Abortion Ban Lawsuit

Lawsuit Against Tennessee’s Abortion Ban Grows with Additional Plaintiffs

The Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) has announced the inclusion of four more women in their lawsuit challenging Tennessee’s abortion ban. These new plaintiffs, Kathryn Archer, Monica Kelly, Rebecca Milner, and Rachel Fulton, join the existing three women in the Blackmon v. State of Tennessee case, which was filed in September.

Tennessee’s abortion ban allows exceptions for endangerment to the pregnant person’s life, preservation of their health, or nonviability of the fetus. However, CRR argues that in practice, obtaining emergency abortion care remains uncertain, contributing to heightened anxiety for pregnant individuals like Kathryn Archer and Monica Kelly. Both are currently pregnant and due to give birth in May and June, respectively.

The legal challenge emphasizes the difficulties faced by these women during their previous pregnancies, where they were denied emergency abortion care in Tennessee.

Rebecca Milner, another plaintiff, experienced complications during her pregnancy, leading to preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Despite eventually obtaining an emergency abortion in Virginia, she developed sepsis upon returning to Tennessee, highlighting the potential life-threatening consequences of delays in receiving care.

Rachel Fulton, the fourth additional plaintiff, had to travel to Illinois for emergency care after learning her fetus had severe conditions. Fulton expressed her fears about being pregnant again in Tennessee, echoing the sentiments of many women who fear the restrictive environment.

The lawsuit aims to challenge the impact of Tennessee’s abortion ban on women’s health, safety, and lives, asserting that the vague application of exceptions leaves pregnant individuals in a state of uncertainty. The growing number of plaintiffs underscores the urgency and importance of addressing the challenges posed by restrictive abortion laws.

_{Repurposed article originally published in Jezebel}