Congressional Pro-Choice Leaders Praise Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Anti-Choice Law in June Medical Services v. Russo

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Pro-Choice Caucus Chairs Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in June Medical Services v. Russo to overturn the Louisiana law requiring physicians who provide abortion care to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of a clinic. This law is identical to the Texas state law overturned 4 years ago in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt.

“Today’s decision reaffirms what we already know – that abortion care is a human right.

“This law was a clear attempt by anti-choice politicians to legislate abortion care out of existence, effectively banning abortion without ever having to touch Roe v. Wade. Make no mistake: this law, like the Texas law before it, does not make patients safer – it only pushes access to care out of reach for patients who need it the most.

“While we have won today, this close decision highlights how important it is to enshrine Roe v. Wade into law. That’s why Congress needs to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act to preserve the right to abortion care.”