Statement

Roe v. Wade Decision Will Deny Millions of People the Freedom to Control Their Own Bodies

Given our nation’s legacy of racism, abortion rights are not only a matter of reproductive health but of economic and racial justice.

By

Published on Jun 24, 2022 in Health

The Supreme Court has voted to strike down Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to abortion and allowing states to ban access to this time-sensitive care. In response to the decision, New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) releases the following statement calling on lawmakers to set an example for other states to follow by removing barriers to abortion care.

Nicole Rodriguez, President, NJPP:

“Striking down Roe v. Wade will deny millions of people the freedom to control their own bodies and lives. At its core, abortion care is a health service that has profound consequences for both the health and economic stability of pregnant people and their families. When such a personal and monumental decision is taken away, it disproportionately harms those who have already been pushed behind by decades of exclusionary, racist, and discriminatory policies. Given our nation’s legacy of racism, abortion rights are not only a matter of reproductive health but of economic and racial justice.

“New Jersey may have secured the right to abortion care, but decades of indifference to breaking down barriers to access means that abortion care remains out of reach for young adults, people in low-paying jobs, Black and brown families, and immigrants without a path to health insurance. State legislators have an opportunity to meet the moment and take immediate action to make abortion care accessible for all, yet deeply entrenched stigma and misinformation are holding them back. With a radicalized Supreme Court that has no problem taking away our rights, New Jersey lawmakers need to step up to protect their constituents and set an example for other states to follow.”

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Author

  • Nicole Rodriguez, Research Director, is an experienced public policy advocate who researches and advocates for state policy solutions that centers the needs of communities. She is skilled in policy analysis, research, writing, communication, and nonprofit organization and management. Her research interests include labor and economic policy at the intersection of work and family.

    Before joining New Jersey Policy Perspective, Nicole was a Senior Researcher at Community Labor United (CLU), an organization that brings together community and labor partners to speak in one voice on issues that impact working-class families throughout Greater Boston. Specifically, Nicole drove strategic campaigns forward with rigorous research and leadership that stabilize and strengthen low-income families and communities of color.Prior to that, Nicole worked as a Senior Policy Analyst at the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, an independent research organization that produces non-partisan policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state’s economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. Nicole has authored numerous reports focusing on family economic security and the state budget.

    She has also worked for foundations, non-profits, and state and local governments in Massachusetts. She holds a Master’s in Public Policy from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University and a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from Villanova University.

    Email: rodriguez (at) njpp.org | Phone: 609-393-1145 ext. 18
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