MADISON – Today, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued its ruling in Kaul v. Urmanski, striking down Wisconsin’s 1849 criminal abortion ban. After the ruling, Sen. Mark Spreitzer released the following statement:
“Today’s ruling affirms what the majority of Wisconsinites already know to be true: reproductive decisions should be made between a patient and their doctor, not by politicians.
“This decision is a critical step forward. It confirms that Wisconsin’s restrictive and archaic, 1849 criminal abortion ban is no longer part of our statutes and no longer stands in the way of access to abortion. I look forward to working with my colleagues to bolster the fundamental healthcare rights of Wisconsinites and to ensure they have access to the reproductive healthcare they need.
“Wisconsin’s archaic, 1849 criminal abortion ban put lives at risk. I have heard countless stories from physicians, nurses, and patients that illustrate how dangerous and cruel Wisconsin’s outdated law was – banning abortion even in cases of rape, incest, or serious medical complications. That ends today.
“Abortion is healthcare, and as your State Senator I will continue to do all that I can to protect the right to choose. Because of today’s decision, Wisconsin is a safer place. I applaud this decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.”
