Pa. Senate Set To Take Up Pair Of Abortion Bills
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - The Pennsylvania Senate is expected to tackle a pair of abortion bills this week or next.
One Senate bill is in response to the West Philadelphia abortion clinic horrors. Among its many provisions, that measure tightens policies regarding inspections, handling of complaints, and clinic reporting of "serious" events.
But Erik Arneson, a spokesman for Senate majority Republicans, also says, "We expect an amendment to be offered to the bill that would require abortion facilities to meet the standards of ambulatory surgical centers which is similar to legislation that has passed the House."
Abortion rights advocates say that House-passed language would mandate costly upgrades that will force clinics out of business. Arneson cannot say whether the amendment is likely to pass the Senate. The Senate is also expected to take up another bill that would prohibit the use of public funding for abortion through so-called "health insurance exchanges" being established under the federal health care law.
Reported by Harrisburg Bureau Chief Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio 1060
