U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Louisiana Law Requiring Hospital Admitting Privileges, Upholds Access to Abortion

Saint Paul, MN — Today, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana law requiring abortion providers to have hospital admitting privileges, a medically unnecessary mandate that would drastically diminish access to safe, legal abortion. Today’s decision in June Medical Services v. Russo was a strong statement on the importance of precedent since the Court had struck down an identical Texas law just three years ago in Whole Women’s Health v. Hellerstedt.

Below is a statement from Sarah Stoesz, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States on today’s ruling:

“People across our country are letting out a big sigh of relief today. We are relieved that the Supreme Court upheld precedent, striking down the restrictive Louisiana law that would have left the state with just one physician able to provide abortions. Today’s victory is a huge win for safe, legal abortion, but our fight for access to sexual and reproductive health is far from over.

Though we have a victory in this case, the unrelenting attacks on our access to health care and our safety continue. Far too many people — particularly people of color, people with low incomes and those in rural areas — already live in a world where access to abortion is nearly unattainable because of restrictive laws and lack of affordable, high-quality health care. Right now, people need more access to health care, not less. Abortion is essential. Sexual and reproductive health is essential.

We should take heart today but we must be under no illusion: today’s decision was about precedent and there is no guarantee that current majority on the Supreme Court would protect abortion access if a different restrictive law came before them.”

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Planned Parenthood North Central States and its subsidiary organizations provide, promote, and protect reproductive and sexual health through high-quality care, education and advocacy. A member of America’s most trusted reproductive health care provider, our affiliate is proud to support and operate 29 health centers across our five-state region (Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota). Each year, we provide health care to nearly 115,000 people and health education to more than 99,000 people in our region.