RELEASE: Sen. Karen Carter Peterson Statement on June Medical Services v. Russo Ruling

Sen. Karen Carter Peterson Statement on June Medical Services v. Russo Supreme Court Ruling

BATON ROUGE, LA – Monday, the Supreme Court ruled against a Louisiana law that would require doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. 

In 2014, Louisiana passed a law requiring physicians who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the clinic. If passed, this law would have closed the doors of all but one Louisiana abortion provider. Admitting privileges are medically unnecessary because abortion is among the safest medical procedures. 

“Today, the Supreme Court defended a woman’s right to receive reproductive health care without unconstitutional barriers restricting their access,” Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, Chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party said. “While people in my own party fall on different sides of this issue, it’s clear that the Court saw this admitting requirement for what it is: red tape aimed at closing clinics and pushing abortion out of reach.

“The argument to require admitting privileges was a transparent attack on Roe v. Wade under the guise of protecting women’s health, even while more invasive procedures don’t require admitting privileges.

“Protecting women’s health means defending and expanding their access to health care, not putting more obstacles in their way. I will always stand with women, and I’ll never stop fighting against attempts to restrict their access to quality, affordable, reproductive care. Because health care is a right, and that right should be accessible and available to all.”