Dobbs and disability: Implications of abortion restrictions for people with chronic health conditions

The United States has a long history of undermining the reproductive autonomy of people with chronic conditions. This includes people with disabilities that are seen or unseen, and related or not related to health. The Dobbs decision, a June 2022 Supreme Court ruling which reversed the long-held constitutional right to an abortion, carries tremendous impact on all people. However, people managing chronic health conditions are particularly at risk of harm by the constellation of abortion bans and restrictions emerging across the United States. For example, people with disabilities experience disproportionate exposure to sexual violence, higher rates of unwanted pregnancy, and are at greater risk of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity.