Which case refined Roe's framework and upheld abortion rights under a new standard?

• A. Roe v. Wade
• B. Webster v. Reproductive Health Services
• C. Planned Parenthood v. Casey
• D. Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt

Answer: (C)

Planned Parenthood v. Casey changes how abortion rights are evaluated by moving away from Roe’s rigid trimester approach and adopting an undue burden standard. The Court reaffirmed that a woman has the constitutional right to choose to have an abortion before fetal viability, but it held that states may regulate abortion as long as those regulations do not place a substantial obstacle in the path of a woman seeking one. This shifts the focus from strict categories to the real-world impact of laws, allowing certain restrictions such as informed consent and waiting periods while striking down anything that would effectively block access before viability. In short, Casey preserves the core right but introduces a flexible standard that assesses whether a regulation creates an undue burden on the pursuit of abortion.