Statement on Ayotte Supreme Court Hearing
For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2014
Washington, D.C. — Today, following the U.S. Supreme Court hearing of legal arguments in Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Karen Pearl, interim president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, issued the following statement:
"Good afternoon. I am Karen Pearl, interim president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America — the nation's leading advocate and provider of reproductive health care. We are here today at the Supreme Court to fight a dangerous law that could prevent doctors from putting a patient's health first when a woman needs an abortion.
"This morning, our legal team presented a strong argument for protecting the health and safety of women in medical emergencies. We believe that doctors should be the judge when it comes to deciding the best care for women. Doctors shouldn't have to find a judge to get permission to take care of women. Women shouldn't have to risk their health and lives to get the care they need.
"The Supreme Court's ruling in Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood could effectively eliminate the requirement that abortion laws must include protections for women's health.
"The government's argument in our case is another attempt to chip away at Roe v. Wade. Tragically, the government is more concerned with restricting access to abortion than with protecting the health and safety of women. Tragically, the outcome of this case could prevent lower federal courts from blocking laws that harm women.
"If anti-choice leaders really want to reduce the need for abortion, they should work WITH Planned Parenthood to prevent unintended pregnancy instead of fighting AGAINST us in the courts.
"Both of the cases before the court today are about protecting the health and safety of women — from violent terrorists who try to prevent women from getting health care and from dangerous government intrusion that prevents doctors from protecting women's health. These cases highlight the critical role of the Supreme Court in our lives. It's exactly why Planned Parenthood is fighting so hard to keep Samuel Alito and his dangerous legal record OFF the Supreme Court."