ACLU files lawsuit against Arkansas for making abortion not available during coronavirus crisis

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Arkansas enforces a statewide ban on abortion services, noting that health facilities must be made available amidst coronavirus crisis.
• ACLU sues the state for imposing the ban, saying politicians use the outbreak to control abortion measures.
• Currently, six states have issued a banning order against abortion facilities to give way to the requirements of the health crisis.  

Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the state of Arkansas suspends its abortion services, and it is now facing a legal encounter because of its decision.

On Monday, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a motion to a district court to halt Arkansas’ move to cancel its abortion services, following the issuance of the state’s Department of Health of a cease and desist order to an abortion clinic in its territory.

The department said in its letter that the facility violated the state’s temporary suspension order of non-essential medical services by still operating abortion amenities, which deemed medically unnecessary on the patient’s life amidst the coronavirus crisis. 

State officials explained that the order is to align all medical resources to combat COVID-19; however, ACLU interprets the drive as another way of officials to control abortion services.

On a statement, legal director at the ACLU of Arkansas, Holly Dickson, said that the politicians from Arkansas have always tried to limit and prohibit abortion for a long time.

Dickson, who is also the interim executive director of ACLU, added that the current action by the state is not related to public health, but rather about the politicians capitalizing on the outbreak to violate the constitution and expand their agenda.

As of date, a total of six states are now on a legal battle following their actions to suspend abortion procedures for being a non-essential medical service during the health crisis.   

Abortion providers in Texas have requested the U.S. Supreme Court to injunct the state’s temporary stoppage on almost all types of related procedures.

Since the legalization of abortion by the landmark Roe v Wade around 50 years ago, this was the only time the service was not made available.

In Arkansas, Little Rock Family Planning Services is the only health center that has surgical abortion services.

According to court papers, the other surgical abortion facility is still 600 miles away – in Shreveport, Alabama.

In their complaint filed on Monday, ACLU said several patients of Little Rock Family Planned Services will not be able to travel that far and might be forced to go on with their condition, or worse, may seek an unsanctioned alternative to terminate their pregnancy.

Other court documents also showed Little Rock is supposed to accommodate 20 patients this week’s surgical abortion procedure.  Should the ban remain, the said patients then have to wait until the coronavirus crisis is over, or to endure a long trip to travel to another state to take care of their pregnancy concern. 

Currently, Arkansas does not impose a stay at home order, among other few states in the U.S.

The Arkansas Attorney General’s Office is yet to respond on the matter.

Source: CBS News