Report details impact of Dobbs decision on women's healthcare

Government
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Senator Mazie K. Hirono | U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono

Two years after the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) has joined Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and 14 other women Democratic senators in releasing a report titled "Two Years Post-Dobbs: The Nationwide Impacts of Abortion Bans." The report outlines how the Dobbs decision is affecting women's health care across the United States, irrespective of whether states have abortion bans.

"This report illustrates the state of our strained reproductive health care system and the nationwide impact of Republicans’ extremist ideological agenda to exert power and control over women’s bodies," said Senator Hirono. "Two years after the Supreme Court’s devastating Dobbs decision, women continue to face attacks on their fundamental reproductive rights—from being denied life-saving emergency care to being forced to travel long distances for abortion care—and I will continue fighting for reproductive freedom for all."

The report is based on interviews and discussions with more than 80 healthcare providers and advocates from across the country. These front-line workers describe how overturning Roe v. Wade has harmed care for women nationwide. Key findings include:

- Women are being denied emergency healthcare, with some patients requiring airlifts to protective states.

- Patients are traveling long distances for abortion care, particularly highlighted by Florida's abortion ban burdening patients across the South.

- Healthcare workers are avoiding states with abortion bans, contributing to healthcare deserts throughout the country.

In addition to Senators Hirono, Cantwell, and Schumer, Senators Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) also released the report.

Senator Hirono remains committed to protecting reproductive health rights. This week, she voted to advance the Reproductive Freedom for Women Act, which failed in a Senate vote tallying 49-44 with nearly every Republican voting against it. Prior to this vote, Senator Hirono delivered a speech highlighting the consequences of the Dobbs decision.

Last month, Senator Hirono issued a statement on the Supreme Court's ruling in United States v. Idaho concerning EMTALA and supported legislation like the Right to IVF Act aimed at protecting in-vitro fertilization services.