This man’s name is on the MS law that overturned Roe v. Wade. He has nothing to do with it.
The man whose name is permanently linked with the landmark anti-abortion ruling in the U.S. said he has nothing to do with the case filed in Mississippi.
State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs, who led Mississippi through the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, is known for sticking to science and steering clear of politics.
Without comment last week, he tweeted the Associated Press story headlined, “Doctor named in abortion case has nothing to do with lawsuit.”
Through the department’s communications director, he also declined an interview request for the story because he “did not personally initiate this case.” The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the case overturned the constitutional right to abortion established almost 50 years ago by Roe v. Wade.
Dobbs’ name is on the case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, because of the position he has held since December 2018 and will relinquish, possibly for a position in academics, at the end of July.
He is known as a hands-on public health advocate, often venturing into the field to work with colleagues, and is widely respected among his peers.
When Gov. Tate Reeves’ COVID-19 policies proved more lenient than public-health advice, Dobbs continued to advocate for safety measures without challenging the governor’s dictates as they sat side-by-side in news conferences.
Dobbs had not tweeted anything about abortion by 1:15 p.m. Friday.
This story was originally published June 24, 2022 at 11:53 AM with the headline "This man’s name is on the MS law that overturned Roe v. Wade. He has nothing to do with it.."
