MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – On Tuesday, a Dane County judge reaffirmed a July ruling stating Wisconsin law allows for medical abortions, and reaction is now flowing in from both sides.
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin said the new ruling is a huge step forward for reproductive freedoms.
“Abortion bans and restrictions don’t make it so people don’t ever need abortions,” Chief Strategy Officer Michelle Velasquez said. “They just make things, including pregnancy, riskier.”
Velasquez said it’s not surprising following the initial July ruling. Still, she feels it will ensure protections for people seeking abortions and those performing them.
“Really offers other providers and other health systems the reassurance they need to know that they can treat their patients without fear of prosecution.”
However, the recent decision is concerning to anti-abortion groups such as Wisconsin Right to Life.
“We firmly believe that all life in our state is deserving of protection and that includes preborn children,” Legislative Director Gracie Skogman said.
Planned Parenthood originally offered abortion services at three clinics. Until Tuesday, abortions had only resumed in Madison and Milwaukee, but not Sheboygan’s facility.
However, after the new ruling, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin said it will be reopening abortion services at all locations that previously had it.
And they’re hoping it doesn’t stop there, with plans to add more services at locations like Green Bay and Appleton.
“Long term goals are to expand abortion access and services throughout the state of Wisconsin, but in order to do that we really have to focus on the laws,” Velasquez said.
“One option to women and that is a procedure that takes the life of a preborn child,” Skogman said. “That is absolutely concerning and devastating to our state. The reality is that woman deserve comprehensive support and services.”
Just days after Roe V. Wade was overturned, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul filed a lawsuit, saying the 1849 law was too old to enforce.
“This is a major win for reproductive freedom in Wisconsin, and we are prepared to defend that victory and reproductive freedom as we move forward,” Kaul said in a Tuesday press conference.
But the legal battle is not over yet, with Sheboygan County District Attorney Joel Urmanski announcing he’d be appealing the decision.
“In my view, the statute plainly applies to abortions and, while it may be that the citizens of the State of Wisconsin would be better served by a different statute, I do not believe it is my job or the role of the courts to make that determination,” Urmanski said.
“We find that very encouraging and agree with him, agree with the concerns that he stated,” Skogman said.
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin has not said when medical abortions will resume in Sheboygan, just that it will happen “as soon as possible.”
It is likely that a case of this magnitude could go before the state’s Supreme Court. If that happens, the decision would likely stand with the liberal-controlled court.
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