Wisconsin abortion rules in danger after SCOTUS Texas ruling: Gov. Walker speaks out

PEWAUKEE -- The United States Supreme Court on Monday, June 27th issued a major ruling -- striking down Texas' regulations requiring doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.

Supporters of the restrictions say they were necessary to protect women's health -- but in a 5-3 decision, the justices sided with clinics that had argued the regulations were a veiled attempt to make it more difficult for women to get abortions.

This was the high court's first major decision on abortion in two decades.

Supporters and opponents say the decision signals the end of a similar law in Wisconsin. That's because Wisconsin replicated the Texas law that the Supreme Court struck down Monday.

The laws aim to shut down abortion clinics by placing new restrictions on how they operate.

Tanya Atkinson with Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin

"The Supreme Court`s ruling today was a huge victory for women and families across the country," Tanya Atkinson with Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.

Leaders at Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin said the court's decision signals the end of Wisconsin's law.

In 2013, Wisconsin replicated the Texas rules -- requiring that doctors who perform abortions have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.

Governor Scott Walker

A federal appeals court has invalidated Wisconsin's rules.

"We`ll be following the rule of the law," Governor Scott Walker said.

Governor Walker said the Texas decision makes it unlikely that justices will uphold Wisconsin's law.

"We still think the core of the law that we have in Wisconsin will be upheld. The other portion that had previously been delayed in the appellate process very likely will be difficult to appeal because of that decision," Walker said.

Attorney General Brad Schimel would only say that he was "disappointed" by the Supreme Court's decision and expects a decision on Wisconsin's rules "very soon."

"The Supreme Court`s ruling was very clear -- that it should be physicians working with their patients to make these health care decisions and I would hope the legislature would pick up on that message from the Supreme Court and stop trying to legislate medicine," Atkinson said.

Wisconsin's law also requires a doctor to show the pregnant woman an ultrasound of her unborn child. That part of the law is still in effect.

CLICK HERE to read 2013 Act 37.