MADISON, WI – Oct. 27 – Today, Assembly Republicans voted to pass several politically motivated reproductive health restrictions over the strong objections of the medical community. The medical community opposed the series of restrictions because they are a dangerous intrusion in the patient-physician relationship that prevents doctors from providing a patient with the best possible health care and restrict the ability of patients to access the care they need, including preventive family planning services.
Instead of increasing health care access for patients who already suffer disproportionately poor health outcomes – including high rates of breast and cervical cancer, sexually transmitted infection, premature birth, infant mortality, and maternal mortality – the bills passed today further restrict access to basic health care for women in our state.
We are at a crisis moment for abortion access. In 2021 alone, nearly 600 abortion restrictions have been introduced nationwide, with 90 enacted into law — more than in any year since Roe v. Wade was decided. Abortion in Wisconsin is already extremely limited and heavily restricted with more than a dozen restrictions in place including a law criminalizing abortion that could go into effect if Roe v. Wade is overturned.
Statement from Mike Murray, Executive Director for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin
“The bills advanced today are being pushed by politicians who are making a clear choice to incite fear and misinformation to advance an agenda that aims to ban abortion and restrict access to birth control and sex education. This is not about making people safe or healthy.
Deciding to start a family, delay becoming a parent or ending a pregnancy are some of the most personal decisions many people will make. We don’t want politicians to make these incredibly personal decisions for the people we care about, yet that is what is happening over the objections of doctors and the people who are impacted by these harmful restrictions.
We should all be able to agree that we want our family members, neighbors and loved ones to be able to access the health care they need.”
