300th Podcast Interview: Merle Hoffman Discusses Her Just-Published, "CHOICES, A Post-Roe Abortion Rights Manifesto"
In Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Supreme Court in June 2022 reversed the court’s previous 1973 Roe v Wade decision, and 20 related cases, wiping out a half century of constitutional protections for women’s reproductive rights. In Dobbs, the court found the Constitution now excludes a woman’s control over her body as well as the possible continuation of her life. Compelled pregnancy, involuntary childbirth and forced parenthood is not, the court ruled, an essential part of the “liberty” protected under the 14th amendment - or presumably even the freedom of “involuntary servitude” protected under the 13th amendment. Dobbs effectively demotes women to the status of an involuntary vessel entitled to no more respect than other forms of collectively-owned property. Since some have termed the Dobbs decision a “break the glass” moment, Ms. Hoffman has published her “post-Roe abortion rights manifesto,” that leverages her five decades of reproductive rights work to shed light on the repercussions of overturning Roe and work she believes now needs to be done, or redone, to ensure the safety and legality of reproductive rights. Ms. Merle Hoffman is an American author, activist, feminist health care innovator who established one the first abortion clinics in the US, CHOICES Women’s Medical Center in Queens, New York. CHOICES also provides prenatal care, all-options counseling, GYN visits, mental health services, and trans health services. Ms. Hoffman was the publisher and editor-in-chief of On the Issues magazine (1983–99) and is also the author of Intimate Wars (Feminist Press, 2012). She is the cofounder of the National Abortion Federation. Information on Ms. Hoffman’s book is at: https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/9781510776951/choices/. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thehealthcarepolicypodcast.com