Today, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) signed a bill into law that could ban abortion before most people even know they are pregnant. As a similar law in Mississippi has been blocked, it is unlikely this ban will legally be able to go into effect.
Dr. Valerie Williams, ob/gyn in Louisiana and Board Member with Physicians for Reproductive Health, issued the following statement:
“Today, Gov. Edwards, the political leader deemed with protecting the interests of the families of Louisiana, signed a bill that would make necessary health care unavailable for the people I care for each and every day. First, let me be clear that abortion is health care, and clinics will remain open as we fight to ensure this law does not go into effect.
“A ban on abortion care after six-weeks, like all abortion bans, is unethical and immoral.”
“A ban on abortion care after six-weeks, like all abortion bans, is unethical and immoral. As a physician, I pride myself on being able to give the women and families I serve all of their medically available options when considering a pregnancy. This law would not only take away an option, it would threaten those health care providers practicing the full scope of reproductive health care with years in prison.
“Louisianans deserve better. When given access to abortion, women’s health outcomes and economic security improves. Contrarily, when bans like these go into effect, people of color, people with lower incomes, immigrants, those in rural areas, and the LGBTQIA community suffer most. Why can’t Gov. Edwards focus his efforts on advancing the health and wellbeing of all of his constituents instead of taking away their health care options?”
