Obstetricians and Gynecologists will continue to support 21st century comprehensive reproductive health care, says ACOG District VI Legislative Chair.

GREEN BAY, WI - Today the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, a decision that guaranteed abortion as a right. Without the protections afforded by Roe, Wisconsin’s 1849 criminal abortion ban is now in effect and will alter the face of patient care and physician practice in a profound way. The 1849 law will ban abortion in nearly all cases, including in cases of rape and incest.

Wisconsin’s 1849 law had been unenforceable because of the protections afforded by Roe. Earlier this week Republicans in the Wisconsin State Legislature had an opportunity to repeal the 1849 Wisconsin law, in a Special Session called by Governor Evers. Republicans rejected doing so paving the way for the 1849 law to be in full effect. To put this into historical perspective, a total of 31,759 votes were cast in Wisconsin's gubernatorial election in 1849. The law was passed 14 years before the Emancipation Proclamation, and 71 years before women gained the right to vote.

We will continue to advocate at every possible level and by all available avenues to protect our patients’ bodily autonomy and right to make decisions about their own health, our physicians’ ability to provide the best possible evidence-based care, and the patient–physician relationship.

We must ensure support for 21st century comprehensive reproductive health care.

Dr. Kristin Lyerly
ACOG District VI Legislative Chair