Women's Center In Cherry Hill Reacts To Possible Overturn Of Abortion

CHERRY HILL, NJ — There has been an uptick in concern among employees and patients of the Cherry Hill Women's Center and similar locations since the leak of the U.S. Supreme Court's draft opinion regarding a landmark abortion case, an employee of the center tells Patch.

"The Women’s Centers are fielding a high volume of calls from individuals who are fearful that abortion is illegal," Roxanne Sutocky, the Women's Centers director of community engagement, said in an interview. "It is important to elevate that the leaked draft decision is only a draft and no decision has been made."

Still, she worries about the impact on some women if the final Supreme Court opinion on the case aligns exactly with the draft opinion and overturns abortion rights as protected by the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling.

"Restrictions on abortion care have far-reaching consequences, both deepening existing inequities and worsening health outcomes for pregnant people and people giving birth," Sutocky said.

In addition, while laws such as New Jersey's Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act — which Gov. Phil Murphy said Tuesday will allow a woman to receive an abortion in New Jersey regardless of the U.S. Supreme Court's final decision — are certainly welcomed, it has spurred some confusion among some patients, according to Sutocky.

"Even before the Supreme Court does anything, the landscape of abortion regulation, and legislation is varies greatly state to state," she said.

"So right now, we're being really clear in our affirmation that abortion is legal in all 50 states. We are [also] grateful to states like New Jersey who not only have taken steps to affirm the right to abortion, but also have been taking steps to make sure that abortion care is also accessible by expanding the number of providers that can provide care," Sutocky said.

She added that the Women's Center "is working closely with our team and our community to ensure safety despite increasingly hostility from abortion opponents."

Got a news tip? Story idea? Email janel.miller@patch.com. Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.