The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal in New Orleans is hearing two Texas cases that are drawing local and national attention. One later Wednesday involves restrictions on abortion clinics, and another set for a hearing Friday involving same-sex marriage.
Carrie Feibel is the health and science reporter with Houston Public Media. She’s been covering the abortion case, most recently in court in September.
Texas wants to require abortion providers to meet standards set for an ambulatory surgical center. Clinics say the added cost would put them out of business, and is not medically necessary.
“Back in September the federal appeals court here in New Orleans said, ‘No. The clinics had to shut.’ But the clinics turned around and appealed that to the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court said: ‘You can stay open until the appeal,’" Feible says.
"Well, the appeal is now here. It’s today in the Fifth Circuit. So this is sort of the real decision as to whether this law will stand, as to whether those clinics will be able to stay open or permanently have to close.”
Louisiana is seeking to require that abortion providers have hospital-admitting privileges within 30 miles of a clinic.
Feibel says there’s no indication when a ruling on the Texas case will be reached.
