Oklahoma Governor Signs Bill Restricting Access to Safe, Legal Abortion

“We all want to protect women’s health and safety. This law doesn’t do that,” says Planned Parenthood

Oklahoma City – Today, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed a dangerous bill (SB 1848) that will severely restrict a woman’s access to safe, legal abortion in the state by requiring physicians to have admitting privileges at a local hospital, in addition to other medically unnecessary requirements for abortion providers.

“We all want to protect women’s health and safety. This law doesn’t do that — which is why Oklahoma’s leading medical experts oppose it,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. 

Like similar restrictions passed in Texas, Alabama, Wisconsin, Mississippi, and pending in other states like Louisiana, this law was passed under the guise of protecting patient safety — but it does the opposite.  If these restrictions take effect, two out of three of the state’s providers of safe and legal abortion today could be forced to close, posing a risk to women’s health. The Oklahoma State Medical Association opposes this legislation, warning that SB 1848 will “result in the legislature and unelected bureaucrats at the Department of Health interfering in the physician/patient relationship and crafting more burdensome regulations that...may not reflect medical science or the best interest of the patient.” Physician and Oklahoma State Rep. Doug Cox (R) also spoke out against this dangerous bill.

Planned Parenthood works every day to make sure women receive the high-quality health care they need in a safe, respectful environment. Planned Parenthood personnel constantly evaluate new research in the field, new recommendations from medical associations, new technologies, and feedback from patients, experts, and regulators to continue improving practices. 

“When you stop to think about it, these restrictions are written by politicians and not medical experts,” said Anita Fream, CEO, Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma. “It’s clear the intent of this legislation is to shut down health centers, and we are deeply concerned about what that will mean for women in our state if it happens.”

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 700 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.