Reuters / Rebecca Cook
A Louisiana law that requires doctors who perform abortions in the state to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital has been upheld by an appeals court, despite a similar law in Texas being struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2016. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans decided the law doesn’t place an undue burden on women, stating in its ruling: “There is no evidence that any of the clinics will close as a result of the Act.” The Texas law led to the closure of the majority of the state’s abortion clinics, and the number of women forced to drive more than 150 miles to seek an abortion increased more than three-fold. Supporters say the provision helps protect women by providing continuity of care, but opponents claim it is unnecessary and designed to shut down clinics.