What Now? 72 Hours Later

The Big Story:?13 healthcare responses to Roe v. Wade reversal

“We expect that today’s decision will have practical impacts on hospitals and health systems, including on health care provided across state lines, EMTALA obligations, maternal health care, the clinician-patient relationship, medical education and access to care for individuals regardless of socioeconomic status.”

-?The American Hospital Association

?"Like other healthcare systems, we are carefully reviewing the recent Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade and working to understand the full impact it will have on our patients and healthcare providers."

-?Cleveland Clinic?(reflecting the initial position of many organizations)

Our Take

Three days later, this is what we can say for sure: The impact of Friday’s Supreme Court Roe v. Wade reversal is far-reaching and the aftershocks will be long-lasting. It will take time to understand it fully, as states, businesses and others are moving quickly in response. And patience for answers is thin.

?For healthcare leaders, there are (at least) three questions to address now with the people who matter most to you:

• What are we doing now?
• What is our intent?
• What are we doing next?

For the first and second questions, see the?guidance?we published on Friday. Healthcare leaders must speak up. There are (too) many hot button cultural issues today, some of which healthcare leaders may have strong opinions on but little standing. But the redefining of women’s health services, is not one of them. It is squarely in healthcare's lane.?It is where the voice of healthcare leaders is uniquely trusted, needed, expected. Not addressing it – the choice of silence – is a powerful message, too. Choose words. Beyond that, our advice includes:

1. Align your team.
2. Know your record on abortion services.
3. Equip leaders.
4. Check in with employees.
5. Support your clinicians.
6. Check back with your GR team.
7. Anticipate “what now” questions.

To help you start processing the third question above,?we’ve pulled together some of the best “what happens now” stories. More to come, but these will give you an outline of the new world order to overlay on your organization and your community.

What it Could Mean for Physicians

• Fortune:?OB/GYNs are rethinking their careers after Roe v. Wade decision, signaling that the doctor shortage may get even worse
• NPR:?For doctors, abortion restrictions create an 'impossible choice' when providing care

What it Could Mean for Healthcare Access and Equity

• The Chartis Group:?Implications of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs Decision for Healthcare Organizations
• Lown Institute:?Implications for racial inequities in maternal health if Roe v Wade is lost???

What it Could Mean for Employers

• CNBC:?Roe v. Wade’s demise forces companies to grapple with health care plans, employee privacy and more

What it Could Mean for People...And Society

• The New York Times:?Americans face a new abortion landscape in the wake of Roe decision.???

What it Could Mean for the Future Beyond Healthcare

• FiveThirtyEight:?The Supreme Court’s Argument For Overturning Roe v. Wade

How We Got Here

• FiveThirtyEight:?Roe v. Wade Defined An Era. The Supreme Court Just Started A New One.