FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 29, 2020
CONTACT
Manisha Sunil, West End Strategy Team
msunil@westendstrategy.com; Phone: 202-417-0171
Supreme Court Protects Americans’ Ability to Make Healthcare Decisions Consistent with Personal Beliefs
WASHINGTON — Today, the Supreme Court issued a decision in June Medical Services, LLC v. Russo, finding that Act 620 unduly burdens Louisianans’ constitutional right to make private healthcare decisions. Katy Joseph, director of policy & advocacy at Interfaith Alliance, said:
“Today’s decision is a victory for religious and reproductive freedom. Religious traditions approach pregnancy and parenting in a myriad of different ways, with clergy and other people of faith at the forefront of this movement for decades. We joined many in an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to protect the ability of all Louisianians to make reproductive healthcare decisions consistent with their own beliefs and circumstances.
As our nation grapples with an unprecedented public health crisis, some have callously tried to link abortion access to COVID-19 status – knowing full well that testing opportunities are incredibly limited in many areas. This strategy is not new. In Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, reaffirmed today, the Court held that targeted regulation of abortion provider (TRAP) laws are an unconstitutional undue burden on the right to abortion. These laws often disproportionately impact poor, rural, and minority communities – the very groups that are bearing the brunt of this pandemic.
“Today’s decision does not address the profound social and structural inequities that place true reproductive and religious freedom out of reach for so many. We celebrate this moment, with the recognition that it is more important than ever to ensure that healthcare decisions are between a patient and their doctor, according to their own beliefs and needs.”
If you would like to speak with Katy Joseph further, please contact Manisha Sunil at msunil@westendstrategy.com or (202) 417-0171.
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Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.