Statement From Dr. Avenel Joseph on the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision to Uphold Access to Lifesaving Emergency Abortion Care

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today to uphold access to emergency abortion care in Idaho v. United States and Moyle v. United States. Dr. Avenel Joseph, vice president for policy at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, released the following statement in response:

Nearly two years to the day that Roe v. Wade was overturned, it is a relief to see a reproductive health ruling from the Supreme Court treat women with compassion rather than contempt. 

For nearly 40 years, federal law has ensured that people who need emergency abortion care to protect their health have access to that vital care, regardless of where they live and how much money they have, or whether they have health insurance. Today’s ruling means that neither Idaho nor any other state can undermine that right. 

Even with today’s ruling, there is considerable work left to do to ensure that women and families across the country have access to the full range of reproductive healthcare services as well as healthcare coverage generally. But like physicians, it is imperative that policymakers also adhere to a ‘do no harm’ approach when it comes to health. We hope future Supreme Court decisions on reproductive rights will adhere to this  principle. 

For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact media@rwjf.org.

About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is committed to improving health and health equity in the United States. In partnership with others, we are committed to taking bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime and paving the way together to a future where health is no longer a privilege but a right. To achieve that vision, we are deepening our focus on dismantling one of the biggest barriers to health in America, structural racism.