Politico Playbook | Tomorrow marks one year since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade

By Lisa Kashinsky
Story Originally Appeared in Politico Playbook

GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Tomorrow marks one year since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

In that time, Massachusetts has expanded access to abortion, bolstered protections for patients and providers and stood up a legal hotline. The Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts says it has helped “hundreds of patients” navigate logistical and financial barriers to access abortion care, whether they’re in rural parts of this blue state or in red states where reproductive rights are restricted.

And, on the heels of a new lawsuit accusing a so-called crisis pregnancy center in Worcester of deceptive advertising, Reproductive Equity Now is launching a public awareness campaign on abortion access. The group will hold organizing events in Gateway Cities, historically underserved communities and “abortion deserts” — areas of the state without clinics — starting in July.

The abortion-rights fight also continues on Beacon Hill, where lawmakers will hear arguments Monday over legislation that would shield people’s cell phone location data. Reproductive-rights groups are pushing the bill as a way to safeguard abortion-seekers — one of 11 pieces of legislation they’re backing this session. Antiabortion activists are supporting their own slate of bills — though those are far less likely to go anywhere.

Senate President Karen Spilka said in a statement to Playbook that her chamber is “having ongoing discussions about how to best protect our residents, including through potential legislation.”

Meanwhile, at the federal level, Rep. Ayanna Pressley has new legislation to expand abortion access. And House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark will join colleagues at 9:30 a.m. to highlight the party’s efforts to force a vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would codify abortion. Both bills face uphill battles in the Republican-controlled House.