TODAY: U.S. Supreme Court Hears Case That Could Unravel Abortion Rights Across the Country
Contact: Jacquelyn Marrero, [email protected], 212-274-7337
For Immediate Release: March 4, 2020 (Updated: March 4, 2020, 4:11 p.m.)
June Medical v. Russo could render Roe v. Wade meaningless, The Reproductive Health Act protects abortion rights in New York no matter the outcome of the case.
NEW YORK CITY — Today, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in June Medical Services v. Russo, a case about a medically unnecessary abortion restriction designed to make abortion inaccessible. If the Supreme Court upholds this Louisiana law, abortion could become effectively banned in states across the country, without ever overturning Roe v. Wade.
Planned Parenthood of Greater New York and other state champions showed the rest of the country what happens when we join forces to protect abortion rights when we passed the Reproductive Health Act (RHA) in 2019. RHA codified the protections of Roe in New York State law, ensuring access to abortion remains safe and legal despite federal restrictions.
Statement from Laura A. McQuade, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York:
June Medical is not simply about abortion access in Louisiana; it’s yet another heinous attempt by politicians to destroy abortion rights for millions of Americans across the country. The outcome of this case could open the floodgates for new abortion restrictions that would ultimately render Roe v. Wade meaningless. This is what President Trump and his extremist cronies have spent decades working for: a world where safe, legal abortion is inaccessible.
Planned Parenthood of Greater New York and our community of champions won’t stand for it. We are fighting back to defend the rights of our patients who need compassionate, nonjudgmental care. Our clinicians, counselors, and staff are here to care for every New Yorker and people across the country who face unnecessary roadblocks to reproductive services. While politicians are erecting barriers, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York is partnering and building bridges to vital health services - that will always include high-quality accessible abortion care. We make this promise to you today and every day.
In 2016, the Supreme Court already ruled, in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, that hospital admitting privilege requirements are unconstitutional. The difference today? The make-up of the court with newly appointed anti-abortion justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch hearing arguments for the first time in an abortion case. For many people, abortion is already effectively banned because of medically unnecessary abortion laws in their state. This case could deal the final blow to abortion access for millions of Americans. Medical experts including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Medical Association (AMA) agree that hospital admitting privilege requirements have nothing to do with patient health or safety.
Since 2011, state anti-abortion politicians have passed more than 450 restrictions that do one thing: make abortion inaccessible. These laws run counter to what the majority of Americans want. In fact, a record-high 77 percent of Americans say they do not want to see Roe v. Wade overturned, and there is no state in this country where banning abortion is popular.
Planned Parenthood of Greater New York is proud to provide abortion services at all of its 28 health centers in New York, along with the full spectrum of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care. These services include birth control, cancer screenings, STD testing and treatment, and more.
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Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) is a leading provider, educator, and advocate of sexual and reproductive health care in New York State. PPGNY offers a wide range of services at its 30 locations across 65% of NYS - including gynecological care; birth control; cancer screenings; pregnancy testing; STI testing and treatment; HIV prevention, testing, and counseling; transgender hormone therapy; and vasectomy. PPGNY is also proud to provide abortion services to anyone who needs compassionate, non-judgmental care. PPGNY is a trusted source of medically-accurate, evidence-based information that allows people to make informed decisions about their health and future. As a voice for reproductive freedom, PPGNY supports legislation and policies that ensure all New Yorkers have access to the full range of reproductive health services and education.