June 2016
The Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation (UUWF) is very pleased with and heartened by the decision today by the nation’s highest court in the Whole Woman’s Health V. Hellerstedt case.
The Supreme Court today struck down a Texas law designed to shut down most of the state’s abortion clinics with medically unnecessary restrictions. In a majority 5-3 vote, SCOTUS held that the new requirements around hospital admitting privileges and surgical center regulations have caused an impermissible obstacle and undue burden on the rights of women seeking abortions.
Today’s landmark ruling in Whole Woman’s Health V. Hellerstedt ensures that existing clinics can remain open and will enable more clinics to open their doors in Texas, where the 2013 law had forced more than half of the 40-plus clinics operating before its enactment to close.
We join with our faith partners in the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) in celebrating that the Supreme Court again has recognized the legal validity of reproductive freedom. We share values that teach compassion for the complex choices each individual may confront and the impact of these choices on families.
“On this momentous day and epic victory for reproductive rights, we reaffirm our foundational commitments to the inherent worth and dignity of each person, the right of individual conscience, and the personal right to choose in regard to abortion as an important aspect of these rights,” said Dr. Kirstie Lewis, President of UUWF.
“This effort to impede health care providers and block women, especially low income women, seeking safe and legal abortion has been turned back. We will remain vigilant in the face of others.”