Planned Parenthood sues Montana over new abortion laws

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By IRIS SAMUELS

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Planned Parenthood of Montana filed a lawsuit Monday seeking to block four new laws restricting access to abortion in the state.

The laws are set to take effect Oct. 1. They would ban abortion after 20 weeks of gestations; restrict access to abortion pills; require abortion providers to ask patients if they would like to view an ultrasound; and prohibit insurance plans that cover abortion procedures from being offered on the federal exchange.

The lawsuit filed in Yellowstone District Court claims the laws violate Montana’s constitution, which protects access to abortion before the fetus is viable, generally at 24 weeks gestation. It says the laws will reduce the number of locations where abortion services are offered and will threaten abortion providers with civil and criminal penalties.

The laws were passed earlier this year by the Republican-dominated Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Greg Gianforte, who last November became Montana’s first Republican governor in 16 years. His Democratic predecessors blocked previous attempts to limit abortion access.



FILE - In this April 26, 2021, file photo, Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signs a bill as bill sponsor Rep. Lola Sheldon-Galloway, R-Great Falls, looks on. Planned Parenthood of Montana has filed a lawsuit seeking to block four new laws restricting access to abortion in the state before they take effect. The laws are set to take effect Oct. 1. One would ban abortion after 20 weeks of gestations. Another would restrict access to medication abortion and ban access to medication abortion through telehealth. The lawsuit filed in Yellowstone District Court on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021 claims the laws violate Montana’s constitution. (Thom Bridge/Independent Record via AP, File)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/health-abortion-laws-montana-planned-parenthood-92274e5af2f373b9a1fae952e2c4367c

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Damn these republicans!

The sanctity of life. Oh sure.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. Just the sanctity of SOME lives.

[Lonestarblue]

4. Funny how the sanctity of life turns into freedom of personal choice when it comes to being

vaccinated and wearing a mask to prevent deaths. As usual, Republicans care a lot more about a potential child than they do living people, including real children.

[Archae]

3. Looking at the photo in the OP...

I was reminded of a George Carlin line, "Ever notice the people who are so dead-set against abortion, are people you'd never want to fuck in the first place?"

[Gregory Peccary]

6. IMO, that's the greatest opening line in the history of stand-up.

A stunning one liner that set the tone for the rest of the show.

[cstanleytech]

5. Not a fan of abortion but I am a fan of personal choice

and I am sick and tired of Republican politicians trying to force their own choices on people.

[AllaN01Bear]

7. how do these laws balance budget ,pay for roads , etc , oops they are republicans .

they dont give a hoot hoot hoot about that .

[paleotn]

8. Is it me or does Rep. Lola Sheldon Galloway...

look like a cast member of The Handmaid's Tale? Aunt Lola?

[iluvtennis]

9. None of the women sponsors in the photo are of child bearing age - but want to dictate what

young women do with their bodies.

As the rethugs say wrt the COVID vaccine, "My body, my choice".

[2naSalit]

10. Another...

skinheaded billionaire doing his thing.

[BradAllison]

11. All the women appear 20 years past menopause

And the men shouldn't be fucking anyone.