Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Legal Experts Expect Texas Abortion Ruling Will Push High Court To Provide Clarity
The New York Times: Texas Ruling On Abortion Leads To Call For Clarity
For more than two decades, courts have struggled with a fuzzy legal standard set by the Supreme Court for judging abortion laws: When does a rule governing doctors or clinics or medical procedures become an unconstitutional “undue burden” on a woman’s right to an abortion? Now, after a federal appeals court decision on Tuesday that could force many of Texas’ remaining abortion clinics to close for good, many legal experts are hoping the Supreme Court will be forced to provide some clarity. (Eckholm 6/10)
The Dallas Morning News: Federal Court Ruling Could Close Half Of Texas' Abortion Clinics
A federal appeals court upheld a Texas law Tuesday that could force more than half of the state’s remaining abortion clinics to close and make it more difficult for women to end a pregnancy. If the law goes into effect, the number of state abortion facilities is expected to drop from 17 to seven that meet its requirements. The remaining clinics are in the Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and San Antonio areas. (Martin, 6/10)
The Chicago Tribune: Renewed Fight Expected Over Indiana Abortion Clinic Rules
Indiana's push to place tougher restrictions on a Lafayette Planned Parenthood clinic that provides abortions only by using drugs, not surgery, could spark a new court fight under a revised law set to take effect in July. The Republican-dominated Legislature this spring approved changes to a blocked 2013 law that would have required the Lafayette clinic to meet the same standards as surgical abortion clinics by adding a recovery room and surgical equipment and making other upgrades even though it doesn't perform surgical abortions. (6/10)
And in Florida -
Miami Herald: Gov. Rick Scott Signs 24-Hour Abortion Wait Period, Utility Company Reforms
Diving into an issue that continues to polarize the country, Gov. Rick Scott signed into law a requirement that Florida women visit a doctor and wait at least 24 hours before having an abortion. Though it won widespread support in the Republican-controlled Legislature, the issue was one of the most emotionally-charged questions tackled in the spring session. Word of its passage was quick to trigger passionate defense among pro-life supporters along with raising the ire of pro-choice activists. (Auslen, 6/10)
