Trust Women: Supreme Court Strikes Down Louisiana Law That Prevented Women from Accessing Abortion Care

Decision holds admitting privilege law to be unconstitutional

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 29, 2020

CONTACT: Laura Swinford, laura@gpsimpact.com

WICHITA — The Supreme Court, in June Medical Services v. Russo, struck down a Louisiana law requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles, which effectively eliminated access to abortion care and harmed patients’ health. The decision, consistent with the precedent established in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt in 2016, affirmed that admitting privileges laws are unconstitutional because they shut down clinics without providing any health or safety benefits to patients.

Julie Burkhart, founder and CEO of Trust Women, which operates clinics providing abortion care in Wichita and Oklahoma City, made the following statement in response to today’s ruling:

“We are relieved the Supreme Court struck down another politically-motivated attempt to shut down clinics and deny people access to abortion care. Four years ago, the Supreme Court held admitting privilege laws like this to be unconstitutional, but Louisiana chose to defy that precedent.

Today’s decision is a victory, but this fight is far from over. For decades, state and federal politicians have been working relentlessly to destroy access to abortion — state by state, law by law. We know this harmful crusade to ban abortion won’t end here, and it’s up to all of us to continue to fight back — not only in the courts, but in our state capitols and in our communities.

However, one thing will never change: Trust Women will be here — no matter what — to provide our clients with accessible, compassionate abortion care, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay. We will continue to fight for laws that ensure all women can make their own decisions about their health care. And we will win.”