C. Oregon groups speak out on Supreme Court abortion ruling

It’s being called the most important ruling on abortion rights since Roe v. Wade in 1973.

Planned Parenthood, whose supporters say it’s a cornerstone for women’s health, is saying the U.S. Supreme Court ruling Monday striking down parts of a Texas law is about protecting women’s rights.

“Today was an enormous win for women that the Supreme Court recognizes that TRAP (Targeted Regulated Abortion Providers) laws do not protect patients but they punish woman access to safe and legal abortions,” Planned Parenthood Regional Health Center Manager Tricia Wilder said.

The Supreme Court on Monday struck down some of the nation’s toughest restrictions on abortions.

The Texas law passed in 2013 called for clinics like Planned Parenthood to meet the same standards as surgical centers and required doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.

Retired OB-GYN Dr. Richard Thorn, a pro-life advocate, said the Texas law added a safety net for women’s health.

“The decision today has literally has kicked that women’s issue out the door,” Thorn said.

Thorn said he has performed emergency surgeries when abortions go wrong.

“We’re basically saying that the safety of women has now been jeopardized, and so they taken and legalized abortion — but now they’ve legalized botched abortions,” Thorn said.

But officials with Planned Parenthood said abortion is a safe medical procedure, and that fewer than 0.3 percent of women undergoing legal abortion procedures sustain a serious complication.

The organization also said patient safety and care is their top priority.

“Abortion is already one of the most heavy regulated and safest medical procedures in the U.S.,” Wilder said.

Wilder said Oregon lawmakers introduced five bills, one of which would have shut down nearly every abortion provider in the state. She said lawmakers in Salem need to do more when it comes to women’s health.

“We need to protect women’s constitutional rights to safe and legal access to abortion,” she said, “and we need to repeal the laws when they’re restricting access.”