Alabama anti-abortion law's impact on Arizona's abortion laws
PHOENIX (FOX 10) -- With abortion laws taking center stage across the nation, those on both sides of the sensitive topic in the Valley area speaking out.
Planned Parenthood Arizona is suing the state over three abortion laws, and the issue is gaining even more steam, after Alabama's governor signed a bill to nearly ban all abortions.
So, what's next for Arizona?
"This is just a coordinated attempt, I think, among legislatures in red states to try and get the Supreme Court to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision," said Jodi Liggett with Planned Parenthood.
In Arizona, Liggett said there are already several obstacles in front of women trying to get abortions.
"And what we do have are really insidious laws," said Liggett. "24 hour waiting period, a ban on nurse practictioners providing abortion, a ban on telemedicine for medication abortion, and these things work together to really put that service out of reach for huge parts of our state."
Liggett said these regulations block women from crucial resources, especially in non-metro counties and small towns across Arizona.
"If you're a mother of two children in rural Northern Arizona, those requirements taken together will make it impossible for you to access abortion," said Liggett.
Abortion advocates vow to fight back, but on the other side of the spectrum, there are pro-life supporters like State Rep. Walter Blackman.
"I don't see where folks can really compromise on that," said State Rep. Blackman.
In reaction to Alabama's abortion law, State Rep. Blackman said it's about time and much-needed momentum for Arizona.
"Alabama, of course, took a big leap, and we need to do it in increments," said State Rep. Blackman. "So, we're talking about, for minors, I think, there should be a 48-hour waiting period. Parents should be notified if its a minor. When we're talking about cases of incest and rape, those things need to be examined."
Down the road, State Rep. Blackman said the landmark ruling known as Roe v. Wade could be overturned.
"It's time that the court look at it again and kind of figure out where we need to go from here," said State Rep. Blackman.
The Roe v. Wade decision from 1973 is now nearly 50 years old. The ruling allowed states to make their own abortion laws, which some pro-life senators say was based off of whether or not the baby in the womb is a person.