The U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling today in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization that reverses two longstanding legal precedents that affirm the constitutional right to an abortion. The decision, which overturns Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, will trigger at least 13 states to automatically issue new restrictions or prohibitions on abortions in the coming days, according to the Guttmacher Institute, with 26 states in total certain or likely to ban abortions without the protections outlined in Roe.
In response to the news of the decision, leaders from Johns Hopkins University and Medicine released a message affirming the institution's commitment to following evidence-based best practices to the fullest extent of the law. Read the full text of the message below.
Dear Johns Hopkins Community,
As you have seen, the U.S. Supreme Court released its long-anticipated decision in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which signals a profound shift in laws governing access to abortion, with significant and variable ramifications in states across the nation. As a major employer in Maryland with a presence in the National Capital Region and in Florida, and as a leading provider of clinical care, including health and well-being services to our students, we take seriously our obligation to the many populations we serve. We have been monitoring closely the outcome of this decision and its implications for the provision of reproductive health care.
To the fullest extent allowed under the law, our institutions will continue to be guided by the evidence-based best practices established by medical and public health faculty experts and practitioners, which make clear that access to safe, legal abortion is critical for the health of individuals, families, and communities. We will continue to keep all of you informed in the coming days of any further impacts of this change in the legal landscape, but at this time we can offer the following guidance on the implications of the court's decision on Hopkins employees, students, and patients:
- We will continue to offer the same full range of services and support that we do today in accordance with legal requirements for our patients, including for all students who receive health care through university-based health services.
- We are currently reviewing the decision and its impacts on other areas in which we operate. You will hear more from your divisions and our HR Benefits teams regarding any potential changes to benefits for employees who may be in states where access to services is curtailed.
We recognize that members of our community will experience this decision and its impacts in profoundly different ways. As always, we care deeply about the well-being and health of all members of our community. If you require further guidance or have more questions about the decision and its affect on your work, our HR colleagues are standing by at the health system's HR Solution Center (443-997-5400 or hrsc@jhmi.edu) and at JHU Benefits Services (410-516-2000 or benefits@jhu.edu). We also urge any staff and faculty members who would benefit from mental health support to seek the care they need through JHU mySupport and JHM Resources. Students should refer to this list of current services provided by the Office of Student Health and Well-Being, including mental health services.
Sincerely,
Inez Stewart
Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
Johns Hopkins MedicinePierre Joanis
Vice President, Human Resources
Johns Hopkins UniversityKevin Shollenberger
Vice Provost, Student Health and Well-Being
Johns Hopkins University
Posted in University News
