Planned Parenthood calls Roe v. Wade decision ‘devastating’

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Planned Parenthood North Central States said Friday’s Supreme Court decision to overrule Roe v. Wade was “devastating.”

The court also ruled 6-3 on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, upholding a Mississippi law that bans all abortions past 15 weeks, with very few medical exceptions.

See also: In a historic decision, Supreme Court overturns Roe. v. Wade after 50 years

CEO Sarah Stoesz spoke about what the decision means for Planned Parenthood and women across the country.

“Because women are no longer able to make their own decisions in many states about their health and well-being, this represents a grave violation of human rights and also human dignity,” she said.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sara Traxler said the decision could lead to more health complications for women, especially for those in states where abortions are now outlawed.

“These are not decisions that should lie with politicians; these are decisions that are medical and should be made by medical professionals in concern with their patients,” Traxler said.  “We are going to be faced with a public health emergency.”

Right now, there is no law outlawing abortion in Nebraska.

Gov. Pete Ricketts has said he may call a special legislative session to work on the matter, but nothing is official yet.

Ricketts said at an event on Friday that he and Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers would need to discuss before calling the special session.

“In Nebraska, abortion is safe and legal, fortunately, but we anticipate that the governor calls a special session so politicians can call on abortion there,” Stoesz said.  “We will continue to fight that very, very hard in Nebraska.”

See also: Nebraska officials react to Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade