MSNBC: 42 Years After Roe, Nancy Northup Sees Danger and Hope

In a powerful op-ed on MSNBC.com, Center for Reproductive Rights president and CEO Nancy Northup takes stock of the continued fight for reproductive freedom on the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

Citing the ongoing legislative assault that threatens to undermine the constitutional guarantees of Roe, Northup cautions:

We are closer than ever to the dark days that preceded the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic decision 42 years ago, when women of means could travel to get safe care, and women without were left with few or no options.

Despite the fact that seven out of ten Americans support upholding Roe, Northup notes, women’s access to contraception and abortion care is increasingly imperiled. Yet there are a host of good options for lawmakers to support that will counteract the underhanded efforts of anti-choice politicians.

Among other measures, the Women’s Health Protection Act—reintroduced this week in Congress—would protect access to safe, legal abortion care for all women across the U.S. The bill would invalidate laws that single out abortion providers for restrictions that are medically unnecessary, do not promote women’s health or safety, and limit access to abortion services.