What impact did the Dobbs v. Jackson ruling have on abortion policy?
The United States Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson had a profound impact on abortion policy in the U.S., varying widely from state to state.
In some states, pre-Roe abortion restrictions were still on the books, and could once again be enforced after Dobbs overturned Roe — though these laws were challenged in state courts by abortion advocates. In other states, “trigger laws” had been enacted before Dobbs to ban or limit abortion, should Roe ever be overturned. These measures have likewise been challenged in the courts.
In yet other states, various abortion limits have been established since Dobbs returned the abortion issue to the people and their elected representatives — once again with legal challenges.
At the other end of the spectrum, some states have responded to the Dobbs ruling by expanding their permissive abortion laws, removing limits like parental involvement measures, increasing taxpayer funding of abortion, and more.
Meanwhile, ballot initiatives in several states have either overturned abortion restrictions or blocked the legislature from enacting them.
See also What legal restrictions on abortion have states enacted? and Do any state restrictions actually reduce abortion?
