Congresswoman’s delay in receiving ectopic pregnancy care renews debate about abortion laws
Social media users also discussed the changing legal landscape around abortion in the U.S. four years after Roe was overturned.
Social media users also discussed the changing legal landscape around abortion in the U.S. four years after Roe was overturned.
After a Florida representative said she experienced a delay in receiving care for an ectopic pregnancy, social media users discussed how abortion bans impact maternal health. Meanwhile, the four-year anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade fueled more conversation about abortion, and the Texas Republican Party’s new platform opposing in vitro fertilization stirred debate about the practice.
In response, communicators may recirculate information about abortion laws and IVF.
What’s trending nationally in conversations about reproductive health
On a June 21 podcast episode of the Tara Palmeri Show, Florida Representative Kat Cammack said she experienced a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy in 2024 and faced a delay in care due to confusion about her state’s abortion ban. When the podcast aired, Palmeri shared a video clip from the episode on X, receiving approximately 5.4 million views as of July 7. Commenters on that post and across platforms expressed alarm about how abortion bans delay lifesaving care for pregnancy complications. Some also debated whether Cammack’s delay in care resulted from a provider misunderstanding the law, as Cammack said, or from general legal uncertainty surrounding abortion restrictions.
June 24 marked the four-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, which overturned Roe. Government officials, organizations, and individuals highlighted the anniversary online and discussed how abortion access in the U.S. has changed since 2022. Many posts shared experiences of having abortions before and after the Dobbs decision and called on others to reduce abortion stigma and advocate for abortion access.
At a June convention, the Texas Republican Party adopted a new platform opposing IVF, which may involve freezing and discarding embryos, calling on lawmakers to “affirm the sanctity of life.” While the party’s platform does not change Texas law, reproductive health advocates online suggested that the sentiment could lead to laws restricting or prohibiting IVF. Commenters discussed how IVF helped them get pregnant, asked about cost, and debated whether embryos used in IVF should have the same legal protections as people.
Recommendations for public health professionals
The Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about reproductive health.
Cammack’s experience illustrates how abortion bans have been associated with delays in lifesaving care for pregnancy complications, including ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage, even in states that have exceptions in cases when the health or life of the pregnant person is in danger. Communicators may explain that while some states’ abortion bans specify that treatment for an ectopic pregnancy is not legally considered an abortion, others do not, which may cause confusion. Messaging may refer people to the Repro Legal Helpline, a free service that connects individuals with lawyers who can answer questions about miscarriage, abortion, and pregnancy.
The anniversary of the Dobbs decision—and ensuing conversation—provides an opportunity to recirculate additional abortion resources, including AbortionFinder.org, which provides information on verified abortion providers, and Plan C, which offers information on accessing abortion pills by mail. Ensuring that all materials outlining local abortion laws are up to date is recommended.
Questions about the IVF process and cost can guide future content. Communicators may explain the steps of the procedure and highlight that IVF is covered by some insurance plans, with some states mandating IVF coverage. Communicators may also want to direct people to grants that help cover IVF costs.
Insights reported by Public Good News, with communication guidance from the experts behind Infodemiology.com.