In light of the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is deeply concerned about the impact this decision will have on the public’s health, health equity, and safe nursing practice. Today’s decision imposes significant challenges to delivering safe, equitable, and evidence-based health care and threatens the public’s trust in the legitimacy of the court. The decision will not prevent abortions, but rather complicates access to health care and interferes with decisions that should occur between a provider and patient.

AACN joins with our colleagues across the health professions who are concerned that this action will put the health and safety of women at risk while disproportionally impacting women of color and the financially disadvantaged. We condemn any attempt to criminalize safe nursing practice that may result from this Supreme Court decision. As we work to understand the full impact of this decision, AACN will continue to advocate for sound policies that protect women from harm and ensure access to essential nursing care.