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Supreme Court Decision on Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood Leaves Court Unclear on Future of Women’s Rights and Health
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 23, 2006 CONTACT: Rebecca Wiegand (o) 202-965-7700 (m) 202-427-7450 WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Supreme Court decision last Wednesdy in Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England underscores the potential threat of the high court failing to uphold the rights, health, and choices of women in the United States. The nine justices unanimously sent the case back to the lower court without declaring the New Hampshire law unconstitutional despite the fact that the law does not provide an exception for the endangerment of a woman’s health. Although retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor suggested that the lower court amend the law to take into account the health of women, the court took no position that requires the lower court to do so, thereby leaving women of the region at risk. The Court’s decision does not maintain long-held precedents protecting a woman’s health, privacy, and rights, but rather leaves future cases open to review of these rights under more conservative leadership. The Ayotte decision highlights the need for leadership on the Supreme Court that respects precedent that states a woman’s health, rights, and choices are a fundamental right in the Constitution. It also underscores the grave threat to these fundamental rights if Samuel Alito, who has expressed his view that the Constitution does not protect the right to abortion, is confirmed to the Court. # # #
Choice USA mobilizes and provides ongoing support to the diverse, upcoming generation of leaders who promote and protect reproductive choice both now and in the future. We are dedicated to the right of each person worldwide to decide when and if they will have sex, when and if they will be pregnant, and when and if they will have a child. In order to make those personal decisions, accurate information and safe, legal reproductive health services must be available to everyone.
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