What A Supreme Court Rejection Of Roe V. Wade Would Mean For Oklahoma

Saturday marked the 49th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling on abortion rights.

On its anniversary, Roe is back in the Supreme Court facing its most significant challenge in decades.

Interim President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Emily Wales says there's a serious possibility Roe v. Wade could be overturned or altered as early as this summer.

“We are currently facing one of the most serious threats to Roe that we’ve seen in decades," she said.

“Right now across the country, it’s estimated that 26 states would have either an immediate loss of access to abortion care or they would be thrown into litigation.”

More than a dozen states, Oklahoma included, have what are called 'trigger laws' - meaning a law that's already been passed that would immediately ban abortion on a state level the moment Roe is overturned.

Last year, Governor Stitt signed into law Senate Bill 918 which would do exactly that.

The law was introduced by Republican Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat who said when it passed, "The measures passed by the Senate today are practical steps that will help save lives. I appreciate my Senate colleagues for their votes to protect life."

Wales says the law would immediately be questioned in court.

“I think in Oklahoma what we would see is immediate challenges," she said.

While it's being debated - she says women would have to travel outside state lines for an abortion in a state where it's legal.

“If we lose access especially in something like 20-some-odd states, we will see a significant rise in care in the states that continue to protect access," she said.

The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling on Roe by July.