government
Texas abortion law can proceed, appeals court rules
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Jan. 23, 2012
A state law requiring Texas doctors performing abortions to provide women with ultrasound details can take effect while a legal challenge against the law continues, an appeals court has ruled.
The Center for Reproductive Rights, an abortion-rights group, sued the state in June 2011 over the law, calling it unconstitutional for doctors and patients. The statute mandates that doctors show women seeking abortions ultrasound images, describe the images in detail and play fetal heartbeat sounds.
A district judge granted a preliminary injunction against the law's enforcement in August 2011. A panel of judges for the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Jan. 10 overturned that injunction, allowing the law to go into effect. A district court judge will hear arguments in the case later in January.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/01/23/gvbf0123.htm.
