By KITANA GULOTTA
FemCo, BPHI, and the College Dems collaborated to bring experts to talk about reproductive rights, healthcare, and law. The discussion, featuring representatives from the Wisconsin State Assembly, Planned Parenthood and SSM Health, left me with a mix of fear, anger, and resilience. The conversations shed light on some of the most urgent issues regarding reproductive rights in our state but also reminded us about the importance of the upcoming Supreme Court election.
Some takeaways from the discussion were the role of crisis pregnancy centers in spreading misinformation about reproductive healthcare. According to Representative Subeck, these centers are designed to mislead people, particularly those seeking an abortion, into believing they are seeking services from medical professionals when, in fact, they are operated by anti-abortion groups. These centers often manipulate patients by providing false information about the risks of abortion and persuade them against pursuing abortion as an option. Subeck explained that her and other colleagues have been trying to draft legislation to govern these entities, but it has been challenging.
In Wisconsin, there are only four abortion clinics remaining. While this is better than some states, it’s far from enough, especially when you consider the barriers to access that many face. Molly Lancelot explained how the Appleton clinic closed for safety after a gunman targeted an abortion clinic in another state, prompting a reevaluation of security. Molly also discussed how abortion clinics typically need to own their properties, as landlords don’t want to rent because they want to avoid protestors, which further complicates access. As a result, traveling to clinics becomes difficult and expensive.
One very interesting but disheartening piece of information I learned was that currently, Wisconsin law requires a 24-hour waiting period before a person can undergo an abortion. This means that after the first consultation, the patient must return to the clinic for the procedure itself. The first visit typically involves counseling and an ultrasound, and the second visit is for the actual abortion, whether it’s a medication abortion or a surgical procedure. This requirement is especially burdensome for people who live far from clinics. Many people have to travel long distances to access care. For some, it could be impossible to make these two trips. Additionally, the waiting period forces people to prolong their decision-making process. It’s designed to discourage people from proceeding with their abortion, but for many, it only adds stress and uncertainty to an already difficult situation. The second visit also requires the patient to see an ultrasound, even if they don’t want to, and a government script must be read to them.
One of the most chilling parts of the discussion was about the 1849 abortion law. This law would immediately outlaw abortion in Wisconsin if it is reinstated. Under this law, physicians would risk felony charges and the loss of their licenses if they provided abortion care. Not only would it eliminate access to safe, legal abortions, but it would also endanger women’s lives. Under the law’s life-saving exemption, doctors would need two physicians to sign off before they could perform an abortion, even if the patient’s life was at risk. This could lead to delays in care, resulting in tragic situations like the one experienced by a woman in Texas, who was forced to wait until she was near death before she could access life-saving treatment.
The panel made it clear that if Brad Schimel, a Republican candidate, is elected, it will be devastating for reproductive rights in Wisconsin. On the other hand, Susan Crawford wants to preserve access to abortion and reproductive healthcare. Subeck says, “Susan Crawford has made it clear she understands the importance of freedom to make our own healthcare decisions.”
The panel discussed many more important topics but these are just a few examples if you were unable to attend. Listening to this panel made me feel fearful about the uncertain future. The reality is that our votes will determine the future of reproductive healthcare in Wisconsin. We must stand up for the right to make decisions about our own bodies. We need leaders who will advocate for us, and we need to make our voices heard in the upcoming Supreme Court election. Thank you to FemCo, BPHI, the College Dems, and all the panelists for an enlightening discussion.
Featured Image: Motion Array
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