Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin challenges state’s pro-life laws

The regional affiliate of the national abortion giant on Thursday filed a lawsuit challenging two pro-life laws in Wisconsin that it says violates women’s rights to personal liberty and bodily autonomy. The case calls unconstitutional the requirement for women to wait 24 hours to receive an abortion following an in-person appointment, as well as the requirement that only licensed physicians may provide abortions. After the state Supreme Court last year overturned a more than 170-year-old state law that criminalized abortion, Wisconsin now only protects unborn babies after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Planned Parenthood temporarily stopped offering abortions in Wisconsin after the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and again for a few months last year when the federal government prevented abortion groups from receiving Medicaid funding.

What is the ultimate goal of the lawsuit? President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Wisconsin Tanya Atkinson in a video statement claimed the state constitution protects individuals’ right to make personal decisions about their reproductive healthcare. A spokesperson for the organization told Wisconsin Public Radio that the group is seeking a permanent constitutional right to abortion. Meanwhile, a coalition of Republican state lawmakers have condemned the lawsuit, arguing it was an attempt to circumvent the Legislature’s authority.

Dig deeper: Read my report on how pro-life groups responded after federal Medicaid dollars were once again flowing to abortion providers.