The biggest abortion case in almost 25 years is being considered for Supreme Court review. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals case, Whole Woman's Health, et al. v. Cole, et al. , challenged Texas state abortion clinic regulations designed to protect the safety of women undergoing abortion procedures. These basic, medically-based regulations include physician qualifications, sanitation requirements, and procedures for adequate recovery care and emergencies. Challengers argue that these requirements are expensive for abortionists and therefore the laws impose an "undue burden" on a woman's right to abortion.
If the Supreme Court decides to hear the case, it would be the most significant abortion case since Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1997), because it would, among other things, clarify what constitutes an "undue burden" on a woman's right to abortion under Roe v. Wade .
It is important for Americans to know exactly what this law says and to see for themselves how basic and necessary these types of regulations are for women undergoing an abortion.
Under the contested law, abortion providers must have admitting privileges at a hospital located within 30 miles of the abortion facility. Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann . 171.0031
Why should an abortion provider have admitting privileges? Admitting privileges allow the abortion provider to admit immediately a woman into a hospital in case of emergency complications and consult directly with hospital staff about the abortion and the woman's medical history.
To apply for admitting privileges, physicians usually have to submit an application with information on their licensing, education and experience, and undergo an interview. Admitting privileges are usually not granted to physicians who have been or are being sued for medical malpractice. It is in the patient's favor for the physician to have admitting privileges.
The Texas law requires abortion clinics to follow the same minimum standards as ambulatory surgical centers (ASC). Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann . 245.010.
What is an ASC? An ASC is a medical center for elective, same-day, non-emergency, out-patient surgeries and procedures. "Ambulatory" comes from the Latin root "ambulare," meaning "to walk." Patients treated in ASCs are fit to go home after the procedure.
Typical procedures conducted in ASCs include endoscopies and colonoscopies (including removal of identified polyps), orthopedic procedures, plastic/reconstructive surgeries, and eye, foot, and ear/nose/throat surgeries. As most of these procedures are less invasive and less dangerous than abortion, it is medically justifiable that abortion clinics be held to the same health and safety standards as an ASC.
The following is a summary of ASC standards that the Texas law extends to abortion clinics:
If you or a loved one were undergoing a surgical procedure, wouldn't you want the physician and facility to follow these standards? The Texas case is an opportunity for Americans to re-evaluate the motives of abortion providers; if they are fighting so hard against such basic, medically-based regulations, are they really interested in the health and welfare of the women they serve?