SUPREME COURT HEARS ARGUMENTS IN CASE THAT COULD REVERSE PROGRESS MADE ON WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE WELL-BEING

(Washington, D.C.) —  Today, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on June Medical Services v. Russo, and Power to Decide, along with partner organizations, is participating in a rally at the Supreme Court. The rally will raise critical awareness on the impact that the Louisiana law, if upheld, will have on women’s reproductive well-being.

The law being challenged before the Court today would require those who provide abortion care to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles where they provide abortion services. Should the Court uphold the Louisiana law, it would result in the nearly 1 million women of childbearing age in Louisiana having access to only a single abortion clinic in the state.

“The limitations to access to abortion set forth in June Medical Services v. Russo wrest women’s ability to drive their own health care decisions and instead, hands these decisions to lawmakers, hospital administrators and governors,” said Ginny Ehrlich, CEO, Power to Decide. “Doing so would have a chilling effect on the advancements made possible for women since abortion became legal nationwide in 1973."

There is no medical reason for requiring admitting privileges for those who provide abortion care. Complications from abortion procedures are rare. The Louisiana law is intended to limit access to abortion. Should the Court uphold June Medical Services v. Russo, other states would surely limit access in the same manner.

“The case before the Court today is so important because it will either set a precedent in support of or against access to abortion services,” said Ehrlich. “The result will have emanating effects within and beyond Louisiana.”

Power to Decide is a private, non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to ensure all people—no matter who they are, where they live or what their economic status might be—have the power to decide if, when and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child. Please visit us at www.PowerToDecide.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.