First Ever of Its Kind Challenge: Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin Seeks to Affirm Constitutional Freedom to Make Our Own Reproductive Health Care Decisions
Challenging Two Medically Unjustified Restrictions Case asks court to uphold Wisconsin Constitution's promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
MADISON, WI — Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin today filed a lawsuit asking Wisconsin courts to affirm a fundamental promise contained in our state Constitution: that the freedoms guaranteed to every Wisconsinite include the freedom to make deeply personal decisions about our own lives, health and futures.
“This case is an opportunity for a generational step forward for women in Wisconsin,” said Tanya Atkinson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. “For too long, politicians have put barriers between patients and the care they need. Decisions about whether and when to continue a pregnancy are deeply personal. They belong to each of us—not politicians. We are asking the courts to protect the freedom of Wisconsinites to make those decisions for themselves.”
This case asks the court to affirm that women in Wisconsin have the freedom to make their own healthcare decisions without political interference. The lawsuit challenges Wisconsin’s law that states only a physician can provide abortion care and the requirement that abortion patients must wait for a 24‑hour delay before receiving care that they have already decided they need. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, PPWI’s Chief Medical Officer and three advanced practice clinicians are the plaintiffs; the defendants include the Dane County District Attorney representing all district attorneys in Wisconsin, the Medical Examining Board, and the Board of Nursing. Abortion is extremely safe—national data show that about one in four women have had an abortion by age 45, and it is a safe and common part of reproductive health care. Wisconsin law imposes criminal penalties on advanced practice clinicians who provide abortion care, despite no medical justification. These clinicians already manage miscarriage care in Wisconsin and have provided abortion care safely in other states. There is likewise no medical basis for the 24‑hour delay and requirement that abortion patients make at least two appointments to receive care.
“Freedom means being able to make the decisions that shape our lives and futures,” said Tanya Atkinson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. “No politician should have the power to make a deeply personal pregnancy decision for someone else. Wisconsin’s Constitution promises liberty to all of us, and this case asks our courts to protect that promise.”
Both restrictions violate the freedoms guaranteed under the Wisconsin Constitution. For the complaint, updated photo and video assets, and background on abortion, click HERE.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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