Medical Autonomy

Our Human Rights set the foundation for some of our most fundamental American principles. These rights allow/ ensure people would give people the freedom to live how they choose and by the choices they make. Yet, over the past few years our medical autonomy has come under attack and become an imperative issue for many Americans especially while we await the final decision of Dobbs v. Jackson’s Women’s Health Organization. Laws like the Texas Heartbeat Bill and others have drastically corrupted our medical autonomy making it difficult for people to assert their medical independence. Planned Parenthood alone is one of the most notable providers on sexual and reproductive health providing services to over two million people. Specially to marginalized communities like, LGBTQ community, people of color or those who reside in low-income communities who are uninsured or in economic hardships. Even the idea of bodily autonomy can spark up many misconceptions. Saying that it undermines group decision making, and undermines traditions and religions, or that it is just another woman's issue. When really all we want is the right to make decisions for ourselves and not let the choices be made for them. But the bottom line is that no one has the right to violate these rights; it is a human right, and everyone should have the right to pursue their autonomy how they see fit. Therefore, it is important now more than ever to stay up to date on information and continue to educate and practice bodily autonomy by advocating for ourselves and for others.

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