Near-Total Abortion Ban Takes Effect in Arizona

ARIZONA –  Today’s decision by the Pima County Superior Court allows a near-total abortion ban, with a narrow exception to save the life of a pregnant person, to take effect in Arizona. The court refused to harmonize dozens of laws that are in effect that clearly allow physicians to provide abortion, including the 15-week law that is set to take effect tomorrow. This decision to lift the injunction on the previously enjoined abortion ban, without clarifying how Arizona’s other existing laws interact with it, has created chaos and confusion and will deny thousands of Arizonans control over their reproductive lives and their ability to have a safe, legal abortion. 

“Today’s ruling by the Pima county superior court has the practical and deplorable result of sending Arizonans back nearly 150 years. No archaic law should dictate our reproductive freedom and how we live our lives today,” said Brittany Fonteno, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Arizona. “We know that today’s ruling does not reflect the will of the people, as Arizonans are overwhelmingly in favor of abortion access. Instead, it is the result of extremist Attorney General Brnovich and other anti-abortion elected officials who are on a mission to strip Arizonans from their right to live under a rule of law that respects our bodily autonomy and reproductive decisions. Let me be clear, this is not the end of the fight, this harmful ban has no place in Arizona and we will persist until that is achieved.”

“Today, the court’s decision takes Arizonans back to living under an archaic, 150-year-old law,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “This decision is out of step with the will of Arizonans and will cruelly force pregnant people to leave their communities to access abortion. Everyone deserves to make their own decisions about their bodies, families, and futures, and yet today, Arizonans’ right to bodily autonomy and self-determination have been stripped away.” 

Criminalizing abortion does not reduce the need and demand for this essential health care. Instead, it forces people to carry unwanted pregnancies, seek abortion outside of the health care system, or bear the financial burden of traveling hundreds or thousands of miles for care, which is simply not possible for many Arizonans. Abortion bans are rooted in America’s legacy of racism and discrimination. This near-total ban will have the greatest impact on Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other people of color, young people, LGBTQ+ people, and undocumented people. 

Planned Parenthood will continue to stand with Arizonans and fight for abortion access in the face of continued attacks.

A copy of the ruling can be found here.

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.