This column has been updated with additional information.

With just four weeks until the presidential election, Donald Trump is trying to make Americans forget that he played a significant role in the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the subsequent healthcare issues it has caused for women.

During last week’s vice presidential debate, the former president posted on social media, claiming that if Congress passed a national abortion ban, he would “VETO IT, BECAUSE IT IS UP TO THE STATES TO DECIDE.”

It doesn’t change the fact that he appointed the Supreme Court justices responsible for the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, a fact he has openly boasted about. He will say whatever it takes to secure your vote. He is deceiving the public. The reality is that many women have faced greater hardships because of his actions.

Currently, one in three women in the U.S. reside in states that impose an abortion ban after just six weeks of pregnancy. This occurs before many individuals even realize they are pregnant and is a stark contrast to the access available under Roe. Because of these six-week bans, some women have even lost their lives, which is completely unacceptable.

Consider the situation in Texas, where a law prohibiting most abortions took effect in 2021. Between 2019 and 2022, maternal mortality rates surged by 56% in Texas, while the national average rose just 11%, according to an analysis by the Gender Equity Policy Institute.

A Preventable Tragedy in Georgia

Georgia too is experiencing challenges. Last week, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney invalidated the state’s six-week ban, arguing it violated women’s rights to liberty.

“Women are not a piece of collectively owned community property, with their fate decided by majority vote,” McBurney wrote.

However, on Monday, the Georgia Supreme Court reinstated the ban temporarily. This highlights the precarious status of abortion rights in certain states and how Trump’s selections for the Supreme Court contributed to this situation.

These judgments followed a ProPublica report detailing the deaths of two women in 2022, stemming from anxiety and confusion linked to Georgia’s abortion restrictions.

Amber Nicole Thurman, aged 28, died from sepsis after a 20-hour delay in medical intervention. Candi Miller, aged 41, avoided seeking medical assistance after complications from a medication abortion and died after suffering for several days.

Sadly, there are women currently facing similar risks that led to these tragedies. After Roe was overturned in 2022, the number of women pursuing abortions without medical assistance nearly doubled last year, and online prescriptions for abortion medications saw a significant increase.

While medication abortions are generally safe, complications could deter women and healthcare providers from taking necessary life-saving actions due to fear of legal repercussions.

Abortion is a key issue in the upcoming election

Abortion continues to be a central topic in this election season, having been a key point in the vice presidential debate between Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Senator JD Vance of Ohio.

During the debate, Walz brought up two women who have been directly affected by the struggle for abortion rights: Amanda Zurawski, who nearly died when refused treatment at a Texas hospital, and Hadley Duvall, who became pregnant at the age of 12 after her stepfather abused her. He also mentioned Amber Thurman.

“There’s a significant possibility that if Amber Thurman had lived in Minnesota, she would still be alive today,” Walz stated.

In response, Vance attempted to moderate his position on abortion, stating the Republican Party needs to “work significantly harder to regain the trust of the American people on this matter.”

However, he masked his previous support for a 15-week ban by labeling it a “minimum national standard.” Don’t be misled: that is still an abortion prohibition.

How can the party that supported stripping away these rights anticipate regaining the trust of those who have lost them? They cannot.

Melania Trump Allegedly Backs Abortion Rights

Recently, Melania Trump has emerged as an unexpected advocate for abortion rights. Last week, she made her views clear in a video, stating there is “no room for compromise” regarding the issue. She also addresses this topic in her forthcoming memoir.

“Why should anyone other than the woman herself have the authority to decide what she does with her body?” she writes. “A woman’s essential right to individual freedom concerning her own life empowers her to choose to end her pregnancy if she decides.”

While Melania Trump’s public stance may be beneficial in opposing the Republican Party’s views, it does not negate the actions of her husband’s Supreme Court justices who rescinded Roe v. Wade. This situation highlights how significant this topic is for all women, including those who identify with the GOP.

Currently, there are 10 states where abortion rights will be decided in upcoming ballots, and voters nationwide remain skeptical about claims from Trump and Vance about their concern for women’s rights. These voters will influence whether the rights established by Roe can be preserved or if the nation faces a potential ban on abortion. It’s crucial for them to participate as they have in the past to ensure a brighter future for everyone.

As you cast your vote, remember the 21.5 million women and girls of reproductive age living under abortion restrictions. To those affected, I am hopeful we can restore your rights sooner rather than later.