This morning, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that strikesdown Louisiana’s dangerous abortion restriction. This is a tremendous victory for women’s legal rights.

The case, June Medical Services vs. Russo, addressed a 2014 Louisiana law that required all doctors who perform abortion in that state to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. This is a non-medically necessary requirement that imposes significant barriers to access and would have forced all but one provider in Louisiana to close.

Decided along a 5-4 vote, with Chief Justice Roberts joining the four liberal judges, this is the first case addressing abortion since the composition of the court changed with the appointments of Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh. Many advocates, including CWLC, have been watching this case closely. Although the court struck down a nearly identical case from Texas in 2016, it was unclear how this more conservative court would rule. While today’s news is very welcome, it is also a reminder that the margin of votes is razor thin when it comes to protecting a woman’s legal right to abortion.

We will remain vigilant and engaged in future courtroom battles, but today we will celebrate this great news for women in Louisiana and across the nation!