We must applaud the consciousness and compassion of the health-care providers and professionals who took initiative in making sure abortion services remain available and accessible to women in South Central Wisconsin. We must also thank Meriter Hospital and the UW Medical Foundation for already voting to provide second-trimester abortion care at their Madison Surgery Center.
The final vote of the UW Hospital and Clinic's Authority Board is scheduled for this Wednesday. As a community, we must urge the vote in support of women's health and safety. Only 1 percent of abortions in Wisconsin happen after the 20th week of pregnancy; however, the accessibility of this procedure is crucial. Ninety-seven percent of rural counties in the United States have no abortion provider, therefore women are already traveling, taking days off work, finding childcare and a place to stay when they are vulnerable and making one of the most difficult decisions of their lives. Let's ensure that this procedure can take place as close to home as possible, in a safe medical setting like our very own Madison Surgery Center.
- Sara Eskrich
Senior, UW-Madison
Majors- Political Science and Gender and Women's Studies
