Judge Rules Alabama Abortion Law Unconstitutional
A federal judge ruled Monday that an Alabama abortion law that placed restrictions on abortion doctors was unconstitutional because it hampered a woman's ability to have a medical procedure.
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson extended the injunction on Alabama's law that requires abortion doctors to have admitting privileges to nearby hospitals, writing in his 172-page opinion that the law would unnecessarily impede a woman's ability for a medical procedure.
"The evidence compellingly demonstrates that the requirement would have the striking result of closing three of Alabama's five abortion clinics," the judge wrote in his opinion.
Thompson still has to issue a final ruling on the law that was passed by Alabama lawmakers last year. He said he needs to hear more arguments from both sides of the case before issuing a final decision, and Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange said in a statement that he disagreed with Thompson's judgment and would appeal his final ruling, should he determine the abortion law to be unconstitutional.
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley added in a statement that he found Thompson's ruling to be an unnecessary ruling in favor of abortion, a procedure that should only be done if the mother's life is in grave danger.
"Abortion is a fundamental assault on the sanctity of innocent human life, and I believe that it should only be done as a last possible effort to save the life of the mother," Bentley said in his statement.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama issued a statement praising Thomspon's ruling, with executive director Susan Watson releasing a statement that read: "These admitting privileges were not designed to make women safer."
"Major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, oppose them. We are proud to know that Alabama's women will continue have access to safe and legal abortions."
