What is Roe v Wade and how does it affect abortion rights in the US?

A woman's right to have an abortion through the first trimester of pregnancy was protected nationally in 1973 following the supreme court's landmark ruling

• Supreme court voted to overturn Roe v Wade, leaked draft opinion reportedly shows

A leaked initial draft majority opinion suggests the US supreme court is poised to vote to overturn the Roe v Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide, Politico reported on Monday.

The supreme court and the White House have declined to comment.