AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Abortion providers want strict new Texas regulations to remain on hold until the U.S. Supreme Court can review their latest challenge.
The request filed Wednesday was made to the same New Orleans federal appeals court that has upheld sweeping abortions restrictions approved by Texas lawmakers in 2013. As few as seven abortion clinics could remain in the nation’s second largest state if the full law takes effect in July.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals this week ruled that Texas can require abortion clinics to meet hospital-level operating standards. Abortion-rights groups say that will put more than half of the roughly 18 remaining abortion facilities in Texas out of business.
They’re now asking to stop Texas from enforcing the mandate while their appeal to the Supreme Court is pending.
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