AUSTIN, Texas — A federal appeals court Tuesday upheld Texas’ strict abortion restrictions that could soon leave only seven abortion clinics open in a state of 27 million people.
The decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allows Texas to enforce Republican-backed restrictions that require abortion clinics to meet hospital-level operating standards, a checklist that includes rules on minimum room sizes, staffing levels and air ventilation systems. The restrictions, approved in 2013, are among the toughest in the nation.
Owners of traditional abortion clinics, which resemble doctor’s offices more than hospitals, say they would be forced to close because the new rules demand millions of dollars in upgrades. That would mark the second large wave of closures in as many years in Texas, which had 41 abortion clinics in 2012, before other new restrictions took effect that require doctor admitting privileges.
Abortion-rights groups said they will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
