Podcast Summary: "Looking At Reproductive Rights In 2024" – The NPR Politics Podcast

Release Date: December 17, 2024
Host: Sarah McCammon
Contributors: Mara Liasson, Senior National Political Correspondent; Alyssa Nadworny, Reproductive Rights Correspondent

Introduction

In the December 17, 2024 episode of The NPR Politics Podcast, host Sarah McCammon engages in an in-depth discussion on the state of reproductive rights in the United States amidst the 2024 election cycle. Joining her are Mara Liasson and Alyssa Nadworny, who provide expert insights into the evolving political landscape surrounding abortion rights, the implications of President-elect Donald Trump's stance, and the outcomes of recent state-level ballot measures.

President-Elect Donald Trump's Stance on Abortion

The episode opens with an exploration of President-elect Donald Trump's ambiguous positioning on abortion rights. Sarah McCammon prompts Alyssa Nadworny to clarify Trump's mixed messages:

“Trump has actually accomplished that by, as you said, boasting about appointing the conservative Supreme Court justices that overturned Roe. But he's also spent the entire campaign saying it's now up to the states. He wouldn't sign a national abortion ban and you don't have anything to worry about” ([01:58]).

Alyssa highlights that while Trump's Cabinet nominations, such as Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., show support for abortion rights, the overarching policy direction may predominantly reflect Trump's personal stance. Mara Liasson adds:

“Trump controls the Republican Party lock, stock and barrel... I can't imagine that some kind of a federal law or regulation that would in effect ban abortion will be able to happen during the Trump administration” ([07:18]).

Rising Abortion Rates Post-Dobbs Decision

Contrary to expectations that the overturning of Roe v. Wade would decrease the number of abortions, Alyssa reveals an increase in abortion rates since the Dobbs decision, attributing this rise primarily to advancements in telehealth:

“Since Dobbs, the number of abortions has grown and that's mostly due to the rise of telehealth” ([03:09]).

She further explains that the expansion of telehealth services during the pandemic has facilitated easier access to abortion medication, contributing significantly to the uptick.

State Ballot Measures: Successes and Failures

The discussion transitions to the outcomes of various state ballot measures concerning abortion rights in the 2024 elections. Alyssa provides a breakdown:

“Most states that considered abortion rights amendments approved them, seven either expanded or cemented abortion access into their state constitutions. It failed in three places... Florida, South Dakota, and Nebraska” ([10:15]).

• Florida: The amendment narrowly failed, achieving 57% approval against the required 60% threshold.
• South Dakota: A proposed amendment to allow first-trimester abortions did not pass.
• Nebraska: Confusion arose from competing initiatives, resulting in the rejection of an amendment protecting abortion up to viability while another attempting to prohibit abortion after the first trimester was approved.

Voter Behavior and Compartmentalization

A salient point of analysis is the apparent disconnect between voters' support for abortion rights measures and their presidential vote for Trump. Mara Liasson articulates this phenomenon:

“Voters, including many suburban women, could have it both ways. They could vote for him, and they could vote for abortion rights” ([12:25]).

This compartmentalization indicates that voters may prioritize certain issues independently, rather than aligning their choices across different political dimensions.

Future Legislative Actions and State-Level Developments

Looking ahead, the podcast examines potential legislative moves and state-level initiatives that could further shape the landscape of reproductive rights:

1. Missouri’s Constitutional Amendment: Alyssa notes the state's recent approval of an amendment expanding abortion access is being challenged by existing restrictive laws, leading to proposed votes to overturn the amendment ([14:00]).

2. Travel Restrictions: States like Idaho and Tennessee have enacted laws preventing minors from traveling across state lines for abortion services, which Alyssa identifies as a critical area to monitor ([14:30]).

3. Personhood Movement in Alabama: A judge’s ruling classifying embryos as persons has wrought significant turmoil in reproductive technologies, such as IVF, eliciting substantial backlash ([14:50]).

Patchwork of Abortion Access in America

Concluding the episode, Mara Liasson and Alyssa Nadworny emphasize the fragmented nature of abortion access across the United States:

“That's what abortion access is like in America right now. It's a patchwork. One state is near total ban. 15 minutes across the state border has access up to 24 weeks” ([15:15]).

This disparity underscores the ongoing battle over reproductive rights, with significant variation in access depending on geographic location.

Conclusion

The episode of The NPR Politics Podcast provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state and future trajectory of reproductive rights in the U.S. It highlights the complexities introduced by political maneuvers at both the federal and state levels, voter behavior nuances, and the pivotal role of telehealth in shaping abortion access. As the nation moves into 2025, the interplay between political strategies, legislative actions, and public sentiment will continue to define the landscape of reproductive rights.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Alyssa Nadworny on Trump’s mixed messages:

  “Trump has actually accomplished that by, as you said, boasting about appointing the conservative Supreme Court justices that overturned Roe...” ([01:58]).

• Mara Liasson on the improbability of a federal abortion ban under Trump:

  “I can't imagine that some kind of a federal law or regulation that would in effect ban abortion will be able to happen during the Trump administration” ([07:18]).

• Alyssa Nadworny on the rise of telehealth affecting abortion rates:

  “Since Dobbs, the number of abortions has grown and that's mostly due to the rise of telehealth” ([03:09]).

• Mara Liasson on voter compartmentalization:

  “Voters, including many suburban women, could have it both ways. They could vote for him, and they could vote for abortion rights” ([12:25]).

• Alyssa Nadworny on Missouri's legislative challenges:

  “They actually haven't been able to even implement that amendment in the sense that abortions aren't really happening in the state until a judge says, hey, you can't enforce those laws currently on the books” ([14:00]).

• Mara Liasson on the patchwork of abortion access:

  “That's what abortion access is like in America right now. It's a patchwork...” ([15:15]).

This summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights presented in the episode, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of reproductive rights' current state and future prospects in the United States.