New Jersey Assembly Bill AR190

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/18/23
• Passed: 5/25/23

Caption

Urges United States Supreme Court to protect freedom of reproductive choice with respect to use of and access to mifepristone.

Impact

AR190 emphasizes the necessity of resolving conflicting decisions from federal courts that have emerged regarding mifepristone. The drug, which has been deemed safe and effective for terminating pregnancies up to ten weeks and for the treatment of miscarriages, is crucial for reproductive health. The resolution explicitly urges the Supreme Court to respect medical providers' roles and consider public health and individual rights when making determinations that affect access to such essential medications. If mifepristone is restricted or banned, millions of women could lose access to this vital form of health care.

Summary

Assembly Resolution No. 190 (AR190) urges the United States Supreme Court to protect the freedom of reproductive choice regarding the use and access to mifepristone. The resolution highlights the current crisis in reproductive health care due to various judicial rulings that have created significant uncertainty for women seeking reproductive health services. It specifically addresses the implications of the Supreme Court's 2022 ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and led to varying interpretations of reproductive rights at the state level, posing risks to women's access to necessary medical care.

Contention

The resolution underscores a considerable divide in opinions surrounding reproductive rights, with concerns that continued judicial challenges undermine established medical practices and the ability of individuals to make informed health care decisions. The narrative articulated in AR190 is that legislative and judicial actions are cooperating to restrict women's rights, which has profound implications for public health. Critics argue that the resolution's call for protection may face opposition from those who hold contrary views on reproductive rights and the role of government in personal health matters.