Q&A: Dr. Leana Wen on preserving Roe v. Wade and what she expects of 2020 candidates

In the seven months since Dr. Leana Wen took over as president of Planned Parenthood, many states have passed laws that prohibit abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. And abortion rights are a key issue in the upcoming presidential election. I caught up with Wen at the Aspen Ideas Health Festival in Colorado this past weekend to chat more.

What are the chances that Roe v. Wade could be overturned?

There are 14 cases that are one step away [from the U.S. Supreme Court], which is a terrifying thought. If Roe is overturned, then 25 million women would be living in states where abortion is outlawed, banned, and criminalized.

What are you looking for from 2020 candidates?

My expectation is for all our candidates to affirm that reproductive health care is health care. That abortion is part of the full spectrum of reproductive health care and that health care is a fundamental human right.

Read the full interview here.