Planned Parenthood to resume abortion care at Sheboygan clinic

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin on Dec. 18 announced plans to resume abortion care at its Sheboygan health center beginning Dec. 28. 

The move comes after a Dane County Circuit Court judge ruled that a 19th-century state law that had been interpreted as banning abortion did not do so.

“As an obstetrician and gynecologist who has advocated for people to have improved access to full-scope reproductive care throughout my entire career, I am thrilled that abortion care is again available in Sheboygan,” Dr. Kristin Lyerly, an obstetrician and gynecologist who lives in Green Bay, Wisconsin, told the American Independent. 

“Now that the abortion ban has been deemed unenforceable here in Wisconsin, my sincere hope is that hospitals and clinics all across the state — where people need safe, accessible, and fundamental health care — will resume providing compassionate, comprehensive care for pregnant people in their own communities, surrounded by the support they need and deserve,” Lyerly added.

In September, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin resumed abortion care services at its clinics in Milwaukee and Madison. The organization cited a ruling by Dane County District Judge Diane Schlipper denying Sheboygan County District Attorney Joel Urmanski’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed in 2022 by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul just days after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. That suit challenged the state law; .Lyerly was a plaintiff in the suit. 

Lyerly told the American Independent in October that Urmanski had made it clear he would prosecute any physician who provided abortion care in Sheboygan. 

According to Wisconsin Public Radio, Matt Sande, the legislative director of Pro-Life Wisconsin, said he is hoping Urmanski will appeal Schlipper’s ruling on Dec. 5 reaffirming that the law, dating back to 1849, does not ban abortion care. 

According to a news release issued by Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, unlike the clinics in Milwaukee and Madison, the Sheboygan clinic will offer only medication abortion, in addition to family planning and reproductive health care services. 

“While we are grateful to be resuming medication abortion care at the Sheboygan Health Center, there is more to be done,” Tanya Atkinson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, said in an email to the American Independent. “We will continue essential work to help protect and expand reproductive freedom in Wisconsin so that everyone who needs comprehensive reproductive health care in our state can get the nonjudgmental and compassionate care they deserve.”