Today the Supreme Court issued its decision in Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, the case involving a challenge to a New Hampshire abortion law that included no exception to protect a woman’s health. In a 9-0 decision, written by Justice O’Connor, the Court ruled that under the Court’s past precedents, the New Hampshire law is unconstitutional because it fails to ensure the protection of women’s health, but it sent the case back to the lower courts to reconsider the breadth of the injunction that had been issued striking down the law in its entirety.
This is what NWLC Co-President Marcia Greenberger had to say about the Court’s ruling:
“In a fitting tribute to the legacy of Sandra Day O’Connor, a unanimous Supreme Court agreed not to revisit its abortion precedents – ‘today.’ A woman’s right to choose is safe for the moment. But what remains of great concern is what would happen if and when the Supreme Court decides to revisit Roe v. Wade in the future.
“The Supreme Court restated the longstanding requirement under Roe v. Wade that a barrier to abortion that endangers a woman’s health is unconstitutional. This protection is crucial for women’s health and safety.
“We fear what will happen if -- as envisioned by Judge Alito -- a reconstituted Supreme Court, without Sandra Day O’Connor, does decide to revisit its past precedents protecting women’s right to choose.”
