On June 27 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Whole Woman’s Health in the case of Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, striking two provisions of a Texas law put in place for the safety of women and babies.
One of the provisions of the law—known as H.B. 2—required abortion centers to meet ambulatory surgical center standards. The other provision required abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at hospitals within 30 miles of where the abortion takes place.
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These protective measures were passed by the Texas legislature in 2013 in response to the murder conviction of abortionist Kermit Gosnell. Gosnell was found guilty of first-degree murder of killing babies who were born alive in his clinic.
“I’m not surprised that the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the state of Texas’ regulations on abortion … but I am disappointed,” said Franklin Graham on his Facebook page of the ruling.
“In the absence of the more conservative Justice Scalia, rulings are going the other way. This is another example of how critical the positions of Supreme Court Justices are to our country.”
In the ruling, the court cited its own precedents, explaining that states may “insure maximum safety for the patient” (Roe v. Wade). However, the court also cited that the states must not “place a substantial obstacle in the path of a woman’s choice” or “impose an undue burden on the right” to an abortion (Planned Parenthood v. Casey).
Many Christian leaders—including Graham—are urging American citizens (particularly the church) to consider the impact the next president of the United States will have on cases that protect the lives of unborn babies and the health of the mothers.
“Remember, the next president we elect will appoint one justice immediately, and then be able to possibly appoint up to five more during his or her term,” Graham wrote.
“Those appointments are of paramount importance to the future of this country. We need judges who will consider God’s laws and His Word—He is the ultimate Judge for each one of us and for the nation.”
