Planned Parenthood and ACLU In Court in Wisconsin to Protect Safe and Legal Abortion

For Immediate Release: Nov. 6, 2014

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Trial Begins Tuesday in Case Challenging Dangerous Restrictions that Restrict Safe and Legal Abortion Statewide 

Madison, WI – A trial begins Tuesday in federal court in a lawsuit seeking to permanently block a harmful Wisconsin law signed in 2013 that could further restrict abortion in that state. Currently in Wisconsin there are only four health centers where a woman can have an abortion.  If this law takes effect, one provider in Milwaukee will be forced to close immediately and the remaining three may not be able to absorb the unmet need, which will force abortion later in pregnancy if a woman is able to have one at all.

Leading national medical groups, such as the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, oppose laws like these because they do not enhance patient safety. In fact, these laws put women at risk because they make it more difficult for quality health care providers to remain open.

“We all want to protect women’s health and safety,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.  “This law won’t do that — in fact, it will do the opposite, which is why we are in court on behalf of the patients who turn to Planned Parenthood health centers for safe, compassionate, respectful care.”

Data, including from the CDC, show that abortion has over a 99 percent safety record. Other outpatient procedures are not subject to the same level of regulation even if they have higher rates of complication.

“Let me be clear: This law was designed by politicians, not doctors, with the single-minded goal of shutting down women’s health care centers and ending access to safe, legal abortion,” said Louise Melling, deputy legal director of the ACLU. “Requiring a business arrangement that would decrease women’s access to high quality health care providers doesn’t improve women’s safety. Opponents are waging a stealth war on abortion, and women and families are paying the price.”

The plaintiffs in this case already have plans in place for patient safety. Emergency rooms are required to treat any patient, and all Wisconsin abortion clinics already have made arrangements with local hospitals in the extremely rare case that a patient needs hospital care.

“At Planned Parenthood, patient health and safety is our top priority, and we work every day to make sure women receive the high-quality health care they need in a safe, respectful environment, including abortion,” said Teri Huyck, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. “Ensuring the health and safety of our patients is central to our mission and fundamental to every person who works at Planned Parenthood.”

Physicians who provide abortion might not be able to obtain admitting privileges at local hospitals for a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with their quality or credentials. Reasons include: the religious affiliation of the hospitals as well as various hospital bylaw requirements that the physicians cannot satisfy, such as minimum number of hospital admissions per year (which the physicians cannot satisfy because abortion is so safe), and requirements that the physician live within a certain distance of the hospital. 

Women in Wisconsin aren’t the only targets of this strategy. Last week, another federal trial, led by the ACLU and Planned Parenthood, began in Alabama concerning a similar law. Another law in Mississippi — currently blocked by court order — could eliminate the state’s only remaining abortion provider.  In Texas, where a similar law has taken effect, the number of physicians providing safe and legal abortion has been reduced. The most drastic impact is in regions where residents are low-income and in the greatest need for health care.  Meanwhile, similar legislation has been introduced in Pennsylvania, is nearing final passage in Oklahoma, and has been sent to Governor Bobby Jindal’s desk in Louisiana.

 “Our elected officials are following special interests that wish to prevent women from getting the care they need,” said Chris Ahmuty, executive director of the ACLU of Wisconsin. “It’s time for politicians to focus on our state’s real challenges, like improving access to equal education and keeping youth out of prisons.”

The plaintiffs in this case are Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin and Affiliated Medical Services. They are represented by attorneys from Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin firm Cullen, Weston, Pines & Bach. 
 
More information on the Wisconsin case can be found at: https://www.aclu.org/trap-laws

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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.