Texas Abortion Law Challenged In Federal Court
Reproductive rights groups in Texas filed a federal lawsuit Friday that aims to block parts of a new law targeting abortion clinics.
The lawsuit was jointly filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Plaintiffs argue that the new law severely restricts women's access to safe and legal abortion. They claim that at least 13 clinics across Texas would shut down after parts of the law go into effect Oct. 29.
"Not only is this law unnecessary it puts the health and lives of women in jeopardy," said Jennifer Dalven of the ACLU.
The lawsuit challenges a mandate that physicians who practice abortions must have admitting privileges at a local hospital. It also challenges stricter requirements for taking a commonly prescribed abortion pill.
Texas lawmakers passed the stricter requirements into law in July. The law also bans abortions past 20 weeks of pregnancy and requires clinics that preform abortions to meet the standards of an ambulatory surgical center.
