The only abortion clinic in Mississippi is preparing to close it's doors following a landmark decision from the Supreme Court which overturns Roe v. Wade.
The decision released Friday morning follows months of speculation and a leaked court opinion. Supreme Court justices issued a majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito that called Roe "egregiously wrong from the start" and held "its reasoning was exceptionally weak" with "damaging consequences".
Following the release of the opinion, anti-abortion rights activists returned to the street outside of the Jackson Women's Health Organization to protest. They held signs with graphic images of fetuses, attempted to block cars entering the clinic parking lot, and stood on ladders to harass patients walking into the facility. Meanwhile, volunteers with the Pink House Defenders hurried to help ensure the roads were clear for patients and held signs that the clinic was still open.
Dianne Derzis, owner of the Jackson Women's Health Organization, says the clinic will remain open until the state orders them to shut down. This could be within the next 10 days depending on when the state attorney general certifies a 2007 trigger law that bans all abortions in the state with the only exception being rape and life endangerment of the pregnant person.
"It has begun," Derzis defiantly stated, flanked by Defenders, during a press conference outside the clinic.
Until the clinic ceases operation, Derzis says they will continue to offer abortion services, as well as tend to the other health needs for which many people use the clinic. After it closes, the clinic will be relocated to New Mexico. And advocates for abortion rights say they will begin to invest in ways to help Mississippians get out of state abortion care.
The 2007 law that will be on the books following the certification period allows for exceptions. But, according to Vara Lyons, Policy Council for the ACLU of Mississippi, even those present challenges. Lyons says "health of the mother" exceptions are not clearly defined, and could disproportionately affect the under-served if they cannot seek a second opinion.
Lyons believes the rape exception is problematic for victims of rape because it requires a police report. Lyons says victims of sexual assault are often hesitant to report their abuse.
Speaker of the House Phillip Gunn says the Supreme Court decision will make Mississippi a safer place for babies, and has proposed a new coalition to promote policy that improves the health and wellness of babies and mothers. Mississippi trails much of the nation in pregnancy-related health metrics, including high maternal and infant mortality rates. Earlier this year, Gunn blocked an effort to extend post-partum Medicaid coverage.
In a statement, Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann says he will continue to push for post-partum Medicaid extensions in the coming years. But Gunn says he has not received any notice from the Department of Medicaid that postpartum coverage needs to be expanded, and will continue to oppose the policy.