Reproductive health

The Population Institute (Disclosure: I am on the board) has issued its annual “50-State Report Card on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.” States’ grades are based on such indicators as:

■ Comprehensive sex education in the schools

■ Medicaid access under the Affordable Care Act

■ Obstacles to family planning or abortion services

■ Emergency contraception mandated in the emergency room

■ Access to gender-affirming care Points assigned to 11 indicators total 100 points, representing strong support for sexual and reproductive health and rights. New Jersey (95 points), California (94 points), New Mexico (93 points), Vermont (88 points), and Oregon (87.5 points) received a letter grade of A.

Twenty-five states received a grade of F, an increase from recent years— due in part to state actions prompted by the death of Roe v. Wade.

Alabama received the lowest grade: 10 points. Mississippi (16 points) and Tennessee (17 points) followed closely in the cellar.

Arkansas’ 32.5 points placed it 17th from the bottom, but the researchers added a minus to our F, indicating that policies under consideration could make matters worse.

It is worth noting that the issue of sexual and reproductive health and rights refers almost exclusively to women and reflects the degree to which they are considered capable of controlling their own bodies. Our report card indicates a deficit in Arkansas’ respect for women.

Fortunately, women still have the right to vote and might use it to demand more respect.

EARL BABBIE Hot Springs Village