New JAMA study finds massive cases of rape-related pregnancies in states that banned abortion after Dobbs decision
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper reiterated his call for the passage of abortion care legislation following reports of a new study by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that found more than 64,000 women and girls became pregnant because of rape in states that implemented abortion bans after Roe v. Wade’s overruling, most of which don’t allow exceptions for cases of rape or incest.
“These cases are staggering, sickening. Worse still, the numbers may be higher given unreported rapes,” said Hickenlooper. “Now that Roe has been taken away, we need our Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act to help women fleeing states with draconian bans. Colorado needs to continue protecting a woman’s right to health care by enshrining abortion protections in our state constitution.”
According to JAMA, an estimated 91% of the study’s 64,000 pregnancies occurred in states without rape exceptions in their laws. According to federal data, roughly two out of three sexual assaults are never reported to authorities.
Hickenlooper cosponsors the Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act that would protect doctors in states where abortion is legal–like Colorado– who are treating women from out of state.
Hickenlooper is also a cosponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would codify Roe v. Wade into federal law, as well as the Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act, the MARCH for Servicemembers Act, and the Protecting Access to Medication Abortion Act, three bills that would protect women and servicemembers traveling to receive health care, as well as FDA-approved, over the counter abortion medication.
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