12-week abortion ban, gender affirming care ban, pass final vote
By Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska | May 20, 2023, 2:33 p.m.
Category:
LB 574 heads to the governor for signing
LINCOLN, Neb.– The Nebraska Legislature today approved the 12-week abortion ban and gender affirming care ban on the third and final vote, with the emergency clause. The bill, LB 574, is now headed to the governor to be signed.
The bill passed through a myriad of twists and turns outside of the standard legislative process, and Nebraskans packed the capital to loudly lobby against the bill.
This is the third and final vote on the bill and amendment, that will now go to the governor to sign. The governor is expected to sign it, although when that will happen is not clear. The abortion ban will go into effect the day after he signs the bill.
Planned Parenthood North Central States’ health centers will continue to provide care to the extent legally allowed. Abortion patient navigators are prepared to help Nebraskans who will be impacted by the 12-week ban to find and access an abortion appointment, wherever it may be.
Statement from Andi Curry Grubb, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska:
“A ban is a ban, plain and simple. Banning abortion after 12 weeks denies a person the fundamental right to control their own body and health care decisions. The goal of the abortion ban and the gender affirming care ban, as with all bans, is to stop people from accessing essential health care and to take away people’s power over their own bodies, lives, and futures.
Every person deserves the right to control their bodies and their futures. Today’s bans will create a devastating new reality in Nebraska, and I am very sad for the patients and families who will be impacted.”
Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America
“These bans will have devastating consequences for people in Nebraska and throughout the region who have relied on this state for care. In one fell swoop, lawmakers have voted to outlaw abortion and gender-affirming care, making clear that their political interests are more important than the health and safety of their own constituents. People will now be forced to flee their state to get access to abortion, or be forced to carry pregnancies to term against their will. Young families who cannot access life-saving gender-affirming care may be forced to move with their families. While this is a heartbreaking end to a difficult fight, we thank the reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights activists who showed up to make their voices heard throughout the legislative session. Planned Parenthood will never turn its back on patients as they seek essential health care in Nebraska and across the country, and we will never stop fighting for their right to control their own bodies, lives, and future.
###
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska Action Fund, formerly PP Voters of Nebraska, is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization. As the advocacy and electoral arm of PPNCS, we mobilize supporters of all parties to defend and increase access to family planning services and fact based, medically accurate sexuality education. We work to inspire and engage citizens to take up the cause of reproductive health and rights through education,electoral activity, grassroots organizing and legislative advocacy.
Tags: