Federal Court: Restrictive WI Abortion Law Is Unconstitutional, Endangers Women's Health

[hazlnut]

Federal Court: Restrictive WI Abortion Law Is Unconstitutional, Endangers Women's Health

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin law that requires abortion providers to get admitting privileges at nearby hospitals is unconstitutional, a federal appeals court panel ruled Monday.

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel's 2-1 decision doesn't put the question to rest. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed earlier this month to hear a challenge to a similar Texas law in a case that could settle the issue nationally.

The Wisconsin case centers on a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood and Affiliated Medical Services. The groups argue that the 2013 Republican-backed law amounts to an unconstitutional restriction on abortion.

The law's supporters counter it ensures continuity of care if a woman developed complications from an abortion and needed to be hospitalized. But the lawsuit said the statute would force AMS's clinic in Milwaukee to close because its doctors couldn't get admitting privileges. That in turn would lead to longer waits at Planned Parenthood clinics. Therefore, the lawsuit maintained, the law amounts to an illegal restriction on abortions.

U.S. District Judge William Conley sided with the abortion providers in March, saying the law served no legitimate health interest. The Wisconsin Department of Justice later appealed to the 7th Circuit.

Hopefully this decision can be used to overturn other state laws that attempt the same end-run around Roe V. Wade.

Roe v. Wade is the best compromise we have for abortion, giving the state more authority with each trimester. Red states have been implementing these laws shutting down clinics and restricting access-- which only results in more unwanted children on welfare.

Makes no sense. Republicans rail against the "takers" but prevent poor women and girls from getting abortions. Why?