Government
Supreme Court to review ruling on N.H. abortion law
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 13, 2005
The U.S. Supreme Court in May said it would take up an appellate court decision that struck down a New Hampshire law requiring doctors to notify a minor's parent at least 48 hours before providing an abortion unless the patient had a court waiver or would die before the parental notification could take place.
The 1st U.S. Court of Appeals in Boston struck down the 2003 New Hampshire law because it did not contain an explicit exception for preserving a pregnant woman's health.
The court also said the act is unconstitutional because "it fails to safeguard a physician's good-faith medical judgment that a minor's life is at risk." Some doctors fear that they could be accused of not meeting the law's requirements if they make a medical decision that is later questioned under the act.
New Hampshire's attorney general asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the appellate decision in the case, Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England et al. This is the first time in five years that the high court has agreed to hear a case involving an abortion issue.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/06/13/gvbf0613.htm.
