A new lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union contends that the state can’t stop “advanced practice clinicians” — like nurse practitioners — from performing abortions in Arizona.
In 2024, Arizona voters enshrined broad abortion rights in the state constitution.
The case is one of a series of lawsuits challenging specific abortion restrictions in state law before the amendment went into effect.
The ACLU argues a law that says only certain doctors can perform abortions is illegal because the amendment protects residents’ “fundamental right to abortion” before fetal viability.
The Arizona Board of Nursing determined in 2008 that nurses can perform abortions.
Lawmakers responded by removing the board’s authority to decide who is qualified for the procedure.
But the ACLU argues there’s no legitimate medical reason for that.
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Planned Parenthood Arizona clinics are once again providing care for patients insured through Medicaid. Services for Medicaid patients had been on pause since September. -
Arizona voters added abortion protections to the state’s constitution two years ago, but reproductive rights advocates say their fight is far from over. -
Prescribing abortion medications via telehealth was previously banned by a state law. But a court ruling in February voided that, and several other abortion regulations in Arizona. -
The case involves state laws that ban certain advanced practice clinicians like specially trained nurse practitioners from providing abortion services — something they’ve historically done. -
The Trump administration has launched an online resource hub for new and expectant mothers. The majority of pregnancy centers that the website recommends in Arizona do not offer abortion services.
