In June 2016, the Supreme Court issued an opinion in the case of Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt. The case concerned HB2, a bipartisan Texas law that ensures common sense health and safety standards for abortion clinics. In a 5-3 decision, the Supreme Court overturned the decision of the Fifth Circuit decision to uphold the law.

What does this mean for Nebraska?

In recent legislative sessions, Nebraska State Senators have considered a bill that would have required clinics in Nebraska to be Ambulatory Surgical Centers (Legislative Bill 114). Unfortunately, today’s decision means that Senators will be hesitant to reconsider this type of common sense legislation in our state again.


This was the biggest abortion case in 25 years. Unfortunately the Supreme Court abandoned women in Nebraska and across the country to substandard care.


What’s controversial about protecting women’s health?

HB2 required abortion facilities to meet the same basic health and safety standards as other kinds of ambulatory surgical centers (i.e. wide enough hallways and doors for gurneys and staff with emergency medical training). It also required that abortionists have admitting privileges at a local hospital in the event a woman must seek hospital care due to post-abortion complications.

>> Abortion Numbers in Nebraska Continue to Drop

Opponents of these bills claim that these requirements effectively shut down abortion clinics and decrease women’s access to abortion. But should inferior care be subsidized in order to make it easier for abortion clinics to stay in business?

Women deserve better. Abortionists and abortion facilities should be held to the same basic standards of care that we expect in other surgical centers in the country

What are Nebraska Leaders are Saying?

Governor Pete Ricketts

Ricketts Facebook

Senator Ben Sasse:

The Supreme Court’s ruling is a disappointment for millions of pro-life Americans who understand that being pro-life is about protecting babies and their mothers. Both sides of the abortion debate should have been able to agree that sanitary conditions and hospital admitting privileges are not controversial.

Senator Deb Fischer

Fischer Tweet

 

Congressman Jeff Fortenberry

Fortenberry Tweet

Congressman Adrian Smith

Smith Tweet

Al Riskowski, Executive Director of Nebraska Family Alliance

The Supreme Court decision today is disappointing, to say the least. Commonsense regulations on abortion clinics save lives – what could be more important than that? Nebraska Family Alliance will continue the fight to protect them both – mothers and babies.

 

Nebraska Family Alliance
Nebraska Family Alliance exists to advance family, freedom and life by influencing policy, mobilizing prayer, and empowering people.
Nebraska Family Alliance

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