Planned Parenthood Responds to IGA Call for Special Session on Abortion
For Immediate Release: March 9, 2022
The following statement is in response to the 100 Republican members of the Indiana General Assembly who called on Governor Holcomb to hold a special session on abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned or gutted this summer. This statement can be attributed to Lisa Humes-Schulz, Vice President of Policy and Regulatory Affairs for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates:
“After years of attacking access to abortion care, this week Indiana Republicans have taken their first step in putting abortion entirely out of reach for people across the state, as soon as they have the green light from the Supreme Court. We implore Governor Holcomb to deny the call for this special session with the singular purpose of stripping people in Indiana of their reproductive autonomy. No one's most personal medical decisions should be controlled by politicians or anyone else,” said Lisa Humes-Schulz, Vice President of Policy and Regulatory Affairs for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates. “We know that abortion bans harm people of color, people with low incomes, and those living in rural areas the most. People with means will always be able to access abortion — it’s the people who already face systemic barriers to care who will to continue to suffer if Indiana holds this special session.
“If Indiana were to institute a total abortion ban, experts predict we would see a 21 percent increase in the number of pregnancy-related deaths and a 33 percent increase among Black women. Indiana already ranks 48th when it comes to maternal mortality, a crisis that is killing Black women at 2.5 times the national rate. Patients would also be forced to travel across state lines, driving an estimated 126 miles one-way to reach time-sensitive, essential care.
“Abortion bans is not what the people of Indiana want — nearly three-quarters of Indiana voters believe it is important that women in Indiana have access to all reproductive health care options, including abortion. Banning abortion would not only cause immense harm to people in Indiana, but it would also be shirking the will of the majority of voters.”