Here & Now

Advocates Await US Supreme Court Arguments in Abortion Cases

Frederica Freyberg:

Coming up next week, the U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments in what’s described as the most influential abortion case in nearly 50 years. The high court’s action on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health could overturn Roe v. Wade and criminalize abortions across the country including in Wisconsin. “Here & Now” student journalist, Kim Leadholm, spoke with advocates on both sides of the issue.

Tanya Atkinson:

We are facing the most serious threat to abortion access in this country in 50 years, and certainly in the state of Wisconsin.

Frederica Freyberg:

Tanya Atkinson from Wisconsin Planned Parenthood supports abortion access and Gracie Skogman with Wisconsin Right to Life does not. They weigh in on the high court case.

Gracie Skogman:

It would with change everything here in Wisconsin, and we believe that it would put this back into the state’s control.

Kim Leadholm:

The case to be heard before the high court is a challenge to a Mississippi law that bans almost all abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy. This case could overrule Roe v. Wade and allow states to restrict pre-viability abortions. Wisconsin has had a law on the books since 1849 criminalizing abortion. It is not being enforced because of Roe v. Wade. However if Roe is overturned, abortion could once again become a crime in the state of Wisconsin.

Gracie Skogman:

What we believe at Wisconsin Right to Life and in the pro-life movement is there is no constitutional right to an abortion and there’s also no federal law that enshrines that right. So we believe that that Roe v. Wade decision was judicial overreach.

Tanya Atkinson:

We’re going to do everything we can to make sure that patients who need an abortion in Wisconsin can still turn to Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, and that we can help make sure that they are connecting to places where they can have a legal abortion and they’re connecting safely.

Kim Leadholm:

In Texas, there is a heartbeat law making abortion illegal after six weeks. This case is currently being considered by the U.S. Supreme Court and could hint at what the court may decide in the Dobbs case.

Gracie Skogman:

The heartbeat case in Texas does not directly challenge Roe in the same way that Dobbs does, but I believe it will be very insightful. I certainly hope that we see an overturning of Roe v. Wade, but I don’t know if I can go so far as to say that I expect that.

Tanya Atkinson:

I do think that people across the state of Wisconsin are very concerned about what’s happening, and I do anticipate as the elections grow closer and people are looking at who their elected officials are, they are going to be very in tune to what the different candidates, where the different candidates stand on accessing safe and legal abortion in Wisconsin.

Kim Leadholm:

A decision in the case that directly challenges Roe v. Wade and possibly Wisconsin abortion law is expected by the end of June. For “Here & Now,” I’m Kim Leadholm.

Frederica Freyberg:

The Dobbs case goes before the U.S. Supreme Court next Wednesday.