Will Dobbs resurrect Jane for the 21st century?

The Dobbs decision of June 24th did more than deal a death blow to nationwide abortion rights.

It also dealt a health, indeed a death blow, to resourceless women in 14 states that have already outlawed abortion that had been legal for nearly 50 years under the Roe v. Wade. Those women will now experience a rise in maternal mortality. A study of 162 countries by the British-German academic publishing company, Springer Nature Group, reveals a disturbing correlation between maternal death and lack of safe, legal access to abortion. They found that maternal mortality increases in countries/areas with restrictive abortion laws that increase illegal, unsafe abortions. Such abortions account for virtually all abortion related maternal deaths. The study concluded that expanding safe, legal abortion is a significant driver in reducing abortion related maternal deaths.

America’s maternal death rate is nothing to celebrate; 53 countries have a lower maternal death rate than the richest, most medically advanced country in the world. With tens of millions in poverty, without recourse to safe, legal abortions, that is not surprising. With abortion outlawed in 14 states; expected to rise to likely 24 or more, the US maternal death rate will sink even lower.

Back in 1969, Heather Booth, a classmate of mine at University of Chicago, co-founded the Abortion Counseling Service of Women’s Liberation in Hyde Park. Known as Jane, from the underground referral notices stating “Need help? Call Jane”, the service did more than counseling. It arranged for over 11,000 abortions for women shut out from the most basic reproductive and heath care that should be an absolute right, At that time, doctors at Cook County Hospital reported that dozens of poor women poured into the hospital weekly, terribly damaged by self-induced abortions. Some died.

Originally using sympathetic doctors, some Jane members learned how to perform the procedure, greatly expanding quick, inexpensive and save abortions during its 4 year existence. In 1972, police raided a Jane apartment, arresting 7 abortion providers. Facing possible life in prison on abortion and conspiracy charges, their attorney delayed the proceeding long enough for the Roe v. Wade decision of 1973 to make their prosecution moot. Jane was soon dissolved as no longer necessary.

Fifty years on poor, desperate women are headed back to the back alley, the emergency room, even the grave. Will Dobbs resurrect Jane for the 21stcentury? It already has.