Abortion advocates protest new Louisiana health regulations

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration has rewritten the state’s abortion facility regulations to reflect changes in state law and improve women’s safety. But the move has sparked controversy with local abortion supporters who claim the administration intends to use the new rules to reduce abortion access.

The regulation rewrite not only reflects the legislative changes bust also details licensing and staffing requirements. Some of the rewrite extends beyond the legislative changes, the Department of Health and Hospitals said. But the changes are meant to improve safety.

“There are clear health risks associated with an abortion that could require urgent medical attention,” said agency spokeswoman Ashley Lewis. “Therefore, it is crucial for providers of abortions in Louisiana to meet any requirements outlined by the Louisiana legislature and promulgated by the department.”

The regulation changes incorporate an informed consent law passed in 2014 that requires informing women on the psychological impact of abortions, Lewis said. Another law passed last year requires abortion centers to post the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline. Earlier this year, Americans United for Life named Louisiana the most pro-life state of 2014 due to its legislative successes.

“Our legislature and our governor made significant strides in 2014 to protect women from the abortion industry and defend the value of every human life,” said Louisiana Right to Life Federation (LARTL) executive director Benjamin Clapper.

Abortion advocates say the regulation rewrite will limit access to abortion, a procedure they claim is safe. At a public hearing in January, Ellie Schilling, the legal representative for the abortion facilities, said the new requirements likely will increase paperwork and suspended licenses. Opponents of the admitting privilege requirement already say the law would close all five of the state’s abortion facilities.

It’s unclear whether anyone will file a lawsuit against the new regulation. Planned Parenthood “is committed to protecting access to safe, legal abortion and views this as an urgent situation, and we will explore all options,” said spokeswoman Jewel Bush.

But for pro-lifers in Louisiana, women’s safety is paramount, something they say abortion advocates should support. Many state governments have renewed interest in improving safety at abortion facilities, said Ryan Verret, assistant director of LARTL, especially after Philadelphia investigators uncovered Kermit Gosnell’s “house of horrors” abortion facility: “The state governments have a great interest in upholding the integrity of the medical profession.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.