A year without abortion in Arkansas: more sterilizations and continued struggles in maternal health

KUAR | By Tess Vrbin / Arkansas Advocate, Antoinette Grajeda / Arkansas Advocate

A year after abortion effectively ended in Arkansas, more Arkansans than ever are seeking permanent sterilization, and abortion access groups have seen their costs increase.

A renewed focus to implement policies experts say would improve maternal health saw mixed results, and Arkansas’ maternal mortality rate continues to be among the worst in the U.S.

Arkansas was one of several states with a “trigger law” that banned abortion in June 2022 almost immediately following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that overturned Roe v. Wade.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-06-26/a-year-without-abortion-in-arkansas-more-sterilizations-and-continued-struggles-in-maternal-health

John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate

Arkansas Pregnancy Resource Center’s office in west Little Rock provides testing and other services for pregnant people. It was one of nearly two dozen facilities that received state funds in 2022 and 2023 directed at entities that help those experiencing an unintended pregnancy give birth.

Rutledge ends abortion in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK – In a historic moment, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge certified that the United States Supreme Court has overruled Roe v. Wade. Attorney General Rutledge’s certification puts an end to the tragedy of abortion in Arkansas. The only exception under Arkansas law is a procedure to save the life of the mother. 

In accordance with Act 180 of 2019, Attorney General Rutledge reviewed the Supreme Court’s opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and determined that it overrules the central holding of Roe v. Wade. Consistent with today’s opinion, Attorney General Rutledge’s certification reaffirms the state’s authority to protect unborn life. Through the efforts of the Attorney General in collaboration with the General Assembly, Arkansas has enacted and defended laws that prohibit elective abortion, reaffirming Arkansas’s status as the most prolife state in the nation.

“Today the prolife movement is victorious,” said Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “I have a long history of fighting for the unborn, and it is my greatest honor to officially end abortion in Arkansas. Roe was wrong on the day it was decided, and today, we can protect every innocent life in Arkansas.”

The official certification states, “Pursuant to Act 180 of 2019, I hereby certify that the United States Supreme Court has overruled ‘the central holding of Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), reaffirmed by Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 (1992).’ Therefore, effective immediately, any person who ‘purposely perform[s] or attempt[s] to perform an abortion except to save the life of a pregnant woman in a medical emergency’ will be guilty of ‘an unclassified felony with a fine not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) or imprisonment not to exceed ten (10) years, or both.’ Ark. Code Ann. 5-61-304(a)-(b).”

The U.S. Supreme Court’s opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization can be read here.

Almost all abortions illegal in Arkansas after AG Rutledge certifies law

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

With a stroke of a pen, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge on Friday (June 24) certified that almost all abortions are now illegal in Arkansas. Her action followed the U.S. Supreme Court opinion published earlier in the day that ended the constitutional protection to abortion.

Rutledge certified that the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization triggered Act 180 of 2019. That law states that most abortions become illegal in Arkansas if Roe v. Wade were overturned.

The law states that abortions are legal only “to save the life of a pregnant woman in a medical emergency.” It also excludes ectopic pregnancies, where the fertilized egg implants somewhere other than in the uterus.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/06/almost-all-abortions-illegal-in-arkansas-after-ag-rutledge-certifies-law/

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge