Reaction to today’s ruling striking down Texas abortion clinic law

Today, the United States Supreme Court struck down a Texas law that requires abortion clinic facilities to meet the same standards as other surgical centers. The Thomas More Society filed an amicus brief in the case (see it here), which stated the law is constitutional. 

Thomas More Society attorney Jocelyn Floyd, a former FOT guest, issued this statement in response to the 5-3 ruling in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt: 

“The Supreme Court today overturned a Texas law protecting women’s health because it viewed the law as ‘unnecessary.’ Texas enacted common-sense provisions to protect women at abortion facilities from substandard care, requiring abortion providers to meet the same standards as other similar medical clinics. Here in Illinois, we’ve seen all too well what disastrous consequences come from holding abortion providers to lower standards than other medical providers—contamination, dirty facilities, patient injury, and even death. We’re disappointed that the Supreme Court views vital protection against these consequences as ‘unnecessary’.”   

And Eric Scheidler, Executive Director of the Pro-Life Action League, issued this statement:  

“It is shameful to see a majority of the Supreme Court sacrificing public health and safety to prop up the abortion industry in Texas. If this case were about anything other than abortion, this law would have been upheld. Indeed, it would never have been challenged. Only the abortion industry balks at adhering to the same standards considered routine by legitimate health care providers. 

“How many Kermit Gosnells will it take for public officials to uphold common sense health and safety standards for the abortion industry? In the wake of this irresponsible ruling in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, pro-life activists will be redoubling our efforts to highlight the dangerous conditions at America’s abortion clinics -- like the ambulances we see turning up regularly at abortion clinics around the country -- in hopes that one day the abortion industry will be held accountable for endangering public health.”