Supreme Court blocks Louisiana's abortion law requiring doctors to have admitting privileges in hospitals

A protester with her mouth taped over with the word "life" stands in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington D.C. on March 2, 20216, the day the court began tackling a major abortion case. Reuters

The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked on Friday a Louisiana law that would require abortionists to get admitting privileges in nearby hospitals.

In its decision, the court, with only Justice Clarence Thomas dissenting, suspended the Feb. 24, 2015 decision of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which put on hold an earlier decision by a federal court blocking the Louisiana law.

"Consistent with the Court's action granting a stay in Whole Woman's Health v. Cole, No. 14A1288 (June 29, 2015), the application to vacate the stay entered by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on February 24, 2016, presented to Justice Thomas and by him referred to the Court, is granted and the Fifth Circuit's stay of the district court's injunction is vacated," the Supreme Court's brief order read.

The law was signed by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal in June 2014.

The decision came as the Supreme Court is tackling a similar case in Texas.

"For the third time in a little over a year, the Supreme Court has stepped in to preserve women's ability to get the constitutionally protected healthcare they need," said Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The High Court is debating whether states that impose abortion laws put an unconstitutional burden on women seeking to end pregnancies.

Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. and Justice Samuel Alito Jr. defended the Texas law, which also requires admitting privileges for abortionists, but decided on Friday to suspend the Louisiana measure.

Texas and Louisiana and seven other states have imposed laws requiring abortionist doctors to have admitting privileges in hospitals, with lawmakers saying that this would ensure consistent health care for a patient who experiences medical emergency.

In Louisiana, the law would close all but one abortion clinics in the state as most hospitals refused to grant admitting privileges to doctors who practice abortions.

After the Court of Appeals lifted the federal court's order against the law, two abortion clinics said they would no longer see patients while the other one said it expected to close down as well.

Pro-abortion advocates filed an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court and with the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, Thomas will hear appeals from the Fifth Circuit.

Lawyers said if the admitting privilege rule is enforced, Louisiana will be left with one abortion doctor who "cannot meet the need for approximately 10,000 abortions in Louisiana, a need that was previously met by six physicians in five clinics across the state."

related articles
Colorado lawmakers kill measures that sought to ban abortion, penalise crimes against unborn child
Colorado lawmakers kill measures that sought to ban abortion, penalise crimes against unborn child

Colorado lawmakers kill measures that sought to ban abortion, penalise crimes against unborn child

Utah governor supports proposed bill to administer anaesthesia to unborn babies during abortion
Utah governor supports proposed bill to administer anaesthesia to unborn babies during abortion

Utah governor supports proposed bill to administer anaesthesia to unborn babies during abortion

7 of 10 Americans ignore undercover Planned Parenthood videos on abortion, survey shows
7 of 10 Americans ignore undercover Planned Parenthood videos on abortion, survey shows

7 of 10 Americans ignore undercover Planned Parenthood videos on abortion, survey shows

New Kentucky governor sues Planned Parenthood for performing illegal abortions
New Kentucky governor sues Planned Parenthood for performing illegal abortions

New Kentucky governor sues Planned Parenthood for performing illegal abortions

U.N. pushes countries to prioritise LGBT rights, abortion as part of its global plan
U.N. pushes countries to prioritise LGBT rights, abortion as part of its global plan

U.N. pushes countries to prioritise LGBT rights, abortion as part of its global plan

People warned: Satan is everywhere but is \'especially active\' in abortion clinics
People warned: Satan is everywhere but is 'especially active' in abortion clinics

People warned: Satan is everywhere but is 'especially active' in abortion clinics

Essure female contraceptive device has killed over 300 unborn children and should no longer be sold — U.S. lawmaker
Essure female contraceptive device has killed over 300 unborn children and should no longer be sold — U.S. lawmaker

Essure female contraceptive device has killed over 300 unborn children and should no longer be sold — U.S. lawmaker

Worse birth defects from Zika feared: Baby with virtually no brain dies inside mother\'s womb
Worse birth defects from Zika feared: Baby with virtually no brain dies inside mother's womb

Worse birth defects from Zika feared: Baby with virtually no brain dies inside mother's womb

Lawmakers in West Virginia pass bill banning dismemberment abortions to protect unborn child
Lawmakers in West Virginia pass bill banning dismemberment abortions to protect unborn child

Lawmakers in West Virginia pass bill banning dismemberment abortions to protect unborn child

New video shows Planned Parenthood official revealing ways to get intact aborted babies to sell to biotech company
New video shows Planned Parenthood official revealing ways to get intact aborted babies to sell to biotech company

New video shows Planned Parenthood official revealing ways to get intact aborted babies to sell to biotech company

Trump praises Planned Parenthood again, admits he\'s not a \'perfect conservative\' on women\'s health issues
Trump praises Planned Parenthood again, admits he's not a 'perfect conservative' on women's health issues

Trump praises Planned Parenthood again, admits he's not a 'perfect conservative' on women's health issues

Deeply split U.S. Supreme Court weighs in on Texas abortion case, ruling likely in June
Deeply split U.S. Supreme Court weighs in on Texas abortion case, ruling likely in June

Deeply split U.S. Supreme Court weighs in on Texas abortion case, ruling likely in June

News
Young people increasingly open to faith and God, research finds
Young people increasingly open to faith and God, research finds

"The time is now. It is urgent," said lead researcher Laura Hancock.

Israeli shelling hits Gaza’s only Catholic Church, killing three and wounding 10
Israeli shelling hits Gaza’s only Catholic Church, killing three and wounding 10

In a rare move, the Israeli Foreign Ministry posted an apology on social media.

Fresh attacks on Christians in Syria after deadly church bombing
Fresh attacks on Christians in Syria after deadly church bombing

Can anyone bring peace and order in Syria?

UK government targets 10 countries to protect believers – but have they made the right choices?
UK government targets 10 countries to protect believers – but have they made the right choices?

As Christians face increasing numbers of attacks across the world, the British Foreign Office is to target 10 countries in a bid to get them to improve their record on protecting freedom of religion or belief (FoRB).