Supreme Court Blocks Parts of Texas Abortion Law
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zimmytws/iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Supreme Court blocked key aspects of a Texas law that would have closed all but a number of the state’s abortion clinics.
The court overturned a circuit court ruling that allowed the state to require abortion clinics to meet the same standards as ambulatory surgical centers, and also vacated an order that required doctors performing abortions at clinics in McAllen and El Paso to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. The original law was heavily criticized, in part because it would have forced most of the state’s abortion clinics to close their doors.
In August, a district court rejected parts of the original law, a ruling that was overturned by the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court’s decision allows abortion clinics to remain open during the appeals process, the New York Times says.
Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito said that they would have allowed the law to be enforced.
“Our entire Whole Woman’s Health team is bruised and battered from this year of battle, but tonight we all know in our hearts and minds that it has been worth it,” said Amy Hagstrom Miller, CEO of Whole Woman’s Health, the company that brought the appeal to the Supreme Court.
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