Utah Hasn't Figured Out How to Legally Ban Abortion, So It's Banning Clinics Instead
On Wednesday, a gross, workaround way to restrict abortion became law in Utah: In 2024, Utah will ban all abortion clinics, according to a bill Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed.
Additionally, though abortion is currently legal up to 18 weeks in the state, starting May 3, the state will no longer license new abortion clinics. And even before the 2024 ban kicks in, the new law requires that an abortion be performed by a physician in a hospital, unless a “medical emergency” necessitates another location. This means that May-to-January limbo period could effectively end abortion access in Utah if hospitals aren’t prepared to take over.
Abortion advocates and hospital representatives say the legislation has created confusion in the state, as Utah hospitals allow physicians to decline to provide abortions. Nationally, only 3 percent of abortions are done in hospitals, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Zero hospitals in Utah provided patients with “elective abortions” last year, the Associated Press reported.
In an interview with the AP, Jason Stevenson, a Planned Parenthood lobbyist in Utah, said the organization is “looking closely” at the law’s interpretation of licensing to see if they’re allowed to keep providing care before May 3. Independent clinics and Planned Parenthood affiliates provide surgical and medication abortion in Utah.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/utah-hasnt-figured-legally-ban-203700022.html
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