Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court granting certiorari review of a challenge to provisions of House Bill 2 (HB 2), the 2013 Texas law designed to protect the health and welfare of Texas women:
“The common-sense measures Texas has put in place elevate the standard of care and protect the health of Texas women. The state has wide discretion to pass laws ensuring Texas women are not subject to substandard conditions at abortion facilities. The advancement of the abortion industry’s bottom line shouldn’t take precedence over women’s health, and we look forward to demonstrating the validity of these important health and safety requirements in Court.”
HB 2 was signed into law by Texas Gov. Rick Perry on July 18, 2013. At issue before the U.S. Supreme Court are two provisions of the law designed to improve the sanitary conditions and quality of care available to Texas women. The provisions (1) require abortion facilities to comply with the standards set for ambulatory surgical centers and (2) require abortion practitioners to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the facility. Medical experts have testified that the requirements are reasonable and effective measures to raise the standard of care for patients and ensure their health and safety.