Yesterday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning Roe v. Wade, is one that causes grave concern. National access to safe and legal abortions, a protected right for nearly 50 years, is gone. States have the green light to decide whether legal abortions will occur within their jurisdiction. Several states have “trigger laws” in place–laws that outlaw legal abortion access upon Roe’s overturning, and often impose civil or criminal penalties upon anyone attempting to provide these services. Even in states that currently retain legal abortion access, such as here in Minnesota, bills are being introduced to undermine that right. Minnesota has recognized abortion as a fundamental right since the 1995 case, Doe v. Gomez. This opinion certainly strikes a chord in the minds of legal scholars across the political spectrum. What is certain is that this opinion will destabilize the law in ways that are yet to be imagined. Legal issues from Dobbs will take significant time to resolve.

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