News Coverage: Hearing in Blackmon v. State of Tennessee

News and media highlights about the April 4 hearing.

A hearing in a Tennessee state court in Nashville was held April 4 in Blackmon v. State of Tennessee, the Center for Reproductive Rights’ case brought on behalf of seven women denied abortion care and two physicians. The case challenges the medical necessity exception to Tennessee’s total abortion ban.

At the hearing, the Center’s attorneys urged the Court to block the abortion ban as it applies to dangerous pregnancy complications and lethal fetal conditions.

View media highlights and photos from the hearing below.

Read about the case.

Blackmon v. State of Tennessee

Case background, plaintiff stories, legal documents and more. Shown above: lead plaintiff Nicole Blackmon.

Media Highlights

“Court hears arguments to throw out Tennessee abortion lawsuit, block ban in part,” ABC News, 04.04.24
“Tennessee court weighs challenge to abortion ban’s narrow medical exception,” NBC News, 04.04.24
“Tennessee court hears case on medical exception rules for abortions,” NBC News, 04.04.24
“Seven women sue Tennessee after being denied medical exemption under state’s abortion ban,” NBC News, 04.04.24
“Tennessee court to weigh throwing out abortion ban challenge, blocking portions of the law,” AP News, 04.04.24
“Tennessee court weighs blocking abortion ban during pregnancy complications,” Reuters, 04.04.24
“Tennessee case: How narrow can a medical exception be in a state’s abortion ban?” NPR, 04.04.24
“‘Between the woman and her doctor’: Tennessee plaintiff speaks out on harm of state’s abortion ban,” MSNBC, 04.04.24
“Her abortion experience was ‘bizarre and painful’. Now she’s suing Tennessee,” The Guardian, 04.04.24
“Woman denied abortion for unviable birth hits out at ‘appalling and cruel’ attitude of Tennessee lawmakers,” The Independent, 04.05.24
“Tennessee women fight to block state’s abortion ban after being denied treatment for dangerous pregnancies,” The Independent, 04.04.24
“Tennessee Court to Hear Case Filed By Women Denied Abortions in Dire Situations,” Tennessee Tribune, 04.04.24
“Court hears challenge to Tennessee abortion ban for those with health risks,” The Tennessean, 04.04.24
“Three judge panel hears arguments over ‘unconstitutionally vague’ exceptions to abortion ban,” Tennessee Lookout, 04.05.24
“Tennessee Court Deliberate Over Possibility of Preventing Abortion Ban in Cases of Pregnancy Complications,” Parent Herald, 04.05.24
“Three-judge panel hears arguments in TN abortion exceptions lawsuit,” WKRN, 04.04.24

Photos from the April 4 Hearing

The case was brought on behalf of seven women denied abortion care and two physicians, including (from left) plaintiffs Allie Phillips, Dr. Heather Maune, Dr. Laura Andreson, Rachel Fulton, and Rebecca Milner. *—©Center for Reproductive Rights*

At the hearing, the Center’s Senior Counsel Linda Goldstein argued before a three-judge panel. *—©Center for Reproductive Rights*

Physician plaintiff Dr. Heather Maune claims the state’s abortion ban impedes her ability to offer her patients the medically indicated treatment in obstetric emergencies. *—©Center for Reproductive Rights*

Linda Goldstein and Marc Hearron, senior counsels at the Center, presented arguments at the hearing. *—©Center for Reproductive Rights*

Though plaintiff Rebecca Milner was able to travel out of state for abortion care, she needed emergency treatment for a sepsis infection due to the delay in care. *—©Center for Reproductive Rights*

The Center’s Senior Counsel Marc Hearron (L) and Senior Paralegal Jared Lindo at the hearing. *—©Center for Reproductive Rights*

Plaintiff Dr. Laura Andreson, an OB-GYN, believes the state’s ban impedes her ability to offer her patients the medically indicated treatment in obstetric emergencies. *—©Center for Reproductive Rights*

Although continuing her pregnancy put her life at risk, plaintiff Rachel Fulton was forced to seek abortion care out of state. She fears being pregnant again in Tennessee. *—©Center for Reproductive Rights*

Tags: Tennessee, tennessee abortion ban, Blackmon v. State of Tennessee, Blackmon v. Tennessee, blackmon v tennessee

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Read about the case.

Blackmon v. State of Tennessee

Media Highlights

Photos from the April 4 Hearing

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