Lawsuit Challengin
MADISON, Wisc., July 5, 2013
/Christian Newswire/ -- Today, Governor Walker signed Senate Bill 206
(Sonya's Law) into law. This important new law requires that women
seeking abortions in Wisconsin be given the opportunity to see their
unborn children through ultrasound. The type of ultrasound used is
determined by the woman after all options are explained to her. Sonya's
Law also requires that an abortionist have admitting privileges at a
hospital within 30 miles of the abortion clinic. "We thank Governor Walker for signing this important piece of legislation into law," said Armacost. "Sonya's Law will empower women to make truly informed decisions regarding how they will proceed with their pregnancies and will protect the lives of women who experience complications after their abortions."
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin and Affiliated Medical Services announced that they will file a federal lawsuit challenging the law.
"The announcement of an impending lawsuit is no surprise to anyone," said Susan Armacost, Legislative Director of Wisconsin Right to Life. "It appears that the court challenge will focus on the hospital admitting privileges requirement. Apparently, Wisconsin's abortion clinics don't believe their abortionists need to have hospital privileges at a hospital located within 30 miles of their clinic...or anywhere at all. Currently, when a woman experiences hemorrhaging or other life-threatening complications after an abortion in Wisconsin, the clinic puts her in an ambulance and sends her to a hospital ALONE where she is left to her own devices to explain her medical issues to the emergency room staff. The abortionist who performed the abortion is nowhere to be seen. This deplorable situation must change."
Armacost said the new law is on sound constitutional footing. Nine other states have passed laws requiring abortion doctors to have hospital admitting privileges. Missouri's admitting privilege law was challenged and upheld by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
