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Shefali Luthra

Reproductive Health Reporter (She/Her)

I’m Shefali Luthra, The 19th’s reproductive health reporter. I’ve covered health care for more than a decade, starting at the Texas Tribune, where I wrote about abortion restrictions and the rollout of the Affordable Care Act, before moving to KFF Health News. I’m passionate about covering health care in a way that highlights policy’s human impact. I love hearing from readers about how to do that.

My work emphasizes abortion policy, fertility care and contraception, and every other corner of reproductive health. I’ve contributed to multiple award-winning projects, including our coverage of the fall of Roe v. Wade, which won a 2023 Online Journalism Award, and a series on pregnancy in post-Roe America, which won a Murrow Award. My book about the loss of abortion rights, called Undue Burden, published in May 2024 and was a finalist for the Kirkus Prize.

I live in Washington, D.C., and am a graduate of Brown University, where I studied English literature. When not reporting, I’m an avid runner and ardent fan of Julien Baker, the Boston Celtics and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

My work is free to consume and free to republish because of contributions from readers like you. A donation of $19 goes a long way toward sustaining our nonprofit newsroom.

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Latest from Shefali Luthra

Abortion providers expected that Roe v. Wade could be overturned. But the leaked draft made it real.

Abortions remain legal in every state. But the leak is pushing providers to begin envisioning a country without federal abortion rights.

Shefali Luthra · May 4, 2022
Blue states have passed laws to shore up abortion access, but it may not be enough to address potential surge

Several Democratic-led statehouses have taken steps in recent months to codify abortion protections, but few have done anything to increase access in anticipation of out-of-state patients.

Shefali Luthra, Barbara Rodriguez · May 3, 2022
Impacts of leaked Supreme Court draft decision could have a 'chilling effect' on abortion access

Abortion clinics have already been working to try to publicize information about what is currently legal — as well as about the impending Dobbs decision.

Shefali Luthra · May 2, 2022
What we know about the Supreme Court draft opinion — and what it could mean for abortion access

If Roe is overturned, the level of abortion access — or if the procedure is legal at all — would be left to the states.

Shefali Luthra, Abby Johnston, Terri Rupar · May 2, 2022
Employees of one of the biggest reproductive health research orgs are unionizing at a pivotal moment in the abortion rights movement

The push comes after months of low morale at the institute — and just as the Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling that could weaken or overturn Roe v. Wade

Shefali Luthra · May 2, 2022
Oklahoma approves two laws that could immediately end all in-state abortion access

Gov. Kevin Stitt has indicated that he plans to sign both bills, which would end abortion services at clinics in the state and add to a growing abortion desert.

Shefali Luthra · April 28, 2022
At Oklahoma abortion clinics, each day could be the last for care as new laws loom

No new abortion ban has taken effect, but the impacts are already being felt in clinics across the state.

Shefali Luthra · April 25, 2022
Kentucky is the first state to end virtually all in-state abortions

Clinics are challenging the strict new abortion law, known as House Bill 3, in federal court.

Shefali Luthra · April 13, 2022
Oklahoma just passed a near-total abortion ban. More restrictions are likely coming.

Despite this ban, the state legislature is moving on to pass even more abortion restrictions in preparation for a Supreme Court decision this summer.

Shefali Luthra · April 12, 2022
Supreme Court’s upcoming abortion ruling will spark a new round of questions about legality and access

It will likely take weeks or even months for the full impact of the decision to become clear.

Shefali Luthra · April 7, 2022