UPDATE: Planned Parenthood of Montana Files Request for Emergency Relief Against New Abortion Ban
For Immediate Release: May 16, 2023
HELENA, MT — Today, Planned Parenthood of Montana (PPMT) and its Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Samuel Dickman, once again sought emergency relief in Montana state court against HB 721, a law banning D&E procedures, the safest and most common method of abortion after approximately 15 weeks of pregnancy. The ban took effect immediately upon Gov. Greg Gianforte's signature today. Given the law’s immediate effective date, PPMT initially filed its challenge to HB 721 in April after it had been passed by the Legislature to ensure that no patients lost access to care. That case remains pending, and PPMT and Dr. Dickman now seek a temporary restraining order preventing the State from enforcing the law.
Statement from Martha Fuller, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood of Montana:
“HB 721 is a grave threat to Montanans’ health and safety and must be blocked. Given the law’s immediate effective date, patients across the state can already be denied access to care that was legally available moments before the Governor’s signature today. We hope the Court will block this dangerous abortion ban. Despite these ongoing attacks, Planned Parenthood of Montana’s doors remain open and we will continue doing everything possible to provide essential abortion care to our patients.”
Linked is Planned Parenthood of Montana’s original press release on the filing.
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