Obstacle Course: The Everyday Struggle to Get an Abortion in America (Introduction)

Obstacle Course: The Everyday Struggle to Get an Abortion in America (California Press 2020)

31 Pages Posted: 13 Jan 2020 Last revised: 17 Jan 2020

See all articles by David S. Cohen

David S. Cohen

Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law

Carole Joffe

University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) - Bixby Center for Reproductive Health

Date Written: February 1, 2020

Abstract

It seems unthinkable that citizens of one of the most powerful nations in the world must risk their lives and livelihoods in the search for access to necessary health care. And yet it is no surprise that in many places throughout the United States, getting an abortion can be a monumental challenge. Anti-choice politicians and activists have worked tirelessly to impose needless restrictions on this straightforward medical procedure that, at best, delay it and, at worst, create medical risks and deny women their constitutionally protected right to choose.

This forthcoming book tells the story of abortion in America, capturing a disturbing reality of insurmountable barriers people face when trying to exercise their legal rights to medical services. Authors David S. Cohen and Carole Joffe lay bare the often arduous and unnecessarily burdensome process of terminating a pregnancy: the sabotaged decision-making, clinics in remote locations, insurance bans, harassing protesters, forced ultrasounds and dishonest medical information, arbitrary waiting periods, and unjustified procedure limitations.

Based on patients’ stories as well as interviews with abortion providers and allies from every state in the country, Obstacle Course reveals the unstoppable determination required of women in the pursuit of reproductive autonomy as well as the incredible commitment of abortion providers. Without the efforts of an unheralded army of medical professionals, clinic administrators, counselors, activists, and volunteers, what is a legal right would be meaningless for the almost one million people per year who get abortions. There is a better way—treating abortion like any other form of health care—but the United States is a long way from that ideal.

Keywords: abortion, reproductive rights, reproductive justice, Roe, Casey, Whole Woman's Health

Suggested Citation

Cohen, David S. and Joffe, Carole, Obstacle Course: The Everyday Struggle to Get an Abortion in America (Introduction) (February 1, 2020). Obstacle Course: The Everyday Struggle to Get an Abortion in America (California Press 2020), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3507699

David S. Cohen (Contact Author)

Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law ( email )

3320 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-571-4714 (Phone)

Carole Joffe

University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) - Bixby Center for Reproductive Health ( email )

Third Avenue and Parnassus
San Francisco, CA 94143
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
264
Abstract Views
1,254
Rank
210,868
PlumX Metrics