The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Wednesday released a decision protecting reproductive freedom and affirming Wisconsinites continue to have access to abortion care in a challenge brought by Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Kaul. The news comes in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade three years ago — a decision that effectively forced Wisconsin to operate under a near-complete abortion ban.
“Today’s decision affirms that access to reproductive health care will continue to be available, helping ensure Wisconsin women today are not forced to face firsthand what it’s like to live in a state that bans nearly all abortions, even in cases of rape and incest,” said Evers. “Today is a win for women and families, a win for health care professionals who want to provide medically accurate care to their patients, and a win for basic freedoms in Wisconsin, but our work is not over.”
Dr. Melinda Brennan, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Wisconsin, also issued a statement today following the decision.
“We have been waiting for this moment since the United States Supreme Court overturned our constitutional right and generational expectation to abortion in 2021. … Even though that right was restored by lower courts, the fact that the Wisconsin Supreme Court has now rendered the criminal abortion ban unenforceable means Wisconsinites no longer have to fear the archaic 1849 ban could go back into effect.
“With the ban struck down, Wisconsin is a more free and more just place to live. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to back down. The political attacks on reproductive justice will not slow down, and we must remain vigilant to make sure everyone who can get pregnant has access to the full range of reproductive healthcare, no matter where in the state they live.”
