Decision will prevent other states from undermining women’s right to make health decisions
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) applauds the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on June 27 to strike down Texas’ stringent laws concerning abortion clinics.
The importance of the Supreme Court’s 5-3 ruling in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt should not be understated. The high court’s action conforms with and affirms prior decisions that guarantee women’s rights to control their reproductive choices.
Legal scholars also said the Supreme Court ruling sends a strong message to other states that have restrictive abortion laws similar to the ones Texas attempted to impose. The ruling will prevent efforts by some legislators to use medically unnecessary regulations to undermine a woman’s right to make her own health decisions.
NASW and its 130,000 members have long advocated for a woman’s right to choose when it comes to reproductive health matters. The association remains at the forefront in the ongoing battle to ensure that such rights are supported by our federal judiciary all the way up to the Supreme Court.
NASW does not assume the Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt decision will end the legal challenges to and passage of “sham” laws restricting access to safe and medically qualified abortion clinics. However, the ruling does give us hope women will get fair treatment in the courts.
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The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 130,000 members. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy.