Planned Parenthood Halts Abortions in 7 Arizona Locations
Planned Parenthood has ceased to perform abortions in seven locations throughout the state of Arizona, thanks to the courts upholding a pro-life law recently, according to LifeNews.com.
Earlier this year the Arizona Court of Appeal issued a decision upholding a pro-life law that protects the health and safety of women and their unborn children by providing them with information that they did not normally receive in the past.
The law, called the Abortion Consent Act, was signed by Gov. Jan Brewer, and informs women of the risks associated with and alternatives to abortion. Planned Parenthood sued the state of Arizona shortly after its signing and the law was initially blocked from taking effect by a Superior Court judge.
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The pro-life law, which requires a notarized parental signature before a minor can have an abortion, and provides women with accurate information by a doctor in person at least 24 hours before an abortion, will now take effect in the state of Arizona.
It also protects the religious rights of medical professionals by not forcing them to perform abortions if it contradicts their beliefs.
In response to the law taking effect, Planned Parenthood announced on Thursday that it will no longer be performing abortions in seven locations, including communities outside of Phoenix and Tucson.
Bryan Howard, the president of Planned Parenthood, told Arizona Republic newspaper that the abortion business would be appealing the court’s decision.
However, for now he claims the organization has no choice but to cease abortions until and unless another court rules, because the laws are currently in effect.
According to April 2011 figures from the FDA, the RU 486 abortion drug has killed dozens of women and injured 2,200 in the United States.
Planned Parenthood has administered this drug to women looking to terminate their pregnancy, and also performs surgical abortions in its locations, according to Howard.
According to LifeNews.com, the Arizona Court of Appeals upheld the Abortion Consent Act on appeal after it was enjoined by Judge Daughton, a Maricopa Superior Court Judge following a Planned Parenthood lawsuit. A 3-0 opinion vacated the injunction in its entirely.
“The Court acknowledged the Legislature’s right to pass legislation to protect the health and safety of women considering abortion,” said Deborah Sheasby, a member of The Center for Arizona Policy’s Legal Counsel, a statewide pro-life group who drafted the Abortion Consent Act to LifeNews.com. “This is a major victory for Arizona women.”
