Louisiana Abortion Bill Passed, Could Cause Some Clinics to Close
- Carrie Dedrick
- Updated May 22, 2014
![Louisiana Abortion Bill Passed, Could Cause Some Clinics to Close](https://i.swncdn.com/media/700w/crosswalk/resource/areas/crosswalk/resources/images/defaultimages/article-large-landscape.png)
A new abortion bill passed in Louisiana which requires doctors performing abortions to have practicing privileges at hospitals. This policy change may force three of the five abortion clinics in the state to shut down.
The bill went through in an 88 to 5 vote reports The New York Times.
The proposed bill was brought to the Louisiana State Legislature by pro-life activists, arguing that the law would protect women. Critics said the the proposal was a hidden effort to shut down clinics and violate women’s right to abortion according to Roe v. Wade.
“With similar restrictions passed in neighboring states over the objection of leading medical experts, we are deeply concerned that women in a vast stretch of this country are in read danger of losing the ability to access legal abortion safely,” said Planned Parenthood Federation of America president Cecile Richards.
Since Alabama, Mississippi and Texas have already passed such laws, the distance that women may have to travel to get an abortion was another concern of critics. But supporters said that women’s safety was more important than the convenience of a local clinic.
“What’s worse? Driving 300 miles to get an abortion from a clinic that meets a better standard of care, or going to a substandard one?” attorney A. Eric Johnston said.