Why Alabama’s abortion ban is reminiscent of Pennsylvania challenge to Roe v. Wade
The landmark Supreme Court case from Pennsylvania, Planned Parenthood v. Casey, didn't overturn Roe v. Wade. But could Alabama's anti-abortion law?
Listen 12:45
Protesters for women's rights hold a rally on the Alabama Capitol steps to protest a law passed last week making abortion a felony in nearly all cases with no exceptions for cases of rape or incest, Sunday, May 19, 2019, in Montgomery, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama’s new law outlawing almost all abortions in that state is part of a strategy to challenge abortion nationwide, written so it could get the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider its 1973 Roe V. Wade ruling. But it wasn’t the first law to do so. On this update episode of The Why, WESA reporter Lucy Perkins walks us through Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a 1992 Supreme Court case from Pennsylvania that took a similar tact, and explains why Alabama’s new law could challenge Roe in ways that case couldn’t.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Brought to you by The Why
The Why
There’s more to every story if you take the time to tell it.
Who won the presidential debate?
In their first debate, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris sparred over abortion laws, undocumented immigrants, the price of groceries, and turmoil in Ukraine and Gaza.
Air Date: September 11, 2024 12:00 pm
Listen 51:42
‘Our patients will suffer’: Pa. doctors and elected officials criticize Oz’s abortion comments
In response to a question, Oz said that he is opposed to federally protecting abortion and that he wants “local political leaders” to decide on policy.
2 years ago
Pa. Senate GOP advances constitutional amendment on abortion
Republican state senators are advancing a proposal to add language to the Pennsylvania Constitution stating explicitly that it does not guarantee rights related to abortion.
2 years ago