Earlier this week, a draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization was leaked to the press. This case is about the legality of abortion in the United States.
The draft opinion, if issued, would overturn long-standing Supreme Court decisions like Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which held that abortion is legal because all Americans have a right to privacy about their own health care.
This shocking draft opinion has scared many people who can get pregnant because they are worried about access to critical, and sometimes lifesaving, health care.
However, today, abortion is still legal in the United States. Despite the Court’s document, access to abortion services has not changed in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia.
“I am shocked and appalled at the direction the Supreme Court appears to be moving on the issue of abortion,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole. “Women and people who can get pregnant have a right to autonomy over what happens to their bodies. Now many are facing a future in which their right to control their own healthcare decisions is at risk of being stripped away. While we call on policy makers to protect those rights and to ensure that all women have access to the healthcare services they need, including those to prevent and treat unplanned pregnancies, it is critical that everyone understand that abortion is still safe and legal in Philadelphia.”
Philadelphia has a number of resources available for people who want to prevent unplanned pregnancies or need an abortion or counseling support. Remember, abortion is health care. Access to safe abortion services is a human right. Abortion is legal.
Sites that provide family planning services including safe abortion
- Mazzoni Center
1348 Bainbridge Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 563-0652 - Planned Parenthood – Locust (Elizabeth Blackwell)
1144 Locust St, Lower Level, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 351-5550 - Philadelphia Women’s Center
777 Apple Tree Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 574-3590; 1 (800) 869-2330 - The Peace Center
3737 Market St, 12th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 615-5234 - Planned Parenthood Surgical Far Northeast
2751 Comly Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154
(215) 464-2225 - Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia - Paley Family Planning
5501 Old York Road, Paley 3, Philadelphia, PA 19141
(215) 456-7180 - Jefferson Health Family Planning Services
833 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 298-4378
Abortion Counseling Support
- Access Matter
1700 Market Street, #1540, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 985-3300; (800) 848-3367 - Women’s Law Project
125 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(412) 281-2892 - Abortion Liberation Fund of PA
PO Box 40748, Philadelphia, PA 19109
(215) 584-6622 - The Clara Bell Duvall Reproductive Freedom Project
PO Box 60173, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 592-1513