Plans to offer second trimester abortions in downtown Madison have been scrapped. Nearly two years ago UW Hospital, the UW Medical Foundation, and Meriter Hospital approved plans to provide the controversial abortions at the Madison Surgery Center.
Pro-Life Wisconsin was among those who held protested, aired public service announcements and petitioned in opposition to the plans. The group applauds the decision to cancel the clinic.
“This really shows that pro-life grassroots activism works,” says Communications Director Virginia Zignego.
The only place in the state currently offering second trimester abortions is in Milwaukee. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin says it’s too far a distance as the procedure is used when a woman’s health is at risk.
“There is no other medical procedure that we expect patients to drive around the state or the region to access,” says Nicole Safar, Public Policy Advisor with PPAW.
Pro-life groups had circulated a letter from the state Justice Department in May which indicated that the UW abortions were scrapped. But the system said it remains committed to providing the procedure eventually. UW officials said Monday there will be no such clinic.