By Shaniah Taylor

While the overturning of Roe v. Wade may seem to be in the distant past, its consequences continue to change lives in states where abortion access is now restricted or banned. This February, advocates at the Center for Reproductive Rights and others online have brought renewed attention to the death of Officer Ciji Graham in Greensboro, North Carolina, on November 19, 2023. Her death is one of many caused by the 2022 decision, but highlighting her loss may bring to light the hard realities this administration wants us to ignore. 

Graham sought help from two cardiologists early in her pregnancy for an irregular heartbeat, a common issue for her as she suffered from atrial fibrillation. Where she would usually be able to receive care in the form of cardioversion, she was told by both doctors that she would be unable to receive that treatment while pregnant. Afterwards, many medical professionals have said that cardioversion is safe to do during pregnancy, and that they would have admitted her immediately. Unfortunately, she was one of many women who have been left to navigate pregnancy with a chronic condition in a country that has limited the healthcare available to them. ProPublica has reported that medical professionals in states where abortion has been banned are likely to deny standard care for those in high-risk pregnancies.  

Even though Graham knew that ending the pregnancy was necessary to save her own life, North Carolina’s abortion restrictions stopped her from being able to get the care she needed. Her search for a doctor that would treat her persisted until the day she died. 

This story is deeply upsetting, but you may be asking: why is it important? Why does one death matter so much in the grand scheme of things? The tragic answer is that this is no isolated event. Every day brings a new headline about a woman denied the care she needed, leading to her entirely preventable death. Amber Thurman, Candi Miller, Tierra Walker, Josseli Barnica, Naveah Crain, Porsha Ngumezi, Ciji Graham–these are not just names, they are a pattern. 

In response to these stories shared online, thousands of comments diminish these women’s experiences to one-in-a-million tragedies. They say that these women are exceptions to the overall good of a nationwide abortion ban, they claim abortion access should not be restored just because of “a few deaths.” Countering this, some advocates appeal to those that are pro-life by arguing that there be exceptions to the bans. Even in political campaigns, politicians say abortions should be allowed for those victim to rape or incest, that women who need a dilation and curettage or D&C for a miscarriage or the removal of a tumor should not be affected by abortion bans. 

Why is this argument needed? The data is very clear: since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which allowed states to decide the fate of women’s healthcare, the number of preventable deaths has increased. Whether a woman needs an abortion to save her life or a non-pregnant person needs a D&C for their health, whether someone seeks out an abortion for necessity or personal choice–the result is the same: women are being denied access to healthcare. 

Why do some that call themselves “pro-life” prioritize the potential life of an unborn fetus over the unequivocal, already present, life of a woman who carries it? A woman who can voice her own thoughts, feel pain and share her experiences. A woman who is already here.  

Giving the government power to determine healthcare eligibility–whether that be women, transgender people and/or immigrants will inevitably lead to greater harm. The primary election rapidly approaching is a big part in changing these policies that affect our everyday lives. If you can do so, please make sure you are registered to vote by February 6. You can then vote in the 2026 primary during the early voting period (starting February 12), by absentee ballot (request by February 17) or at your polling place on election day February 28.