The first part of 2010 has brought a flurry activity on the abortion front. Anti-abortion activists are fighting hard to get laws passed that are designed to discourage abortion by creating additional obstacles for the women seeking abortion and new liability for the physicians performing abortions. This fight is being played out in federal courts -- patients' advocates and providers are immediately challenging these laws as unconsitutional. Last week, two federal district courts granted temporary injunctions blocking abortion laws in Nebraska and Oklahoma, respectively. This is a promising sign for patients and providers because in order to get the injunction they had to convince the court that they would likely be succesful on the merits of their claim and that the law presented an imminent threat of irreparable harm by jeopardizing women's access to important reproductive health services. Full hearings will probably occur early next year.
For more information on the Nebraska law, read the CBS news story, Judge Blocks New Nebraska Abortion Screening Law, or click here for a copy of the court's order granting the temporary injunction.
For more information on the Oklahoma law, see my two earlier posts: Okalahoma Imposes Unethical and Unconstitutional Barriers for Women Seeking Abortion and State Barriers to Abortion.
