WASHINGTON, June 27 (UPI & Gephardt Daily) — The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled 5-3 to strike down a Texas law that critics argued restricted women’s access to abortions.
Texas House Bill 2 required abortion providers to meet some of the same standards as hospitals, such as having large operating rooms.
Doctors working at abortion clinics were also required to hold admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the clinic.
Justin Stephen Breyer wrote the majority opinion, saying, “There was no significant health-related problem that the new helped to cure. We agree with the District Court that the surgical-center requirement, like the admitting-privileges requirement, provides few, if any, health benefits for women, poses a substantial obstacle to women seeking abortions, and constitutes an “undue burden” on their constitutional right to do so.”
The Supreme Court ruling was widely heralded by abortion rights advocates and drew a quick response from the presidential campaign trail.
Presumptive Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton praised the ruling, saying on social media, “SCOTUS decision is a victory for women in Texas and across America. Safe abortion should be a right – not just on paper, but in reality. – H.”
The Trump campaign has yet to comment.
President Barack Obama issued a statement saying he was “pleased” with Monday’s ruling.
“As the brief filed by the solicitor general makes clear and as the court affirmed today, these restrictions 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. Women’s opportunities are expanded and our nation is stronger when all of our citizens have accessible, affordable healthcare,” he said.
