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DALLAS, OCTOBER 3, 2014 -- On Thursday, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled to allow the full implementation of the Texas law (HB 2) regarding the health and safety regulation of the abortion industry. The court ruled to suspend a lower court's ruling that had struck down key provisions of the law. The state may now immediately enforce the requirement that abortion facilities meet the standards of ambulatory surgical centers and that abortionists maintain local hospital admitting privileges.
It is anticipated that 13 abortion facilities operating in Texas will not meet these standards and thus will no longer be able to legally perform abortions. This includes two abortion facilities in Dallas: Routh Street and "Abortion Advantage".
Karen Garnett, Executive Director of the Catholic Pro-Life Committee / Pro-Life Dallas, commented on the ruling:
"We are elated by the court's ruling allowing this much needed protection for women's health and safety to go into full effect. The abortion industry should not be an exception to common-sense and common-place health standards in Texas.
"We are grateful to the many devoted supporters and leaders who laid the foundation for this legislation that was widely supported when it passed. And we commend the Fifth Circuit Court for respecting those efforts and the will of the people of Texas as expressed through the legislative process. It is our hope and prayer that this initial ruling indicates the Court's willingness to do the same in a final ruling allowing the continued full implementation of HB 2.
"We look forward to a time when Texas will be abortion free, but until then, we support these efforts to protect the health and safety of women and to hold the abortion industry accountable to the same standards we would expect from any medical provider. Texas women deserve better."
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