Mississippians are awaiting a decision from the United States Supreme Court over whether to take up a case that could potentially close the state's only abortion clinic. The court could take up the case by the end of the month.
The 2012 state law required abortion providers to gain admitting privileges at area hospitals. A federal judge blocked the law from taking effect when it became apparent the statute would likely shutter the state's only clinic.
Now, anti-abortion groups are hoping that the Supreme Court will review the injunction, and allow Mississippi to enforce the law. Tanya Britton with Pro-Life Mississippi says making sure abortion providers have admitting privileges will keep women safer.
"It's absolutely absurd to think that someone would do a surgical procedure on a woman and then walk away from them," says Britton. "That is what happens in the state of Mississippi, and it happens over and over and over again. Women suffer because of it."
Pro-abortion groups say the law only aim is to shutter the state's last abortion clinic. Tiseme Zegeye is with the Center for Reproductive Rights in Washington.
"American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have both spoken out against admitting privileges requirements saying they have absolutely no medical justification," Zegeye says. "Rather than aid women's health they do the exact opposite, because they close clinics and safe and legal access to abortion."
It remains unclear whether the Supreme Court will take up the case. If they do, that decision could be announced as early as next Monday.
