Local Advocates React To Supreme Court Decision Striking Down Texas Abortion Clinic Regulations
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Local advocates on both sides of the abortion issue are responding to the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down a Texas abortion clinic regulation.
"The U.S. Supreme Court has clearly decided with the abortion industry over women," said Maria Gallagher, who works for the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation. "Women's health and safety could be severely compromised as a result of this ruling."
She says Texas law was design to prevent the horrors of the Kermit Gosnell Case -- and called the court's decision disturbing.
"Before the revelation about Gosnell, hair and nail salons were more stringently regulated than abortion clinics," Gallagher said.
Dayle Steinberg runs Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania. She applauds the Supreme Court ruling, saying a decision the other way would have opened the flood gates to laws trampling women's rights.
"Clearly it is a victory," Steinberg said. "Gosnell was a criminal and did not represent abortion providers across this country."
University of Pennsylvania Law Professor Kermit Roosevelt says advocates should be looking head.
"What really matters is who appoints the next justice," he said.
He called the abortion rights victory "narrow" since the court could shift after Election Day.