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Okla. Supreme Court Tosses Pro-Life Hospital Privileges Law

CBN

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The Oklahoma Supreme Court has thrown out a law requiring doctors at abortion clinics to have hospital admitting privileges.

The court said the law violates the U.S. Constitution by placing a undue burden on women who are trying to have an abortion. 
     
Republican Gov. Mary Fallin signed the measure earlier this year, but courts blocked it from taking effect. 

This week's ruling overturns a lower court's decision in February to uphold the law. 

Supporters of the law say it protects the health and safety of women. 

Opponents, however, feel the law is an attack on women's rights. 

"Under the guise of the protection of women's health, (the law) creates an undue burden on a woman's access to abortion, violating protected rights under our federal Constitution," Oklahoma Justice Joseph Watt wrote, referring specifically to the Texas case.

The law was challenged earlier this year by the New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights on behalf of Dr. Larry Burns, an Oklahoma physician who applied for admitting privileges but was denied. 

"Today's decision is a victory for Oklahoma women and another rebuke to politicians pushing underhanded laws that attack a woman's constitutionally guaranteed right to safe, legal abortion," Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Fallin said she was "disappointed to see another pro-life law stuck down by the courts."

"Like many bills passed in Oklahoma, this bill was designed to protect the health and welfare of the mother along with the life of the unborn, which always should be among our society's priorities," she said.

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