Appeals court allows Texas abortion regulations to take effect

The abortion fight in Texas The debate over abortion has been a contentious one in Texas. See photos from the abortion fight in the Lone Star State. The abortion fight in Texas The debate over abortion has been a contentious one in Texas. See photos from the abortion fight in the Lone Star State. Photo: Houston Chronicle/Associated Press Photos Photo: Houston Chronicle/Associated Press Photos Image 1 of / 38 Caption Close Appeals court allows Texas abortion regulations to take effect 1 / 38 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN -- A divided federal appeals court ruled Thursday evening to allow Texas's tough new abortion regulations to take effect, a decision that is expected to force all but seven clinics in the state to close.

The ruling from a three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals at least temporarily reversed a decision by a local judge who struck down two provisions of the law as unconstitutional in August.

The order signed by Judges Jennifer Walker Elrod and Jerry E. Smith found that Texas officials were likely to ultimately win their appeal in defense of the law.

Judge Stephen A. Higginson dissented, arguing that the law should at least not be allowed to take effect in McAllen and El Paso, where access to abortion is especially low.

The provisions require abortion doctors to obtain admitting privileges at a nearby hospital and abortion facilities to meet the standards of hospital-style surgical centers.

They are part of a major law known as House Bill 2 that also banned abortions after 20 weeks and regulated abortion using a pill.

About half of 41 abortion clinics in operation before passage of the law already have closed.

Only seven comply with the surgical center standards, and the rest are expected to close soon.