Republicans Refuse to Repeal 1849 Criminal Abortion Law 
Reproductive Freedom and Health Care Access for 1.3 Million Women at Risk in WI

Today, despite a sea of pink supporters present at the State Capitol and a majority of voters who support protecting safe and legal abortion in Wisconsin, Republican members of the Legislature refused to take action during the Governor’s Special Session to repeal the 1849 criminal abortion law. With the Supreme Court poised to repeal Roe, Wisconsin’s law criminalizing abortion without exception for rape, incest or the health of the woman could go back into effect immediately following the Supreme Court’s decision. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin has already had to suspend abortion services after June 25 and refer patients out of state for abortion care in anticipation of the loss of Roe and the enforcement of Wisconsin law 940.04.

Statement from Tanya Atkinson, president of Planned Parenthood Advocates of WI

“It is inconceivable that Republicans have turned their backs on women by allowing Wisconsin’s 1849 criminal abortion law to go back into effect, putting people’s health and lives in jeopardy and threatening doctors with prison time for providing health care to their patients. This law - passed during a time when women didn’t have the right to vote or hold elected office - denies people the freedom to control their own bodies during the most pivotal moments in their lives.

PPWI could have immediately resumed scheduling abortion care for women if the Legislature repealed the criminal abortion ban today. Instead, people will likely be forced to travel out of state, at significant cost to their health and lives, to access the care they need. In 2022, our daughters are poised to have fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers.

This is not the future we want for ourselves, friends, families or communities. Decisions about our health care are personal. Most of us agree that we want the ability to decide what’s best for us in consultation with the most trusted people in our lives—without politicians interfering.

Planned Parenthood will not back down from this attack on people’s freedom to access the essential health care they need. We remain dedicated to fighting for a better future where decisions about whether to choose adoption, end a pregnancy, or raise a child are left to each person to make based on what’s best for their health and their future. Together, must rise as a community, raise our voices and fight for the rights of all Wisconsinites.”

Special Event Note: Tonight at 7 p.m. the Hoan Bridge in Milwaukee will be lit PINK in support for reproductive freedom and justice in Wisconsin.

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Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin is the advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. PPAWI engages in legislative and educational activity and works to elect candidates to office that support these goals.