Abortion advocates are asking a North Carolina court to overturn abortion regulations in the state but an attorney fighting the groups says The Tar Heel State is protecting women, not just regulating abortion.
The ACLU, the ACLU of North Carolina, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and the Center for Reproductive Rights are representing abortion providers and activists in the state who oppose
state laws that, for example, prohibit telemedicine abortions; require a 72-hour informed-consent period; and regulate abortion clinic safety codes.
Attorneys for Alliance Defending Freedom have filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit on behalf of the state’s Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
ADF attorney Denise Harle says the abortion laws are protecting women with “common sense” health and safety protections, such as requiring that only a licensed doctor can perform abortions in the state.
"Every woman deserves to know about her options during an unexpected pregnancy,” Harle insists, “and every woman deserves health and safety.”
The lawsuit is Planned Parenthood South Atlantic v. Moore. It was filed in North Carolina Superior Court.
"This is a really important case because it brings in the fundamental question of how states can protect the well-being of their citizens," Harle says. "That includes the pregnant mothers in this state, as well as the unborn babies in the state, and it also implicates the extent in which states can make sure the medical profession is fairly regulated."