Planned Parenthood protects and defends women's access to a full range of reproductive health care, including abortion services. Decisions about childbearing should be made by women, their families, and their doctors — not by politicians. In order to make an informed decision, women need access to all reproductive health care options and should have the right to obtain safe, legal abortion services without interference from the government.

Planned Parenthood works to protect every woman’s right to make her own decisions about childbearing. Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973—which guaranteed a woman’s right to abortion--continuous attacks by anti-choice organizations have eroded access. These opponents of women’s health attempt to make the complex, personal decision to end a pregnancy more difficult, and even dangerous. Examples of these restrictions include:

• Abortion Bans: On April 18^th, 2007 the Supreme Court upheld the Federal Abortion Ban which criminalizes safe, medically appropriate abortion procedures without an exception to protect woman’s health. This is a serious setback for women's health and safety. This ruling tells women that politicians, not doctors, will make important health care decisions for them.

• Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP): Many states impose a variety of burdensome requirements on abortion providers that are not imposed on other health care providers. These requirements may include additional licensing, restrictions on the qualified personnel that may provide abortion services, and mandating unnecessary procedures/protocols.

• Parental Notice/Consent Requirements: 37 states have dangerous laws that force doctors to notify or obtain the consent of a parent when a teen seeks abortion care. Of course, all parents want to be involved in their teen’s lives—and the good news is that most are—but these laws are especially dangerous for teens that can’t go to their parents with something as sensitive as unplanned pregnancy. All young women should have access to safe, professional medical care and counseling without delay.

Planned Parenthood fights anti-choice extremism at the local, state and federal level. Our volunteers fill the in-boxes of legislators with messages opposing laws that would restrict women’s access to safe healthcare. Our staff lobbies all levels of government for common-sense policies that prevent unplanned pregnancy and the need for abortion. And our activists take to the streets when politicians intrude on a woman’s ability to make her own decisions about when to have a child.