Statement by the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on leaked Supreme Court opinion:
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners strongly condemns the leaked Supreme Court opinion striking down nearly 50 years of federal protection of abortion rights. Already, states are outlawing abortion care and forcing providers and their patients into the shadows.
People across the country are in fear, concerned about their personal health and safety due to this judicial attack on a well-established right supported by a majority of Americans. In Oregon, we are fortunate to have protections in place, but we know people in neighboring states and throughout the country may be forced to rely on unsafe procedures that will further endanger their health and wellbeing.
History shows us that making abortion care illegal does not end abortion. But it does threaten the health and welfare of people, particularly those who don’t have the privilege or wealth to travel or pay for procedures.
We call upon Congress to act quickly to codify Roe v. Wade. At the very least, we ask Congress to enact a law to protect patients, their healthcare providers, and other supports for traveling out-of-state to access an abortion. We further ask Congress to repeal the Hyde amendment and allow federal funds to be used by low-income individuals seeking to access abortions in states with accessible abortion policies.
We believe this Supreme Court will target other rights included in the right to privacy guaranteed by Roe — including the right to contraception, and marriage equality. We ask community members who care about the right to make their own healthcare decisions, without interference, to urge Congress to act now.