Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin challenges restrictive abortion laws in new suit

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, along with several nurse practitioners and a physician, filed suit against the state's Medical Examining Board and district attorneys, challenging two statutes: one making it a felony for anyone but a physician to perform an abortion, and another requiring a 24-hour waiting period with in-person counseling. The 41-page complaint argues both violate the Wisconsin Constitution's guarantees of liberty and equal protection.

The plaintiffs argue the physician-only rule blocks qualified nurse practitioners and physician assistants from providing care within their training, citing one nurse, Natalee Hartwig, who already performs abortions legally in Illinois and has delivered 300-400 babies in her career. Planned Parenthood also contends the waiting period singles out abortion patients for a burden not imposed on those continuing a pregnancy.

The suit follows the Wisconsin Supreme Court's July 2025 decision striking down the state's dormant 1849 abortion ban, a ruling that drew a 49-page dissent from the court's conservative justices. Planned Parenthood is asking the court to permanently block enforcement of both remaining statutes.

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