Well-supported legislation introduced by Louisiana Rep. Katrina Jackson (Dem.) that requires abortionists to have admitting privileges at a hospital would likely cause closure of most abortion clinics in the state. Also, the South Carolina legislature is about to restrict abortions beyond 19 weeks gestation. And in Texas, over the past several months, the number of licensed abortion providers has dropped from 40 to 28 -- the number of abortion clinics is expected to be only six by September, down from 44 in 2011.
For background, read Abortion Clinic Closings Set Record; Admit Defeat as well as Abortionists Lament Ever-greater State Limits
UPDATE 10/4/14: Most Texas Abortion Clinics Now Closed by Court
UPDATE 7/26/14: Texas Abortion Rate Plunges, Liberals Blame Clinic Closures
-- From "House health committee backs new abortion rules" by Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press 3/19/14
Jackson and supporters of her legislation said the bill would hold abortion clinics to the same standards required of ambulatory surgical centers.
Jackson's bill also would force women who take the abortion pill to meet the same 24-hour waiting period and ultrasound requirements as women who have surgical abortions. It wouldn't apply to emergency contraceptives, known as the "morning-after pill."
Unlike in other states, the issue doesn't divide Republicans and Democrats. Democratic lawmakers on the House committee spoke in favor of the bill.
The House Health and Welfare Committee advanced the proposal Wednesday without objection. It heads next to the House floor for debate and is expected to win passage there in a Legislature that has repeatedly supported tougher rules for abortion providers.
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From "Controversial abortion bill advances in Louisiana Legislature" posted at WWL-AM/FM (Kenner, LA) 3/20/14
[The bill] has the support of Louisiana Department Health and Hospitals.
Secretary Kathy Kliebert says, "There are clear health risks associated with an abortion that could require urgent medical attention. These include pelvic infections, blood clots and other serious complications like perforation of the uterine wall."
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From "[South Carolina] House Approves Banning Abortion Beyond 19 Weeks" by Seanna Adcox, Associated Press 3/19/14
The bill approved 84-29 on Wednesday is one of several anti-abortion measures being debated this year. Another perfunctory vote will send it to the Senate.
Clinics in South Carolina don't provide abortions beyond 19 weeks. Opponents of Rep. Wendy Nanney's bill say such late-term abortions occur in hospitals, generally in wanted pregnancies that go horribly wrong, and politicians should have no role in such decisions.
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From "S.C. House passes 20-week abortion ban" by Jeremy Borden, Charleston Post Courier 3/19/14
The bill, H. 4223, known as a "fetal pain" measure, passed on a largely party line vote, 84-29. Republicans said the state is showing its respect for human life, especially because they said fetuses can feel pain at 20 weeks, a disputed notion in the medical community.
Rep. Wendy Nanney, R-Greenville, the bill's primary sponsor, said in an interview that politics had nothing to do with it. "I've always been pro-life," she said. As for critics, she said, "I would rather err on the side of protecting that baby from pain."
The Legislature is considering a host of anti-abortion bills this year. Lawmakers say that as the House bill makes it way to the S.C. Senate, it may have the best chance of passing of any of those measures.
If a woman is on the verge of organ failure or death, the bill provides an exception in those case, House members said.
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From "South Carolina lawmakers advance 20-week abortion ban" by Harriet McLeod, Reuters 3/19/14
Doctors performing an abortion of a fetus at 20 weeks or less would also be required to try to deliver it alive.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where if approved and then signed by Republican Governor Nikki Haley, South Carolina would become the 13th state to enact the ban, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a nonprofit sexual health research organization.
Similar measures and legislation are also pending in West Virginia and Mississippi.
"We had over 60 studies introduced to us in committee that (showed) they do feel pain. And the state has a right to step in and protect that child," said Representative Wendy Nanney.
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From "The Impact of HB 2 on Texas Abortion Facilities" by Becca Aaronson, The Texas Tribune 3/19/14
Researchers with the Texas Policy Evaluation Project at the University of Texas said the number of providers still performing abortions in Texas is even lower than the number of licensed providers, because the Planned Parenthood clinic in Waco, while licensed, is no longer performs the procedure. Also, Whole Woman's Health operates two separately licensed facilities at the same location in San Antonio, a clinic and ambulatory surgical center. In August, only 34 of the licensed providers were still performing abortions, said the researchers.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Abortionists can't handle new health standards" by Bob Unruh, World Net Daily 3/10/14
Last year, 87 abortion facilities discontinued offering surgical abortions, and this year a similarly significant decline is developing.
Both sides attribute the closures to new state laws requiring that abortionists have admitting privileges to a local hospital, should an emergency occur.
According to the Washington Times, 19 clinics in Texas, including two already this month, that have closed because of new regulations.
The report said a similar law in Mississippi has put the future of the state’s only abortion clinic in doubt as court proceedings continue. Closures also have occurred in Florida, Alabama and other states.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Planned Parenthood President Asks, Who Cares When Life Begins?
UPDATE 5/23/14: CBS News reports on clinic closings
