Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) of Louisiana signed a bill June 12, 2014, requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at local hospitals. The law, similar to those in Mississippi and Texas, could force the closure of several of the state鈥檚 five abortion clinics.
The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that the clinic in Shreveport is the only one in Louisiana that complies with the law. The doctor there has long had hospital admitting privileges in connection with his private practice. The abortion clinics in New Orleans and Baton Rouge are 鈥渁ll but guaranteed鈥� to close, the paper reports.
Supporters of the bill say it is designed to protect women鈥檚 health. Opponents say there鈥檚 no medical basis for that assertion.
