For Immediate Release:
Media Contact: Andrea Gage
414-213-3717 (cell)

PPAWI Calls on Ziegler to Preserve Rights of Women
Pending cases could determine future access to birth control, reproductive health care

Madison, WI- Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin (PPAWI) is calling on Annette Ziegler, who won last night’s race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, to pledge that she will respect a woman’s constitutional right to make her own reproductive health care decisions and will maintain women’s rights in our state.

 

“Women’s health care is at a critical juncture in this state, and that is why we must have a Supreme Court justice who is dedicated to ensuring that each individual’s rights are protected,” said PPAWI Vice President of Public Affairs Lisa Boyce

 

There are two pending cases that could determine whether women have continued access to reproductive health care. The first is here in Wisconsin, where Neil Noesen, the pharmacist who refused to fill and transfer a woman’s birth control prescription, has appealed the Pharmacy Examining Board’s disciplinary ruling. This case may very likely end up in the Wisconsin Supreme Court, making the court extremely important in protecting patient access to prescription medications and prohibiting refusals by pharmacists.

 

The second case is Gonzales v. Planned Parenthood. If the U.S. Supreme Court decides in that case that abortion restrictions do not have to contain a health exception, Wisconsin will likely see attempts to pass dangerous new abortion restrictions lacking health exceptions. These attempts may then have to be litigated in state courts. Without health exceptions in our state law, a Wisconsin woman could face the terrifying possibility of finding her health in danger and having absolutely no options to protect her well-being.

 

“As a justice, it will be Annette Ziegler’s duty to ensure justice for the women of this state. That is why we urge Annette Ziegler to demonstrate compassion and fairness toward all Wisconsin citizens if these cases come before her,” said Boyce.

 

 

 

###

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin is the advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI). The mission of PPWI is to empower all individuals to manage their sexual and reproductive health through direct services, education, and advocacy.  http://www.ppawi.org