By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services/Arizona Capitol Times
A new ruling Monday by the U.S. Supreme Court likely voids one Arizona abortion restriction and calls others into question.
In a 5-3 decision, the high court declared unconstitutional a mandate in Texas law that doctors who perform abortions have admitting privileges at hospitals within 30 miles of the clinic. Justice Stephen Breyer, writing for the majority, said there was no medical justification for the requirement.
More to the point, he said the move meant fewer doctors able to perform abortions, imposing a legally impermissible hurdle on the right of women to terminate their pregnancy.