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Wisconsin Planned Parenthoods End Medication Abortions

A Wisconsin state law that went into effect on Friday has prompted Planned Parenthood clinics in the state to stop providing non-surgical abortions. Governor Scott Walker signed the law, “The Coercive and Web Cam Abortion Prevention Act” earlier this month. The law requires women seeking non-surgical abortions to visit the same doctor three times before the procedure. It also makes doctors responsible for determining that women have not been coerced into an abortion. Additionally, it prohibits the use of web cams during medication abortions.

The law imposes criminal penalties on doctors who fail to meet the requirements. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin President and CEO Teri Huyck said, “The added risks of felony penalties for physicians who provide medication abortion are unnecessary and intended to threaten a physician’s ability to provide women with medication abortion. The decision to end a pregnancy is a complex one, specific to each woman and her individual circumstances. Decisions about childbearing should be made by a woman in consultation with her family and doctor – not by politicians.”

Nearly a quarter of abortions in Wisconsin are medication abortions. Planned Parenthood clinics in Wisconsin will still provide surgical abortions.

Associated Press 4/21/12; Reuters 4/21/12

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