June 24, 2022
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruled 6-3 to uphold the Mississippi 15-week abortion ban and in turn, overrule the constitution protections for abortion care set by Roe v. Wade in 1973.
In response, Jamie Bardwell and Danielle Lampton, Converge’s Co-Founders, released the following statement:
“We believe every person deserves access to the full range of reproductive health services, including abortion. The Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization will lead to devastating impacts across Mississippi, particularly for people who are low-income and uninsured and unable to travel hundreds of miles for health care. Today, we grieve for our neighbors in Mississippi and across the South.
Mississippi is one of only 12 states that still hasn’t expanded Medicaid coverage for eligible low-income people. This failure exacerbates health disparities that primarily harm Black Mississippians. Even more incredulous is the state’s refusal to extend Medicaid coverage for 12 months after a baby is born, cutting off coverage at 60 days postpartum. While policymakers claim they care for the health and well-being of children and families, their actions demonstrate otherwise. In a state where Black women are three times more likely to die in childbirth than White women, a lack of expanded postpartum care is a direct attack on families.
The Dobbs decision will increase the demand for contraception in Mississippi. As the Title X grantee in Mississippi, Converge remains dedicated to supporting clinics in our network so they can provide access to the full range of FDA-approved contraceptives as well as emergency contraception and other necessary preventive care. Federal law has long prohibited the use of Title X funds for abortion care.
This summer, Converge and the Title X clinics we fund are rolling out telehealth for family planning care so that any person in Mississippi, regardless of their insurance status, can obtain the birth control they need when they need it. Telehealth will expand the availability of contraception across our state. Our vision is for every person in Mississippi to have access to quality, affordable family planning care.”
Converge is a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring all people can access high quality family planning care when they need it, how they need it and where they live.
CONTACT:
Jitoria HunterJhunter@convergems.org