East Twin Cities

Minnesota Republican Glenn Gruenhagen has joined dozens of fellow Republicans who want abortions in Minnesota cancelled during the coronavirus freeze of non-essential medical services.

Gov. Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-09 on March 19 to free up hospital facilities for coronavirus patients. The order postponed all elective surgeries and procedures “that can be delayed without risk” statewide. 

Gruenhagen insists that abortions are non-essential, “elective” procedures. 

“For the safety and health of the public during this time of ongoing crisis, we ask that you ensure that the governor’s policy applies to the practice of abortion no less than to other elective procedures,” the Republicans’ protest letter to Gov. Walz said.

Gruenhagen said on Facebook that “there is no reason that Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers should be exempt from the governor’s order.” He said that resources such as PPE masks and gowns are needed to protect healthcare providers who are working with coronavirus patients. 

“Abortion procedures use up these precious PPE resources and put doctors and nurses at risk,” Gruenhagen said.

Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, an anti-abortion group, has joined the Republicans in protesting the abortion exception. 

“There is no medical justification for singling out abortion for special treatment at the expense of patient safety and the safety of those dealing with this crisis,” MCCL Executive Director Scott Fischbach told the Star-Tribune.

Two associations representing obstetricians and gynecologists have supported the governor’s designation. 

“Abortion is a time-sensitive service for which a delay of several weeks, or in some cases days, may increase the risks or potentially make it completely inaccessible," the groups wrote in a joint statement. 

Gruenhagen disagreed. 

“The procedure should not be allowed to continue when other medical services, including surgeries and some cancer treatments, are cancelled,” Gruenhagen said.