US Supreme Court (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
The U.S. Supreme Court is refusing to consider a request to let Wisconsin enforce an abortion restriction while it’s being challenged in lower courts.
It was almost a year ago when Republican Governor Scott Walker signed a law requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. Supporters of the measure argue it’s need in the event something goes wrong at an abortion clinic. The law never took effect though, because two providers filed suit just hours after it was signed. Planned Parenthood and Affiliated Medical Services said the law would restrict access to abortions, because of the difficulties abortion doctors often have in getting hospital privileges. The providers say it would force at least one clinic in the state to close.
Federal Judge William Conley put the law on hold shortly before it took effect. A federal appeals court upheld the move and the nation’s highest court said this morning that it would not consider reversing it. Justices did not indicate why they denied the request for review.
A trial on the legal challenge to the new law was completed a few weeks ago in Conley’s courtroom. A ruling could be issued in the coming weeks.