"Trumpcession" policies and economic downturns are threatening reproductive healthcare access across the U.S. From Medicaid restrictions to Title X cuts, learn how these changes disproportionately impact low-income women and communities of color.

Betty Benjamin was an activist who fought tirelessly for reproductive rights in Minnesota. From founding the Abortion Rights Council of Minnesota to leading grassroots efforts statewide, her work helped shape the movement for safe and legal abortion access. Even after Roe v. Wade, she remained a steadfast advocate, inspiring future generations.

Minnesota has emerged as a stronghold for reproductive rights at a time when federal protections have been rolled back, posing an active threat. After the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson decision overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, many neighboring states enacted abortion bans. However, Minnesota took a different path by enacting robust legal protections, enshrined in both state law and the Minnesota Constitution. This article examines key measures, including the Protect Reproductive Options (PRO) Act, the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act, Executive Order 22-16, and the landmark Doe v. Gomez decision. Together, these safeguards ensure continued access to abortion and reproductive healthcare in Minnesota, reinforcing the state's commitment to bodily autonomy despite federal changes.

Minnesota has long been a critical access point for abortion care, both for state residents and an increasing number of out-of-state patients. While abortion rates declined for decades, the reversal of Roe v. Wade led to a sharp increase in demand, with 14,124 abortions performed in 2023—the highest in over 20 years.