Planned Parenthood v. Casey addresses abortion regulations by allowing states to regulate with what standard?

• A. Upheld abortion rights but allowed states to regulate abortion with undue burdens.
• B. Overturned Roe v. Wade entirely.
• C. Prohibited all abortion restrictions.
• D. Allowed states to ban abortion after viability only.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is balancing a woman’s right to abortion with states’ power to regulate it, using the undue burden standard. Planned Parenthood v. Casey reaffirmed that abortion rights exist, but allowed states to regulate as long as those regulations do not place a substantial obstacle in a woman’s path before viability. The undue burden standard means a law is unconstitutional if its purpose or effect is to impose a substantial obstacle to obtaining an abortion before the fetus is viable. This makes room for reasonable state interests—like informed consent or waiting periods—so long as they don’t become an undue burden. Therefore, the decision describes abortion rights as upheld while permitting state regulation that does not create an undue burden. The other options don’t fit: Casey did not overturn Roe entirely; it does not prohibit all restrictions; and it isn’t limited to bans after viability alone.