The Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization 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 makes performing an abortion a felony—even in the case of rape, incest, and/or health risks to the pregnant person.
The Wisconsin Attorney General has filed a lawsuit asking the court to rule whether the 1849 law is enforceable. In the meantime, Wisconsin’s abortion clinics no longer provide abortion services. Some clinics 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: Recent changes in medication abortion access
CORE Brief: Self-managed abortion
CORE Brief: Changes to abortion access in Wisconsin post-Roe
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.