A federal court judge lifts restrictions on North Carolina’s abortion ban, boosting access to reproductive healthcare.
In a groundbreaking decision, District Judge Catherine Eagles grants a preliminary injunction to Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, rendering certain provisions of the abortion ban unenforceable. These specific provisions, which required documentation of an intrauterine pregnancy and mandated surgical abortions to be performed exclusively in hospitals after twelve weeks, have been deemed unconstitutional by the court.
Judge Eagles states, “Having demonstrated that the Act poses a direct threat to constitutional rights, the plaintiffs have also shown irreparable harm. Therefore, I find it necessary to grant the preliminary injunction.” This ruling follows her temporary block of the law’s requirement for doctors to document a pregnancy in the uterus back in June. The 12-week ban was signed into law earlier this year.
Expressing delight at the decision, Jenny Black, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, declares, “We will relentlessly fight to ensure that access to healthcare remains unimpeded in North Carolina. This ruling acknowledges the fact that abortion is an essential form of medical care, and it reinforces our commitment to provide safe, compassionate, and evidence-based care to as many patients as possible.”
Black adds, “Planned Parenthood South Atlantic will continue supporting every patient through the unjust confines of this law. We encourage anyone in need of abortion care to reach out to us without delay.”
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, who is listed as a defendant in the case, welcomes the ruling and criticizes the anti-abortion law for being “sloppily written.” He emphasizes, “Decisions regarding reproductive healthcare should reside with women, not politicians. I will persistently champion women’s freedom and fight for their rights.”
Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, numerous states have passed restrictive abortion bans or limitations. Recent data from the Guttmacher Institute reveals a significant increase in legal abortions in states bordering those with anti-abortion laws in force, compared to the same period in 2020.
The Hill has reached out to North Carolina State Senator Phil Berger for comment on this development.
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