Appeals Court Blocks Most Extreme and Dangerous Abortion Ban in the Nation

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PHOENIX – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit today blocked the most extreme abortion ban in the country.

The Arizona law, which was upheld last week by a district court, was challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Arizona and the Center for Reproductive Rights on behalf of three physicians and their patients.

The law criminalizes virtually all abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and contains only narrow exceptions for medical emergencies. The ban would have forced a physician caring for a woman with a high-risk pregnancy to wait until her condition poses an immediate threat of death or major medical damage before offering her the care she needs. The ban also contains no exceptions for a woman who is told her fetus will not survive after birth.

“We are relieved that the court blocked this dangerous ban and that women in Arizona will continue to be able to get safe, appropriate medical care,” said Alexa Kolbi-Molinas, staff attorney with the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project. “Abortion is a serious, personal decision that should be made by a woman, her family and her doctor – not by politicians.”

More information on this case can be found at www.aclu.org/reproductive-freedom/isaacson-v-horne