Maher v. Roe

Connecticut's Medicaid regulation limited state funding for first-trimester abortions to those "medically necessary" (including psychiatric necessity); Susan Roe (plaintiff), an indigent woman denied funding under this rule, sued Commissioner Maher (defendant), arguing the regulation violated her fundamental right to abortion and equal protection. The district court held the Equal Protection Clause required Connecticut to fund non-therapeutic abortions as well, and Maher appealed.