Draconian law already ‘causing real harm to women across the state of Texas,’ says women’s health advocate

By Deirdre Fulton, staff writer for Common Dreams. Published 11-13-2015

The court has not heard a major abortion case since 2007. (Photo: ian mcwilliams/flickr/cc)

Setting the stage for what a leading women’s health advocate said will be “the most important abortion rights case in almost 25 years,” the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday agreed (pdf) to review a “draconian” Texas law designed to shut down clinics that provide safe, legal abortion services.

“Today the Supreme Court took an important step toward restoring the constitutional rights of millions of women, which Texas politicians have spent years dismantling through deceptive laws and regulatory red tape,” said Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, which brought the case on behalf of a coalition of women’s health providers. “We are confident the Court will recognize that these laws are a sham and stop these political attacks on women’s rights, dignity, and access to safe, legal essential health care.” Continue reading →