INDIANAPOLIS— Today, the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and the case’s nearly 50 years of precedent. Indiana is one of the states that will be considering legislation limiting a woman’s right to choose following this ruling. State Senator Jean Breaux (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement: 

“Today’s ruling is a devastating blow to women’s rights in this country. Roe v. Wade has served as a precedent for nearly 50 years, establishing a legal and cultural standard that women have the right to choose. By reversing this precedent, the Supreme Court has given states like Indiana leeway to consider extreme legislation to curtail women’s rights. Let’s be clear, this will not end abortions—it will lead to unsafe abortions, especially for low income women who cannot afford to travel to states where abortion remains legal.”

Breaux continued, “Indiana is not prepared to support Hoosier families if the General Assembly passes legislation to allow the government to force women to give birth. We would be better served by offering a Family Plan for all Hoosiers. This means addressing maternal mortality by requiring private insurance to cover doula services, providing paid parental leave for new parents, improving access to birth control, expanding financial support for families and more comprehensive pregnancy accommodations in the workplace.”

“This is a dark day in our nation’s history, but Indiana doesn’t have to go the way of government forcing women to give birth. As a state, we are at a crossroads. We can go the route of having the government forcing women to carry all pregnancies to term or we can choose a better path and protect a woman’s right to choose, improve maternal health and support Hoosier women and their families.”