On today’s episode of The Confluence: We speak with a member of the state’s Pro-Life Federation about what the overturning of Roe v. Wade means for the anti-abortion movement in Pennsylvania; we review other rulings made by the U.S. Supreme Court, and their implications; and a look at how the funding for nurse family partnerships, which aid pregnant parents, is at risk.
Today’s guests include: Bonnie Finnerty, education director with the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation; and David Harris, legal analyst for WESA.
Anti-abortion group wants to codify abortion restrictions into state law
(0:00 - 7:44)
Last week, when the U.S. The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, crowds of people took to the streets. Many were protesting this decision, but others came out to celebrate what they saw as the highest court in the land remedying what Justice Samuel Alito said: “was egregiously wrong from the start”.
Abortion providers in western Pennsylvania are now worried about an influx of patients to Pittsburgh because of restrictions and bans on the procedure in nearby states of Ohio and West Virginia. Abortion is legal in Pennsylvania up to 24 weeks from the pregnant person’s last menstrual period. However, members of the state legislature have proposed bills to limit abortion access.
The Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation has supported a constitutional amendment to the state constitution that would clarify that abortion is not a protected right.
“We intend to promote the work of pregnancy resource centers where women can get real support and be offered other choices,” says Bonnie Finnerty, education director for the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation.
Finnerty and the Federation also support the fetal remains bill, which would fine healthcare facilities that do not arrange for the burial or cremation of fetal tissue resulting from abortions and miscarriages. The bill is being considered in the state legislature.
A look at other rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court this session
(7:51 - 15:22)
The U.S. Supreme Court is wrapping up its term where the focus has largely been on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade. The highest court in the nation also ruled on several other cases ranging from gun control to religious rights.
There were two religious freedom cases taken up this term. One ruling decided that a public high school football coach had the right to pray on the field after a game. The majority determined that the prayer was permitted because the coach was not coercing students to join.
The second case ruled that religious schools could not be excluded from public funding. This decision came from a case originating in Maine, where the state will pay for students to attend non-religious private schools where public schools aren’t accessible. With the ruling, the state must now extend that funding to religious schools if students choose to attend them.
“Increasing the presence of religion in public life has been a main project of the conservative majority,” says WESA Legal Analyst and University of Pittsburgh law professor David Harris.
This term, the court took up its first major second amendment case in 14 years. The court struck down a New York state law that required a person to cite a specific reason when applying for an open carry permit.
The court also ruled police officers can not be sued for failing to disclose a person’s Miranda rights.
A program pairing nurses and pregnant people could lose funding
(15:28 - 22:30)
Every year, more than 1,300 pregnant people in Pennsylvania get help through nurse family partnership programs, but advocates say funding to keep them running is now at risk.
WITF’s Brett Sholtis shares the story of one woman who says a nurse saved her life, and now wants to make sure others will get the same help she received.
This story briefly mentions thoughts of suicide.
The Confluence, where the news comes together, is 90.5 WESA’s daily news program. Tune in Monday to Thursday at 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. to hear newsmakers and innovators take an in-depth look at stories important to the Pittsburgh region. Find more episodes of The Confluence here or wherever you get your podcasts.
