Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Without Ginsburg, Supreme Court Likely To Reshape Abortion Rights
Republicans鈥 vows to quickly fill the vacancy left by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg鈥檚 death will dramatically accelerate the push to restrict abortion access, no matter what happens to Roe v. Wade.T here鈥檚 no guarantee that even an expanded conservative majority at the Supreme Court would target the landmark decision that legalized abortion nationwide nearly 50 years ago, given some justices鈥 anxiety about overturning precedent. But even without touching Roe, the Court could greenlight many narrower restrictions that would effectively eliminate access to the procedure for much of the country. (Ollstein, 9/19)
[Ruth Bader] Ginsburg's death sets up a divisive nomination fight in the midst of a presidential campaign. And advocates on opposing sides of the issue agree that it could be a turning point in the long-running debate over one of the most divisive issues for the court: abortion rights. (McCammon, 9/19)
In a political year dominated by a deadly pandemic and a fight for racial equality, the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg may rocket the abortion question back to the center of American consciousness, with the future of that constitutional right hanging in the balance in the selection of her successor. 鈥淚 think there is hope,鈥 Alexandra Snyder, executive director of Life Legal Defense Foundation, an anti-abortion law firm based in Napa, said Saturday. (Asimov, 9/20)
In related news 鈥
Planned Parenthood sounded the alarm Friday night after the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, noting that abortion rights could be decided on the high court based on her replacement. 鈥淭onight we honor that legacy, but tomorrow, we鈥檙e going to need to get to work to preserve the ideals she spent her life鈥檚 work defending. Because this is not an understatement: The fate of our rights, our freedoms, our health care, our bodies, our lives, and our country depend on what happens over the coming months,鈥 Planned Parenthood President Alexis McGill Johnson said in a statement. (Axelrod, 9/18)
As condolences for Ruth Bader Ginsburg's family and fond memories of her life poured in from Democrats and Republicans alike, GOP Rep. Doug Collins' voice was missing from those honoring her. Instead, Collins received backlash for his tweet Friday night focusing on Ginsburg's position on abortion rights. "RIP to the more than 30 million innocent babies that have been murdered during the decades that Ruth Bader Ginsburg defended pro-abortion laws," Collins tweeted.聽"With @realDonaldTrump nominating a replacement that values human life, generations of unborn children have a chance to live." (Santucci, 9/19)
Few Supreme Court Justices have left a legacy as ideologically coherent as Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The second of only four female justices to be sworn in, Ginsburg was always an ardent defender of women's rights and gender equality. ... Ginsburg's powerful voice influenced her colleagues and colored court opinions on a number of issues. Her work has been a driving force in advocating for reproductive rights, gender equality, and fourth amendment rights. (Crowley, 9/18)