U.S. Supreme Court Hears Case That Could Determine Future of Abortion Access

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in June Medical Services v. Russo, a case about a medically unnecessary abortion restriction designed to make abortion inaccessible. Medical experts including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Medical Association (AMA) agree that hospital admitting privilege requirements have nothing to do with patient health or safety. If the Supreme Court upholds this Louisiana law, abortion could become effectively banned in states across the country, without ever overturning Roe v. Wade. Worst case scenario, if Roe is overturned, Wisconsin has a law on the books that would immediately make abortion a crime.

In the 2016 case Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, the Supreme Court already ruled hospital admitting privilege requirements are unconstitutional. The only difference today is the makeup of the Court with newly appointed Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch hearing arguments for the first time in an abortion case. 

Statement from Tanya Atkinson, President and CEO Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI):

“Access to reproductive health care is on the line. Planned Parenthood will never give up on our patients. Every person deserves the freedom to decide if and when to become a parent and access the health care and information they need. 

Since 2011, state politicians - including those in Wisconsin - have passed more than 450 restrictions that do one thing: make abortion inaccessible. Abortion in Wisconsin is already significantly restricted. There are over a dozen laws restricting access abortion in Wisconsin and only four health centers providing access to abortion in three out of Wisconsin’s 72 counties: Milwaukee, Madison and Sheboygan. 

Efforts to ban abortion run counter to what the majority of Americans want. In fact, a record-high 77 percent of Americans say they do not want to see Roe v. Wade overturned, and there is no state in this country where banning abortion is popular.

Deciding to start a family, delay becoming a parent or ending a pregnancy are some of the most personal decisions a woman could make. A woman should be in charge of her own personal medical decisions with her doctor. At Planned Parenthood our doors are open. We are unwavering in our commitment to protect access to essential, expert health care and information our patients need without judgment.”

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Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin is a nonprofit health care provider serving 54,000 patients annually at 24 health centers. Planned Parenthood provides the full range of comprehensive reproductive health care including well woman exams, breast and cervical cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment and birth control. PPWI offers abortion care in Milwaukee, Madison and Sheboygan.