OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A divided Oklahoma Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down part of a nearly state-wide abortion ban that ruled women have the right to an abortion when the pregnancy threatens their health, not just in a medical emergency.
The court ruled that a woman has the right under the state Constitution to receive an abortion to preserve her life if a doctor determines that continuing the pregnancy would be dangerous because of a condition that may have occurred during pregnancy. Previously, the right to abortion could only be exercised in cases of medical emergency.
However, the court declined to determine whether the state Constitution grants abortion rights for other reasons.
The court voted 5-4 on the ruling in a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood and others challenging the state law enacted after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade legalized abortion.
“People’s lives have been threatened by Oklahoma’s cruel abortion ban, and now doctors will be able to help pregnant women whose lives are at risk,” said Nancy Northup, President and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, in a statement after the ruling. “We are disappointed that the Court declined to rule that the state Constitution also protects the right to abortion outside of these circumstances.”