Planned Parenthood Great Plains Interim CEO Reacts to Supreme Court Allowing Restrictive Texas Abortion Law to Remain in Place
For Immediate Release: Dec. 10, 2021 (Updated: Dec. 10, 2021, 5:51 p.m.)
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Today, in the wake of The Supreme Court ruling that Texas’ SB-8 — a near-total ban on abortions — can remain in place, Planned Parenthood Great Plains (PPGP) Interim CEO Emily Wales reacted to the court’s continued blocking of access to care for thousands of patients:
“A majority of the court essentially told people today that their reproductive health care decisions are not their own to make, instead giving that power to Texas lawmakers. As a provider in surrounding states, we have seen the dramatic and consequential impact this law has had on Texans. People will continue to have to cross state lines, at times traveling for hundreds of miles, seeking care in a state that doesn’t as severely restrict their rights. Unfortunately, it’s only a matter of time before other state legislatures feel emboldened to pass similar, detrimental laws at the expense of patients. But we will do as we’ve always done, continue to keep our doors open and ready to offer essential health care, including abortions, to those who need it most.”
Although the ruling allows providers to challenge SB-8, the law remains in effect and Texans still don't have access to needed health care under this unconstitutional law.
Since the law went into effect on September 1, PPGP has seen an unprecedented increase in patients traveling from Texas to health centers in Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas.