Last week, NPR published an interview with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in which she said the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion was like any other decision, it should be left to the people. The comments led to an outcry from conservatives who sought to paint Ginsburg as out of touch with the reality of abortion access today and on the wrong side of history if Roe is overturned by a conservative Supreme Court majority. Unfortunately, they also point to an all-too-common misperception of the court’s ruling in Roe v. Wade.
What if Roe v. Wade Is Overturned?
Several news organizations have reported that President Trump intends to nominate Judge Brett Kavanaugh, 53, to fill Anthony Kennedy’s seat on the Supreme Court. Last year, then-Judge Kavanaugh ruled in favor of allowing an undocumented immigrant teenager held in government custody to obtain an abortion—the first time he ruled on an abortion case. Since then, other reports indicate that Judge Kavanaugh has changed his mind and no longer believes a woman has a constitutional right to have an abortion.
If confirmed, these changes would likely shift the balance of power on America’s highest court for decades to come. This could mean overturning Roe v. Wade—and with it, women’s access to safe and legal abortions across America. In fact, if Roe is overturned, states will be able to make their own laws about whether or not they want to allow abortion services within their borders. Some states may decide they don’t want any abortions; others may decide they only want certain types of people—such as poor people or immigrants or rural residents—to be able to get them.
What will Happen to Women Without Abortion Access?
At least 3.8 million American women are expected to live in states without abortion access by 2022, according to a study published today by Guttmacher Institute researchers Rachel Jones and Jenna Jerman. That number could be even higher if some states pursue bans on medication abortion or fail to keep up with changing medical practices regarding reproductive health care.
Can Technology Help Save Low-Income Pregnant Women?
In light of recent rulings on abortion laws, one of America’s largest health insurance companies decided to take action. Blue Cross Blue Shield has announced plans to expand data collection through devices and mobile apps, which could eventually be used to curb women’s access to safe and affordable abortion services. While these devices may help low-income pregnant women, they also risk violating their privacy.
Privacy Concerns with Tracking Pregnant Women: If you live in a city like New York or San Francisco, you may have noticed an influx of smart parking meters that can track your movements as you drive around town. Each time you stop at a different spot, sensors report back your car’s location so that municipal officials can charge users for street parking. While these devices are convenient and easy to use, they also raise privacy concerns. For example, what if someone wanted to collect data on people who visit Planned Parenthood? All they would need is access to a smartphone app and one of these smart parking meters—and voila! Now they know exactly when and where women go to get abortions. This might sound farfetched, but it’s not outside the realm of possibility. In fact, big data has already been used to curb reproductive rights in other countries.
