by LaTonya Johnson
In one of the most consequential weeks for women’s health since its ruling on Roe v. Wade more than forty years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court last week strongly reaffirmed the constitutional right of women across the country to make their own health choices and access safe reproductive health care.
The landmark decision in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt struck down some of the most restrictive anti-abortion measures in the country. These politically motivated restrictions made it nearly impossible for Texans to exercise their full reproductive rights. I’m so pleased that the Court upheld every woman’s right to safe, legal abortion, no matter where she lives.
The next day the court rejected Wisconsin’s appeal to revive a law restricting access to safe and legal reproductive health services signed by Governor Walker. It should now be crystal clear to politicians who think they know better than women and their doctors that reviving Wisconsin’s unconstitutional attack on women’s health is a non-starter.
But our fight is far from over. In Wisconsin, in Texas, and across the country, a woman’s constitutional right to make her own health decisions is under attack. In the first three months of 2016, states have introduced more than 400 measures restricting access to abortion.
We’ve also seen a concerted, persistent attack on women’s health and rights at the federal level. This week’s decision is a reminder of how much is at stake in this election.
This is exactly why we must elect Hillary Clinton.
We need a president who will defend women’s health and rights and appoint Supreme Court justices who recognize Roe v. Wade as the law of the land. We must continue to protect access to safe and legal abortion.
Hillary has been a lifelong champion for women’s health and reproductive rights. She believes that women should make their health decisions with her family, her faith, and the counsel of a doctor. As a senator, she led the charge to stop the Bush administration from restricting over-the-counter access to Plan B emergency contraception for millions of women. She’s called for an end to laws like the Hyde Amendment that make it harder for low income women to access abortion.
She will stand up to attempts to defund Planned Parenthood – a great organization that is providing health care services like cancer screenings and contraception to women right here in Wisconsin, in addition to safe, legal abortion.
Donald Trump believes there should be “some form of punishment” for women who have abortions. He has promised to defund Planned Parenthood, even if that means shutting down the government. And he has pledged to appoint Supreme Court justices that would overturn Roe v. Wade.
Our next president could appoint as many as three or four justices in the next four years. If we send Trump to the White House and a Republican majority to Congress, he could achieve any—or all—of these things.
And that’s why this election is so important. The outcome of November’s contests, from the presidency to state legislatures, is going to be a deciding factor in whether our elected officials and our courts defend or attack a woman’s right to health care for generations to come.
The stakes are too high for Wisconsin women and their families. We cannot afford a Donald Trump presidency.