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Articles by

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 best to do that.

My work at The 19th emphasizes abortion policy, access to 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.

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.

Contact [email protected]

Latest from Shefali Luthra

The Supreme Court appears likely to allow challenges to Texas’ six-week abortion law. Here’s what that means.

Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett both seem open to arguments from Texas abortion providers.

Shefali Luthra, Candice Norwood · November 1, 2021
The Supreme Court will hear arguments on Texas' abortion law. Here's what you need to know.

The unusual structure of Senate Bill 8 means that Monday’s arguments will not actually address the constitutional right to an abortion.

Shefali Luthra, Candice Norwood · November 1, 2021
Abortion clinic wait times surge in states surrounding Texas

Texas patients could be straining capacity at the small number of abortion clinics near the state, a new report finds.

Shefali Luthra · October 29, 2021
Abortion bans could add hundreds of miles of travel to those seeking the procedures, analysis shows

If the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, just 13 states could become destinations for people from more than 20 others that would be expected to restrict abortions.

Shefali Luthra · October 28, 2021
Supreme Court to hear two challenges to Texas abortion law on November 1

In the interim, the law — which has effectively ended access to abortion in Texas — will remain in effect

Shefali Luthra · October 22, 2021
Pregnant undocumented minors, many of them rape survivors, no longer have access to abortions in Texas

Officials have been ordered to transfer minors seeking abortions to facilities outside the state — delaying their access to the procedure.

Shefali Luthra · October 18, 2021
For 48 hours, abortion after 6 weeks was legal in Texas. Getting care still wasn’t easy

Across a major abortion clinic network in Texas, only 10 people over six weeks of pregnancy were able to obtain an abortion.

Jennifer Gerson, Shefali Luthra · October 14, 2021
Kansas has become a beacon for abortion access. Next year, that could disappear.

Without Kansas as a safe haven, the Midwestern abortion desert will be bigger than the country of France.

Shefali Luthra · October 13, 2021
More than half of men favor Texas' abortion ban, poll shows

Americans are split on Texas’ strict new abortion ban, with roughly equal numbers supporting and opposing it, but women far more likely to disapprove of the law.

Shefali Luthra · October 5, 2021
106 restrictions on abortions have become law this year. It’s a record.

Texas, which effectively outlawed most abortions, was not even in the top five states in terms of the number of abortion restrictions enacted, an analysis found.

Shefali Luthra · October 5, 2021