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Abortion clinics in Texas begin to close doors as restrictive law takes effect

Centres shut down after contentious Republican law comes into force despite challenges from Democrats and pro-choice activists.

Protesters stand with signs along the street in front of Southwestern Women's Surgery Center in Dallas, Texas
Protesters stand with signs along the street in front of Southwestern Women's Surgery Center in Dallas, Texas Credit: Photo: EPA/LARRY W. SMITH

Abortion clinics in Texas have begun to close down or halt procedures as the state's restrictive new abortion law goes into effect.

The new regulations demand that any doctor providing abortions also have the credentials to admit patients to a hospital within 30 miles of where the procedure is taking place.

Supporters of the law say the rule is designed to protect women and their babies and ensure they have access to emergency treatment if anything goes wrong during the abortion procedure.

But opponents claim the regulations are deliberately designed to make it impossible to provide abortions in rural or isolated parts of the sprawling Lone Star state.

At least nine abortion clinics have ceased operation, according to the Texas Tribune, and many of more the state's 42 centres are expected to stop in the coming weeks.

"Patients are walking through the door, they are crying — they are freaking out,” Amy Hagstrom Miller, chief executive of Whole Woman’s Health, told the New York Times.

The law's implementation is a victory for Republicans in what has become a long-running political and legal battle over women's health in Texas but that has drawn attention from across the United States.

There was confusion and outrage in the Texas Senate after an attempted filibuster to an anti-abortion bill was blocked and Republicans forced through a vote despite Democrats claiming time had run out.

Wendy Davis delivered a 10-hour filibuster speech on the floor of the Texas Senate in June (AP)

Wendy Davis, a Democrat state senator, successfully derailed Republicans' first attempt to pass the law in June, delivering a 10-hour filibuster speech on the floor of the Texas Senate.

Democrats nationwide cheered the 50-year-old single mother's effort using the hashtag "#StandwithWendy", and Barack Obama tweeted: "Something special is happening in Austin tonight".

Her speech, combined with raucous protests from liberal groups, effectively ran down the legislative clock, leaving no time for the law to be voted on.

But although the filibuster launched Mrs Davis to national fame and she is now mounting a bid for governor of Texas in next year's election, Republicans were ultimately able to regroup and pass the law on a second attempt.

Planned Parenthood, the national pro-choice group, sued in the courts and won an injunction on Monday preventing the regulation about access to local hospitals coming into force.

However within days a higher court overturned the ruling, giving the green light to begin enforcing the law.

The decision was hailed by Greg Abbott, the Republican attorney general of Texas, who is running against Mrs Davis for the governorship. "This unanimous decision is a vindication of the careful deliberation by the Texas Legislature to craft a law to protect the health and safety of Texas women," he said.