Does the Overturning of Roe v. Wade Affect MN?

July 19, 2022

Roe v. Wade was a historic Supreme Court decision in 1973 that claimed a woman’s right to an abortion was federally protected under the U.S. Constitution.

But in June 2022, this decision was overturned, returning the ability to legislate abortion back to the states. What does this mean for the state of Minnesota? Read this article to understand what is currently legal.

Does Minnesota Currently Grant Abortion Access? 

A woman’s ability to choose an abortion is protected by the state constitution up to the point of viability, which is 20 weeks. After that, it’s only allowed if the mother’s life is in danger. If you’re a minor, your parents must be notified that you are seeking an abortion procedure.

A medication abortion prescribed by a telehealth appointment is also permitted in Minnesota, although this does often skip the important health screening of an ultrasound.

How Does This Affect Women’s Healthcare?

This does not prevent doctors from treating women with high-risk pregnancies, stillbirths, miscarriages, or any other health issues that can affect or be caused by pregnancy or birth. The news is confusing right now, but these essential healthcare services are not going away because of the Supreme Court ruling.

Next Steps

If you are currently pregnant, a practical first step is to first seek an ultrasound. An ultrasound can give you a digital image of the pregnancy and confirm it is located inside the uterus (thus eliminating the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy). 

It also confirms the age of the pregnancy, which is critical to know so you can determine what your options are and what next steps to choose.

Our clinic offers free ultrasounds and consultations for you to ask questions and learn about local resources and options for women facing an unplanned pregnancy. Contact us today!