From WisPolitics.com/WisBusiness.com …
— A group of Republicans are circulating a bill that would clarify miscarriage-related procedures, cesarean sections and early induction do not legally count as abortions.
LRB-0966/1 would also clarify that the removal of a miscarriage or an ectopic, an embryonic or molar pregnancy, which results in injury to or death of the woman’s unborn child does not count as an abortion, as long as the doctor makes a reasonable effort to preserve the life of the child.
The bill authors in the cosponsorship memo noted there has been some concern about the ambiguity in Wisconsin’s abortion law, arguing “erroneous claims” have been made by some who say doctors won’t perform certain procedures due to fear of prosecution.
“This false narrative only serves to create fear and disseminate misinformation, both in the public and professional spheres,” they wrote. “To ensure doctors fully understand the issue and to counter misinformation spread by bad actors, we need to clearly define what does not constitute an abortion.”
A Wisconsin woman in 2022 bled for more than 10 days after she miscarried and the hospital she first visited refused to perform a dilation and curettage to remove tissue from her uterus or give her medication, citing uncertainty about the state’s abortion law.
— Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin says it is pausing abortion services at clinics Oct. 1 while considering options under new restrictions imposed by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Donald Trump.
The legislation implemented a one-year ban on all federal funding to organizations that provide abortion services and receive more than $800,000 in Medicaid reimbursements. Planned Parenthood has been fighting the provision legally, but a federal appeals court lifted an injunction earlier this month, clearing the way for the restriction to take effect.
Tanya Atkinson, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, said late yesterday it will “continue to provide the full spectrum of reproductive health care—including abortion—as soon and as we are able to.” She said the organization is continuing to pursue “every single option.”
“To the patients who count on us: we are here for you. To our staff and supporters: thank you for standing with us. We remain dedicated to care—no matter what,” she said.
Planned Parenthood clinics in Madison, Milwaukee and Sheboygan provide abortion. The Sheboygan clinic only provides medical abortions, while the other two also perform surgical abortions.
Separately, there are two other clinics in Milwaukee that perform the procedure.
It is the second time over the last several years that Planned Parenthood has halted performing abortions in Wisconsin. Three years ago, it did so after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a 1973 ruling that had guaranteed the right to an abortion. That’s because of an 1849 law that took effect again after that ruling was overturned. The organization resumed abortion services again after that 1849 law was challenged and eventually overturned by the state Supreme Court.
The organization noted the legal situation was fluid and ongoing litigation may again change what it is allowed to do.
In a WisPolitics report last month on the possible impact of the federal law, anti-abortion activists hailed the provisions included in the legislation that Trump signed. Matt Sande, of Pro-Life Wisconsin, said the provisions were a win for Wisconsinites, arguing that taxpayers do not want to fund abortions even in an indirect capacity.
— UW-Green Bay and Mental Health America Lakeshore announced a new addiction recovery certificate in response to rising drug and alcohol addiction.
The university notes opioid fatalities have risen twentyfold in the last 15 years and alcohol-induced deaths have grown by 142% in the last 20 years. The new certificate program is designed to combat those numbers by arming professionals and allies with the tools to foster resilience, reduce stigma and promote pathways to healing, according to the release.
Courses are online and open for enrollment, with both a professional version that takes 10 hours to complete and an “ally” version for friends and family that takes four hours.
“By offering accessible, high-quality training, the program helps strengthen the workforce, supports individuals on their recovery journey and ensures more people have the compassionate, informed care they deserve,” Julie Preder, executive director at MHA-Lakeshore, said.
The science of addiction, trauma-informed care, co-occurring disorders, relapse prevention, and the impact of digital addiction and social isolation are all included in the course.
See the release.
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