On March 2nd, 2016, the Supreme Court heard arguments in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt. This case is about a Texas law, HB 2, that introduced requirements for abortion clinics. The regulations include physicians who perform abortions having admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles, and many standards similar to ambulatory surgical centers. Opponents argue that these regulations are simply a front meant to limit women’s access to abortion, as the procedure is considered safe already and 3/4 of the state’s abortion clinics closed under HB 2.
This is the final episode of our reproductive rights arc. We provide argument analysis and explanations of possible outcomes, since we’ll have to wait for a decision.
Many thanks to Peter Cheun and Biz Reilly, our research assistants who have made So Ordered possible.