Roe repeal would force daunting dilemma on women seeking abortion

I am furious that a conservatively stacked Supreme Court reportedly has decided to strip abortion care from millions of people of reproductive age. By ignoring half a century of settled law and overturning Roe v. Wade, this court will deliver a devastating blow to those who will find themselves in an abortion desert, because once Roe is overturned, every state that borders Illinois will quickly move to either severely restrict or ban abortion, forcing people to face a daunting dilemma - travel hundreds of miles to access abortion in a state where care is safe and legal, seek an illegal alternative or carry a pregnancy to term against their will.

Let's be clear, people with economic means will always be able to access needed abortion care. This unprecedented and blatantly cruel decision hurts people who already face immense barriers to care. Patients are forced to navigate child care, time off work, travel expenses, missed classes and find overnight accommodations. Black, Latinx and Indigenous folx, people with disabilities, people in rural areas, young people, immigrants and those having difficulty making ends meet are most affected by these extreme laws and restrictions.

And this is the direct result of systemic racism, ongoing white supremacy and coercive reproductive policies across the country.

Abortion is extremely common - nearly one in four women in America will have an abortion by age 45. So this means that every single person reading this either has had an abortion or knows - and loves - someone who has an abortion. The draft of the court's ruling is not reflecting what the majority of Americans believe; in poll after poll, a majority of people in the U.S. say they believe that abortion should remain legal in all or most cases.

We are fortunate in Illinois, because whatever happens at the Supreme Court this month or next, abortion is and will remain safe and legal in this state. Illinois is a safe haven for abortion care in the Midwest because of the Reproductive Health Act (RHA) passed in 2019, which repealed outdated state laws and affirmed the legal right to access abortion in Illinois.

Abortion is essential, time-sensitive health care. Denying people the right to access needed health care will have a chilling ripple effect. The health centers offering abortion care will see their appointments fill up quickly, causing patients to travel farther or delay care longer. Here in Illinois, we have already seen a dramatic increase in patients fleeing their home state to come to Illinois for care. Once Roe officially falls, we expect to see that number grow to anywhere from double to five times the patients we currently see.

We must come together now and start having real conversations about abortion. We need to break the stigma surrounding this very common and very safe medical procedure and stand up to the vocal minority. Because all people deserve to have quality health care when they need it and where they live.

• Dr. Amy Whitaker is chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood of Illinois