Washington, DC — Today, the Supreme Court announced the 6-3 decision to overturn the Court’s 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade, which established the constitutional right to abortion. The decision — in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s health organization — will likely result in half of the nation’s states banning or severely restricting abortion access. Liz Fairchild, Executive Director of Business Forward, issued the following statement in response:
“Safeguarding women’s access to reproductive health care is central to gender equity and maximum workforce participation. The Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade will fall hardest on women that already face systemic obstacles accessing health care and unlocking economic opportunities.
State-level abortion restrictions cost state economies more than $100 billion per year by reducing labor force participation and earnings levels and increasing turnover and time-off. If existing state-level restrictions were eliminated, estimates show that 500,000 additional women would enter the workforce, earning a collective $3 billion and saving businesses $158 million in turnover costs and $22 million in reduced time-off.
Today’s decision not only puts women’s health at risk, it also impairs states’ ability to attract talent and build vibrant, inclusive, and economically competitive communities.”
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Business Forward helps local business leaders make the “business case” for climate action, affordable healthcare, immigration reform, diversity and inclusion, sensible tax laws, criminal justice reform, infrastructure investment, and other pro-growth reforms. These leaders brief policymakers, work with local media, publish op-eds, submit testimony, advocate online, and organize their communities. We also promote their recommendations through issue briefs, survey reports, training manuals, and podcasts. More than 650 mayors, governors, members of Congress, and senior Administration officials have participated in our briefings.