Supreme Court Blocks Louisiana Abortion Law

Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked a Louisiana law requiring abortion doctors to hold admitting privileges at hospitals near abortion clinics. In a 5-4 vote, with Chief Justice John Roberts casting the deciding vote, the Supreme Court granted a temporary stay blocking the law while it is adjudicated in the lower courts.

The 2014 law required abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at hospitals within 30 miles of the abortion facility. A similar law in Texas was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2016. It is also similar to a Missouri law that forced the Columbia Planned Parenthood clinic to stop providing abortions because it could not secure admitting privileges from surrounding hospitals. The decision could open the door to more abortion clinics opening in Missouri.