OSCEOAL COUNTY, Fla. — The overturning of Roe v. Wade affects women across the nation, but some argue that it will affect low-income and women of color more than those in other demographics.
Andrea Mercado, executive director of Florida Rising, said the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision will hurt those who need the help the most.
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“It’s a decision that will affect people living in poverty the worst, but it’s also true that most of the people who are renting are low-wage workers, farmworkers, service workers, living paycheck to paycheck are disproportionately people of color,” Mercado said.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Black women in the United States accounted for 38% of all abortions performed in 2019, more than any other group.
Read: Planned Parenthood expands abortion access as Florida judge’s decision on 15-week ban looms
Some argue however the numbers are more about class than about race, and that the decision will not be as big of a burden as some think.
Jameson Taylor, senior fellow with the American Family Association, said for many women the reason they choose to have an abortion has more to with not having a support system than with their financial status.
READ: Central Florida reacts to the overturning of Roe v. Wade
“Often, the reasons women choose abortion have more to do with the poverty of relationships than financial poverty,” Taylor said.
READ: Roe v. Wade overturned: What does it mean for Florida?
In the meantime, all eyes will be on Tallahassee Friday as a judge is set to decide whether to block Florida’s law banning abortions after 15 weeks.
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