Sen. Kelda Roys and Rep. Lisa Subeck introduce the Abortion Rights Preservation Act

 

Madison - Today, on the 48th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Sen. Roys (D-26) and Rep. Subeck (D-78), and their legislative colleagues, introduced the Abortion Rights Preservation Act (ARPA). The Abortion Rights Preservation Act repeals Wisconsin’s archaic 1849 law that criminalizes abortion. While the statute is currently unenforceable due to Roe v. Wade, this bill is necessary to ensure that Wisconsin women maintain control of their own bodies, health, and lives regardless of the political makeup of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Sen. Kelda Roys: “When abortion is illegal, women die. Abortion is basic healthcare that approximately 1 in 4 American women will need in her lifetime. For nearly 50 years we have been able to determine our own futures, thanks to the reproductive freedom guaranteed by Roe v. Wade. Unfortunately, constant efforts to undermine women’s rights and health and pack courts with right-wing ideologues may well lead to the end of Roe. If that happens, abortion will become a felony in Wisconsin. We will not go back to back alley abortions and let doctors be branded as criminals.” 

Rep. Lisa Subeck:  "Providing abortion services is health care, not criminal activity. As the current makeup of the US Supreme Court threatens the future of Roe v. Wade, it is time to repeal Wisconsin's archaic criminal abortion ban. The Abortion Rights Preservation Act would preserve the rights of Wisconsin women to make personal health care decisions without interference from politicians, no matter what.”

Tamara Thompson, Co-Director of Maroon Calabash and Co-Founder of Harambee Village: “I firmly believe that no state should be given authority to criminalize bodily autonomy, and that our collective civic duty is to repeal unjust laws. The power rightfully belongs to the pregnant people.

Dr. Amanda Schmehil, Obstetrician/Gynecologist: “Wisconsin women need and deserve comprehensive reproductive health care -- care that is between a woman and her physician that is not subject to interference from outside political forces.”

Sara Finger, Founder & Executive Director of the Wisconsin Alliance for Women’s Health: "Wisconsin’s archaic law is not reflective of the medical advances we have made in the past 170 years and does not respect patients or put their healthcare needs first. We need our legislators to repeal this patriarchal 1849 law to ensure doctors can provide the best care and patients continue to have the right to make their own healthcare decisions”.

Mike Murray, Executive Director Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin: "With the six-justice conservative supermajority composition of the US Supreme Court and the fact that there are 17 cases potentially impacting abortion access that are that one step away from the Supreme Court, the threat to abortion access is real. Now is the time to protect safe, legal abortion in Wisconsin by passing laws like the Abortion Rights Preservation Act. Abortion is health care, and we believe everyone should be able to access the health care that they need without fear, shame or stigma."

 

 

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