Analysis Reveals Dobbs Decision Harm to Latinas

WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 3, 2023 – In advance of this week’s Latina’s Equal Pay Day, the National Partnership for Women & Families and the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice published a new analysis that highlights the economic and health consequences of abortion bans on Latinas, the largest group of women of color living in states that have or are likely to ban abortion. Last year’s Dobbs decision overturned the federal right to abortion provided by Roe v. Wade and undercut health care, economic security and personal autonomy for everyone in the U.S. But the aftermath hit women of color the hardest, including leaving 6.7 million Latinas living in the 26 states that have or are likely to ban abortion care. That number represents 43 percent of all Latinas in the U.S. between the ages of 15-49. Nearly half of Latinas living in these states are already mothers, and more than three million are economically insecure, making it even harder for them to afford care, including the cost of travel or childcare.

The report – covered exclusively by NBC – cites the barriers Latinas face in accessing health care, from low insurance coverage rates to mistrust of medical providers, to discrimination in health care systems, to lack of linguistically and culturally appropriate care.

“The extreme measures that some states are willing to adopt to deny people the fundamental right to control their own bodies are truly disheartening, disgraceful, and disrespectful,“ said Jocelyn Frye, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families. “When we consider how devastating these state bans are to Latinas and other women of color, we are reminded why it is essential to center their voices and priorities in the fight for reproductive freedom.”

“Our worst fears seem to be coming true,” said Shaina Goodman, Director for Reproductive Health and Rights for the National Partnership. “We knew denying abortion care would hurt all communities, but these bans are hurting pregnant people and their families—over the long haul. And they’re hitting hardest those who are already suffering, the communities faced with some of the greatest barriers to accessing health care and a livable wage.”

“Latinas/xs face persistent barriers that rob us of the tools we need to stay healthy, make decisions about whether and when to become parents or expand our family, and raise our families with dignity and safety, ” said Candace Gibson, Director of Government Relations at the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice. “The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has directly and disproportionately harmed Latinas/xs, and this new analysis finds that the impact is even worse than what we’d previously thought. Bans on abortion care harm our communities and families. Everyone should have access to affordable sexual and reproductive healthcare, and no one should be denied care because of their income, age, race, disability, im/migration status, or what state they call home.”

Other findings detailed in the report include:

• Latinas in three states– Florida, Texas and Arizona– account for nearly three-quarters of the Latinas living in the states that have banned or are likely to ban abortions
• Close to half of all Latina veterans are in states that have banned or are likely to ban abortion
• Nearly 43 percent of disabled Latinas live in these states
• More than 1 million Latinas in these states report not speaking English or not speaking it well, a substantial barrier to accessing and receiving culturally competent care

The National Partnership for Women & Families has been a national leader in the fight for reproductive justice, maternal health care, and health equity. Our work is grounded in a commitment to ensuring that everyone has access to abortion care, and to highlighting the impact of reproductive health care on the entire scope of a person and a family’s health and well-being, including economic well-being—especially for those who also are disadvantaged by racism and other structural inequities.

The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice is the only national reproductive justice organization dedicated to building power to advance health, dignity, and justice for Latinas/xs, their families, and communities in the United States. We center and amplify Latina/x voices so we can transform the systems and narratives that influence our ability to reclaim our bodies and our lives. We build our activist base, shape policies, and shift culture to fuel a larger reproductive justice movement. Our goal is simple: help our activists play an active role in creating a country with true reproductive freedom for all.

The full report can be found here.

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