WASHINGTON: A 2013 Texas abortion law has been struck down by US Supreme Court on Monday . The law that imposed restrictive regulations on the procedure have forced more than three-quarters of the state’s clinics to shut down.
The law requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals and clinics to maintain hospital-like conditions.
The Center for Reproductive Rights called the law “an absolute sham,” arguing that abortion patients rarely require hospitalization and that many patients simply take two pills.
Nearly a thousand people gathered in front of the Supreme Court in the hot sun, holding signs and dancing.
Jennifer Dalven, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union said. “The decision should send a loud signal to politicians that they can no longer hide behind sham rationales to shut down clinics and prevent a woman who has decided to end a pregnancy from getting the care she needs.”
Justice Stephen Breyer wrote the opinion for the majority. The opinion reads. “We conclude that neither of these provisions offers medical benefits sufficient to justify the burdens upon access that each imposes,” adding. “Each places a substantial obstacle in the path of women seeking a previability abortion, each constitutes an undue burden on abortion access … and each violates the Federal Constitution.”
Texas officials criticized the court decision saying.“The decision erodes states’ lawmaking authority to safeguard the health and safety of women and subjects more innocent life to being lost,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said in a statement. “Texas’ goal is to protect innocent life, while ensuring the highest health and safety standards for women.”
President Obama praised the ruling, saying that the restrictions in Texas “harm women’s health and place an unconstitutional obstacle in the path of a woman’s reproductive freedom.”
“We remain strongly committed to the protection of women’s health, including protecting a woman’s access to safe, affordable health care and her right to determine her own future,” Obama said in a statement released by the White House.
“Women’s opportunities are expanded and our nation is stronger when all of our citizens have accessible, affordable health care.”