Supreme Court Decision on Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt Devalues Women's Safety, says FRC

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Jun 27, 2016, 10:42 ET

WASHINGTON, June 27, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Supreme Court announced its 5-3 decision in Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, striking down Texas' H.B. 2 commonsense regulation and enforcement of basic health standards in abortion facilities. The Texas law required that abortion facilities be held to the same standard as surgical centers and that abortionists must have admitting privileges at a local hospital not further than thirty miles from the abortion facility.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement:

"The Supreme Court's decision to strike down H.B. 2 undermines the health and safety of vulnerable women. This decision is a loss for women and gives the abortion industry a free pass. The need to regulate abortion facilities is necessary to protect women against cut-and-run abortionists at shoddy abortion facilities. Mandating basic and necessary health and safety standards such as trained staff, corridors that could accommodate a stretcher in case of emergency, admitting privileges to a hospital, and up-to-date fire, sanitation, and safety codes should be beyond the politics of abortion. When abortion facilities are not held to the same standards as other facilities, women's lives are endangered. In 2011 alone, 26,500 women experienced abortion-related complications, and close to 3,200 women required post-abortion hospitalization. Hair and nail salons, public pools, restaurants, and tanning centers must meet basic health and safety standards—shouldn't abortion facilities? Abortion facilities cannot be exempt from following basic health standards.

"While the need to protect the health and safety of women failed to remain at the forefront of the Supreme Court's decision, we will continue our work to protect women and children from the predatory abortion industry," Perkins concluded.

FRC's Arina Grossu, Director of the Center for Human Dignity, released the following statement:

"One cannot be pro-woman and stand for the substandard facilities that many abortion centers operate which risk women's lives. Striking down abortion facility regulations leaves the door open for continued and rampant disregard for women's health and safety. Status-quo is not good enough," concluded Grossu.

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SOURCE Family Research Council