Black Community News News and Commentary for Christians
Last year, Texas governor Rick Perry signed into law a bill that bars abortion after 20 weeks, toughens requirements for drug-induced abortions, and requires Texas abortion doctors to get admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of their clinic.
The admitting privileges requirement especially impacted abortion clinics in the state. A lower court struck down the provisions, but a U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit panel issued a stay pending appeal. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case in November.
Yesterday, the Fifth Circuit upheld the requirement. The court also upheld a provision that bars doctors from performing drug-induced abortions beyond seven weeks.
“The people of Texas have spoken through their elected leaders and in support of protecting the culture of life in our state,” Governor Perry said. “Today’s court decision is good news for Texas women and the unborn, and we will continue to fight for the protection of life and women’s health in Texas.”
Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards, who said her three children’s lives began when she delivered them, claims that the state’s common sense restrictions on killing unborn babies “will force women to have abortions later in pregnancy, if they are able to get to a doctor at all.”
Photo credit: Texas Governor Rick Perry (Creative Commons)
