Federal judges question whether Texas abortion law has forced clinics to close

Source: Dallas Morning News

NEW ORLEANS — Appellate judges challenged lawyers Monday over provisions of Texas’ new abortion law and whether they have unduly caused the closure of about a dozen abortion clinics.

The three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals bore down in particular on the shuttering of the only two abortion clinics in the Rio Grande Valley. The lack of facilities is now requiring women seeking an abortion to travel about 150 miles to a Corpus Christi clinic.

State Solicitor General Jonathan Mitchell defended the law, saying the state has a right to regulate medical practices as a way to promote women’s health.

“The law does not impose an undue burden,” he told the court.

Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20140106-federal-judges-question-whether-texas-abortion-law-has-forced-clinics-to-close.ece