Solicitor General Liz
Murrill to present oral argument, fight for State’s right to protect health and
safety of women
BATON ROUGE, LA – Tomorrow, Louisiana Attorney General
Jeff Landry’s Office will appear before the United States Supreme Court in June
Medical Group vs. Russo. Solicitor General Liz Murrill will present oral
argument in defense of Act 620, a bipartisan 2014 law that requires doctors who
perform abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.
Here’s what you need to know about the law and the case:
- Louisiana
Act 620 is not Texas H.B. 2, and June Medical Services vs. Russo is
not Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt; our facts, our evidence,
and our generally applicable medical regulations are all different.
- Louisiana’s law does not force clinic closures.
- Louisiana abortion providers are able to obtain
admitting privileges – if they provide competent care.
- Louisiana did not single out abortion providers.
- Louisiana provided abundant state-specific evidence of
the purpose and the benefits of admitting privileges.
- Louisiana did not impose criminal penalties against
providers or women.
- Louisiana
Act 620 was bipartisan legislation, led by women. Authored by
Representative Katrina Jackson (Democrat, Monroe) and carried by Senator
Regina Barrow (Democrat, Baton Rouge), the bill passed both legislative
bodies nearly unanimously (88-5 in the House and 34-3 in the Senate).
- Louisiana
Act 620 is a reasonable, common-sense safety measure. It is necessary
because Louisiana abortion providers have a long, documented history of
medical malpractice, disciplinary actions, and violations of health and
safety standards.
- In
September 2018, a three judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals
for the Fifth Circuit distinguished Louisiana Act 620 from Texas H.B. 2,
which was struck down by the United States Supreme Court in June 2016.
- In January 2019, by a 9-6 vote, the Fifth Circuit
preserved the previous ruling in Louisiana’s favor.
- In October 2019, the United States Supreme Court agreed to consider the merits of Louisiana’s pro-woman admitting privileges law and Louisiana’s challenge to the third-party standing of abortion providers to bring these types of challenges in the first place.
“Louisiana abortion providers have a record of
non-compliance with basic safety regulations, and now they want a special
exemption from generally-accepted medical standards that apply to similar
surgical procedures in our State,” said General Landry. “Women seeking
abortions deserve better than that; they should have the same assurance of
prompt and proper care in the event of complications.”
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To learn more, please visit www.AGJeffLandry.com/ProtectWomen.