Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin Statement on Wisconsin Supreme Court Filing

Madison, Wis. – Today Sheboygan County District Attorney Joel Urmanski filed a petition to bypass the appeals court and has asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to decide whether Dane County Circuit Court Judge Diane Schlipper’s ruling from December 2023 that statute 940.04 does not apply to consensual abortion care should stand.

The following is a statement from Michelle Velasquez, Chief Strategy Officer, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.

“December’s circuit court ruling was an important step forward in our fight to restore, protect and expand access to abortion in Wisconsin. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin vehemently opposes DA Urmanski’s view that the force of Wis. Stat. 940.04 against abortion providers was immediately restored upon the overturning of Roe v. Wade.   However, we do agree with DA Urmanski that bypass to the Wisconsin Supreme Court is appropriate, as this issue is of statewide importance and that requiring this case to be first decided by the Court of Appeals will only result in needless delay. Wisconsinites need and deserve expeditious resolution to the question before the court so that they can continue to rely on access to abortion.

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin will continue to provide abortion care services at our Water Street Health Center in Milwaukee, Madison East Health Center, and Sheboygan Health Center. We will continue essential work to help protect and expand reproductive freedom in Wisconsin so that everyone who needs comprehensive reproductive health care in our state can get the nonjudgmental and compassionate care they deserve.”

Patients who wish to learn more about accessing abortion care at Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, or who would like to schedule an appointment, can do so here: www.ppwi.org

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.