Planned Parenthood Statement on Dismissal of Tamesha Means Case

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a narrow ruling upholding a lower court’s dismissal of a lawsuit brought by Tamesha Means, who was denied emergency treatment for a miscarriage due to the hospital’s religious directives. However, this narrow ruling does not preclude similar suits brought by other women who are denied emergency care because of a hospital’s religious policies.

Statement from Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“Everyone is entitled to their own personal beliefs, but you shouldn’t be able to put a woman’s health at risk in the process. When a person goes to the hospital or visits their doctor, they should be confident that they’ll get the best care possible and should not have to worry that they’ll be turned away for ideological reasons. In some communities, these Catholic hospitals are the only health care providers available -- leaving people with nowhere to turn for reliable access to basic, and often lifesaving, reproductive health care. Every person deserves access to safe, compassionate, quality care, no matter who they are or where they live.”

Means is represented by attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Michigan. For more information on the case, visit aclu.org. For background on the growing threat of religious refusals to people’s health and lives, read this new report from ACLU and MergerWatch.

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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 over 650 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.