MADISON — Abortion providers and physicians across Wisconsin today denounced the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v Wade, which has protected the constitutional right to an abortion for nearly 50 years.
“This unprecedented decision will put Wisconsinites, and tens of millions of people across America, in harm’s way,” said Dr. Ann Helms, critical care neurologist in Milwaukee and Wisconsin State Lead for the Committee to Protect Health Care (CTP). “By opening the doors for states to enforce antiquated abortion bans and enact new restrictions, the Supreme Court is jeopardizing our patients’s health and well-being. Physicians like us are compelled to stand up against this ruling and ask lawmakers to work to protect and expand access to abortion, which is safe, normal and necessary health care.”
With the overturning of Roe v Wade, an 1849 Wisconsin law still on the books criminalizing nearly all abortions could be enforced again. Doctors who violate the law could be subjected to prison time and fines.
“Decisions around abortion are personal, and should be made between patients and their doctors, free from political interference,” said Dr. Kristin Lyerly, an OB/GYN and abortion care provider in De Pere, and member of CTP’s Reproductive Freedom Taskforce in De Pere. “Physicians should be able to continue to do our jobs and trust that our patients know what medical decisions will be best for their bodies and their futures. It’s imperative that our state lawmakers protect this freedom by working to expand abortion access.”
Dr. Madelaine Tully, family physician in Milwaukee said, “We’ve seen what happens when abortions are banned in places like Texas, which recently banned it after six weeks — people are forced to flee to seek care elsewhere, or they’re forced to carry unexpected pregnancies to term. We know all too well that pregnancy is dangerous and can have physical and mental health complications. Nobody should be forced to remain pregnant just because of where they live or how much money they have to be able to travel. Anti-abortion politicians who support forced pregnancy must be held accountable for their dangerous actions.”
