‘A devastating day’ for women and babies as abortions set to resume in Wisconsin

Planned Parenthood has announced that it will continue committing abortions in Wisconsin effective Monday, September 18. Abortions have been halted in the state since the overturn of Roe v. Wade in June 2022.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, an 1849 state law prohibiting abortions took effect, leading abortion facilities in the state to shutter their doors. However, that law, which states, “Any person, other than the mother, who intentionally destroys the life of an unborn child is guilty of a Class H felony,” was challenged by the state Attorney General.

In July, a judge ruled that she doesn’t believe the law applied to abortion, thereby allowing the possibility for abortions to resume.

“With the recent confirmation from the court that there is not an enforceable abortion ban in Wisconsin, our staff can now provide the full scope of sexual and reproductive health care to anyone in Wisconsin who needs it, no matter what,” Tanya Atkinson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, said in a statement.

1st Trimester Abortion | Suction Dilation and Curettage (D&C) | What is Abortion?

Governor Tony Evers praised the news that Planned Parenthood will soon resume killing the state’s preborn children.

“I’ve been clear from the beginning that I would fight to restore reproductive freedom in our state with every power and every tool we have, and I’ve spent every day over the last year doing just that,” Evers said. Today’s announcement from Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin as a result of our lawsuit regarding Wisconsin’s criminal abortion ban means Wisconsinites will once again be able to access vital reproductive healthcare and abortion services without exception for the first time since June of last year.”

Wisconsin Right to Life also released a statement lamenting the abortion chain’s announcement. “This is a devastating day for preborn children and women facing unexpected pregnancies in Wisconsin. Planned Parenthood is once again showing that they value profit over the lives of vulnerable women and children,” said Gracie Skogman, Wisconsin Right to Life’s legislative/PAC director. “Abortion is not healthcare, it takes the lives of innocent children and leaves many women with unspeakable pain and suffering.” Julaine Appling, president of Wisconsin Family Council, called Planned Parenthood’s announcement “audacious” in light of the fact that the 1849 law has not officially been repealed.“No court has ruled that it is not enforceable,” Appling said. “It is still illegal in most instances for anyone to do an abortion in Wisconsin. So what the governor and Planned Parenthood are doing is promoting an illegal activity. Unfortunately, this illegal activity is life-taking because it’s the intentional killing of an unborn child.”