SOUTH DAKOTANS REJECT SECOND ABORTION BAN IN TWO YEARS

Planned Parenthood Maintains Commitment to Protecting Women’s Health and Safety

Washington, DC — Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is thankful that for the second time in two years, South Dakotans have voted down a dangerous and unconstitutional abortion ban. Initiated Measure 11 was defeated at the ballot box. If Initiated Measure 11 had passed, it would have been one of the most restrictive and dangerous bans in recent history.

“Tonight voters in South Dakota reiterated that they will not stand for ideological attacks on women’s health and safety,” said PPFA President Cecile Richards. “Their second rejection of government intrusion into personal, private health care decisions sends a clear message that the focus should be on commonsense, compassionate solutions that will prevent unintended pregnancy and reduce the need for abortion.”

Nowhere in the nation are abortion services harder to access than in South Dakota. Planned Parenthood will continue its commitment to stand by the women we serve by providing affordable, high-quality health care, including family planning services, cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, abortion services, and information and education.

The full text of the ban can be found here.

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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.