Gov. Brownback’s Call for Investigation of Reproductive Healthcare Providers Is Pure Harassment

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (July 23, 2015) – Earlier this week, Gov. Sam Brownback called for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment as well as the Kansas Board of Healing Arts to investigate allegations related to tissue donation programs operated by reproductive healthcare providers.

The following statement on the governor’s action may be attributed to Micah Kubic, Executive Director of the ACLU of Kansas:

“Gov. Brownback’s action this week is only the most recent example in a decades-long campaign of pure harassment and intimidation of reproductive healthcare providers. Time and time again, courts and the American people have reaffirmed that a woman has the right to make decisions about her own healthcare. Time and time again, extremists have refused to recognize that right – instead choosing to harass women and doctors, intimidate those who dare to exercise their constitutional rights, and launch a never-ending parade of restrictions on the decisions a woman can make about her own healthcare.

Gov. Brownback has opted to launch an “investigation” based on heavily edited videos that have no connection to Kansas doctors, Kansas clinics, or how reproductive healthcare is provided in the state. Such transparent harassment of women and doctors should be deeply distressing to all Kansans.”

The ACLU of Kansas is the statewide affiliate of the national American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU of Kansas is dedicated to preserving and advancing the civil rights and legal freedoms guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. For more information, please contact Micah Kubic at (816) 994-3314 or visit our website at www.aclukansas.org.