NPR

'Jane Roe' is anonymous no more. The very public fight against abortion bans in 2023

As the first full year since Roe v. Wade was overturned closes, the abortion landscape in the U.S. has changed legally, politically and medically.
Elizabeth Weller speaks at a press conference in Austin, Texas on July 19. She's one of 20 women suing the state after being denied abortions despite serious pregnancy complications.

As 2023 comes to a close, so too does the first full year of the post-Roe era in America. Some of the year's developments were expected, like more conservative states enacting abortion restrictions. Others were surprising, like the fact that there were more abortions nationally in the year after the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health decision than the previous one.

In the final weeks of the year, the country followed the story of Kate Cox, a 31-year-old mother of two in Texas, as she sought to end a tragic pregnancy to ensure she could have a future one.

Here is the state of play when it comes to abortion heading into 2024.

From Jane Roe to Kate Cox

Jane Roe and Kate Cox were both pregnant women in Texas who asked the courts to allow them to

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR2 min readAmerican Government
Barron Trump Will Serve As A Florida Delegate At The GOP Convention
Barron Trump, who turned 18 in March, has largely been kept out of the spotlight — until now. His name appears on a list of delegates for Florida at the Republican National Convention in July.
NPR3 min readCrime & Violence
Adult Film Star Stormy Daniels Grilled By Trump Lawyer In Hush Money Trial
Today is the second day of testimony for adult film star Stormy Daniels. On Tuesday she testified to a nondisclosure agreement and settlement deal with former President Donald Trump.
NPR4 min read
Senate Passes FAA Reauthorization Bill, Sending Legislation To The House
The Senate passed a bill designed to improve safety and customer service for air travelers, a day before the law governing the Federal Aviation Administration expires.

Related Books & Audiobooks