A lawsuit recently filed by abortion rights advocates claims that there is language in Mississippi's state constitution protecting the right to an abortion, which could block the 2007 trigger law from going into effect. The Center for Reproductive Rights and Mississippi Center for Justice filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Jackson Women's Health Organization. Nancy Northup, President and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, says similar lawsuits are being filed in other states to protect abortion access.
“We’ve already seen success in some states, with temporary blocks in the laws. Providers have been allowed to resume care in Louisiana, Texas, Utah and Kentucky. Every additional day and every additional hour that we can block a ban is making a huge difference for the patients in the waiting room.”
Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch says she is hopeful the courts will hear the case quickly and says if it grants a stay the trigger law will be delayed.
Although advocates are attempting to block anti-abortion legislation in dozens of states, they say action will need to be taken at the national level. Northup says without national policy in place, states will continue to pass increasingly restrictive laws against abortion.
“Ultimately, there’s going to need to be a national solution. Because you need to have the same access to care across the nation, and there are going to be some states where that’s just not going to be possible. And so we are all continuing to push in the congress for that.”
Currently, abortions are still legal in Mississippi up until the 15th week of gestation.
