By Louisiana Right to Life A federal appeals court panel has ruled that a 2014 Louisiana law requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital passes constitutional muster. The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals three-judge panel recognized a similar law struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2016, but by a 2-1 decision September 26 they said the Louisiana Unsafe Abortion Protection Act (Act 620) does not impose the same "substantial burden" on women as the Texas law. Judges Smith and Clement analyzed the law's impact on Louisiana, separating it from the Texas-based facts presented in the Supreme Court's 2016 Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt decision. The ruling reverses the 2017 ruling of federal district court Judge John deGravelles, who blocked the law. "Louisiana Right to Life celebrates today’s 5th Circuit decision upholding Louisiana’s Unsafe Abortion Protection Act as a victory for women’s health and safety," said Benjamin Clapper, Executive Director of Louisiana Right to Life. "Ever since we began working with State Rep. Katrina Jackson (D-Monroe) to introduce HB 388 in 2014, the goal of requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at local hospitals was always … [Read more...]