Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration has enacted new rules for Louisiana's abortion clinics that abortion rights supporters say will make it nearly impossible for the state's five clinics to stay open.
When it enacted the regulations, the Department of Health and Hospitals said they were designed to comply with new laws and to clarify licensing requirements.
But the rules go beyond new restrictions enacted by legislators.
Ellie Schilling, a lawyer working with the state's abortion clinics, says the 20 pages of regulations seem intended to shutter facilities. She says the state added new paperwork and staffing requirements and eliminated certain appeal rights.
DHH spokeswoman Olivia Watkins said Wednesday that the regulations are aimed at protecting health and safety and were revamped to consolidate two years of rule changes into one place.
