Two states have decided to outlaw legal abortion as the Supreme Court considers a case that could potentially overturn Roe v. Wade.
This week, South Dakota became the second state to stop abortions at least temporarily, following Oklahoma, Life News reports.
South Dakota's sole Planned Parenthood abortion clinic has closed while the organization waits for the Supreme Court to release its decision.
Emily Bisek, vice president of strategic communications for the Planned Parenthood North Central States, said the clinic could still help patients with birth control, IUDs and family planning, but no abortions are being scheduled.
"We can't in good faith schedule patients for abortions when they would have to go out of state anyway," Bisek told the Argus Leader on Wednesday afternoon. Bisek also noted that because of laws already set in South Dakota, it takes multiple appointments to get an abortion.
The first state to ban abortion was Oklahoma. In May, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed into a law an abortion ban that outlaws all abortions with few exceptions, such as to save the life of a pregnant woman or if the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest.
"I promised Oklahomans that as governor, I would sign every piece of pro-life legislation that came across my desk, and I am proud to keep that promise today," the first-term Republican said in a statement.
"From the moment life begins at conception is when we have a responsibility as human beings to do everything we can to protect that baby's life and the life of the mother. That is what I believe, and that is what the majority of Oklahomans believe."
According to the New York Times, Missouri's only abortion clinic is booked but not accepting new appointments, and Wisconsin's clinics are not scheduling abortions for after June.
The new laws follow a leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court showing that the justices are considering overturning Roe v. Wade.
Related:
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Michael Thomas/Stringer
Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.
