Court strikes down Ala. hospital privilege requirement

U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson ruled unconstitutional an Alabama law requiring physicians who perform abortions to have privileges to admit patients to a nearby hospital. The measure, which was similar to laws that have been passed in 10 other states, threatened to close three of the state's five clinics where abortions are performed. The requirement “would have the striking result of closing three of Alabama's five abortion clinics," imposing an undue burden on a woman's ability to choose an abortion, Thompson wrote in a decision announced earlier this week.

Source: Reuters