IBLC: SCOTUS decision will disproportionally harm African American women

INDIANAPOLIS – Following the Supreme Court decision to overturn the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade case, members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) have condemned the 6-3 vote, citing irrefutable evidence that abortion restrictions disproportionally harm Black women and women of color.

“Several studies have shown that a nationwide abortion ban would be far deadlier for African American women than our white counterparts,” State Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis) said.

“Black women in this country already face inadequate access to medical care than any other demographic, and women in Indiana generally are more likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth than the majority of American women. Forced births – coupled with the fact that Indiana lacks the proper social infrastructure to care for the children and families already living here – will have drastic consequences for women. Particularly, this decision will have disproportionate negative impacts on low-income women. While women with the means to do so will travel to other states to access safe and legal abortions, low-income women will not have that option. This SCOTUS decision has changed abortion access from a guaranteed right to a privilege.”

Gov. Eric Holcomb has called on the Indiana General Assembly to address the future of abortion in the state when legislators convene for a special session July 6th. It is currently unclear what exemptions – if any – will be offered in legislation.

“While we're expecting the Republican supermajority to restrict abortion access as much as they can, we in the IBLC will work diligently to ensure that the difficult and extremely personal decision to have an abortion will remain between a woman and her doctor,” Shackleford continued. “We will continue to advocate for Indiana's Black community and will make it crystal clear to our colleagues in the General Assembly that any legislation that restricts or prohibits abortion will make the already egregious disparities between Black and white Hoosiers even more apparent.”