The Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization has overturned the federal right to abortion established by Roe v. Wade five decades ago. The legality of abortion access is now determined by each state. Here in Wisconsin, a pre-Roe abortion ban from 1849 is on the books, which makes performing an abortion a felony—even in the case of rape, incest, and/or health risks to the pregnant person.
It is likely that Wisconsin courts will hear lawsuits in the coming years to determine whether the 1849 law is enforceable. In the meantime, Wisconsin’s abortion clinics will no longer provide abortion services. Some clinics will offer pre-abortion and post-abortion care.
Learn more about what this means for Wisconsin by reading CORE's briefs, research, and resources linked below.
Learn more about what the overturning of Roe v. Wade means for Wisconsin
Roe v. Wade’s Fall: Consequences for Wisconsin
CORE Brief: Self-Managed Abortion
CORE Brief: The New Texas Abortion Ban and Its Implications for Wisconsin
CORE Fact Sheet: Contraception Is Not Abortion
CORE Brief: Medical Student Education on Abortion: The Current Landscape
Without Roe, options are limited.
CORE’s research brief indicates that in this post-Roe period, Wisconsinites will either:
- Travel out of state to access care in Illinois, Minnesota, or elsewhere
- Self-manage their abortions, many accessing medication abortion pills online through providers such as Aid Access, Just the Pill, or Plan C
- Access abortion care in Wisconsin in cases of medical emergencies
- Carry pregnancies to term despite their intentions
"Abortion care is an essential component of comprehensive reproductive health care. Lack of access to abortion care will have a profound, lasting impact on the health of individuals, families and communities across Wisconsin."
UW–Madison Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Interim Chair Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS
Statements from our department and professional organizations:
- UW-Madison Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology response to Supreme Court decision
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Abortion Is Essential
- Joint statement from Maternal Health Specialists on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
CORE is committed to continuing to work toward our mission.
We conduct and share rigorous, interdisciplinary research to inform policies and programs so that all Wisconsin residents and families may live with reproductive autonomy–able to make decisions about their reproductive health and access needed services without interference or coercion.