity and see where it leads. Your next discovery is waiting on TikTok. From the New York Times, I'm Sabrina Tavernisi. This is The Daily. It was a devastating hearing for millions of women across this country who are watching the Supreme Court look like they are going to overturn Roe v. Wade and take us back into the days of back alley abortions. This is a tremendous opportunity. You know, we are asking the court to overturn Roe v. Wade. And it's time, it's been nearly 50 years. As the Supreme Court appears set to dramatically roll back abortion rights, later today, federal regulators are expected to issue a ruling that could significantly expand them. I spoke with my colleague, Pam Bellic, about what that decision will mean for the future of the abortion fight in America.
It's Thursday, December 16th. So, Pam, we're at a moment in our country right now where we are fundamentally rethinking the laws around abortion. And we're looking to next year to a potential reality where Roe, you know, the 1973 decision that made abortion legal nationally, could very well be overturned and abortion would become illegal immediately in many states. And of course, those who oppose abortion would see that as a real victory. But people who support abortion rights are really worried. You know, they say that it would mean going back to the time before Roe when abortions were really quite dangerous. And I guess my question for you is, is that right? How do women get abortions these days? What does it look like out there? - Yeah, a lot of things have changed since the 1970s. First of all, for the last 30 years, the abortion rate has been declining. Now we have about 900,000 abortions per year in this country and the abortion rate is less than half of what it was in 1980.

Transcription truncated.

Anti-abortion activists across the country are optimistic that they might be on the cusp of achieving a long-held goal of the movement: overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that extended federal protections for abortion. But many abortion rights activists are hopeful, too. They are watching closely to see whether the Food and Drug Administration will roll back restrictions on one medication, transforming abortion access across the country. Today, we explore the future of America’s abortion fight. Guest: Pam Belluck, a health and science writer for The New York Times.