Doctors performing abortions in standalone clinics will have to have admitting privileges in nearby hospitals under a bill that has passed the state Senate.
Republican Senator Mae Beavers says the bill will ensure that when an abortion procedure goes bad, the patient can more quickly be checked into a hospital.
“They should have hospital admitting privileges so that a woman that has complications will know where to call, where he will be available to treat her.”
Despite heated controversy in both houses, neither side has been able to say how many clinics will be affected.
Opponents argue that the measure targets physicians based at abortion clinics since hospitals and out-patient surgical centers are already regulated under different laws.
The legislation – called the “life defense act” – had already passed the state House.
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