Pennsylvania House And Senate Show Support For Changes In Abortion Laws
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - Both the state house and senate have now indicated support for regulatory changes that abortion rights supporters claim will shut down clinics in Pennsylvania.
Though the state senate will not take a final vote on the bill until next week, the senate Wednesday approved an amendment that will require clinics that provide abortions after nine weeks to meet the same standards as ambulatory surgical facilities. The house has already passed a bill with similar language.
Republican Robert Mensch sponsored the senate amendment.
"My amendment will create a level of care which many women would honestly expect from these facilities," Mensch said.
But opponents say the amendment, which is in response to the West Philadelphia abortion clinic horrors, will force clinics to close because of costly upgrades that will be required.
"They've cynically used the Gosnell case to pursue what amounts to an anti-abortion agenda," Alleghney County Democrat Jim Ferlo said.
A final senate vote on the abortion clinic bill is expected next week.
Reported by Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio
