USA Today Examines Efforts In Indiana To Limit Access To Abortion Through County Ordinances

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 30 Sep 2008 - 7:00 PDT

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USA Today on Friday examined efforts by abortion-rights opponents in Indiana to pass regulations at the county level to require doctors who perform the procedure to have admitting privileges at a local hospital after efforts to enact statewide legislation stalled. Some abortion-rights groups have said the strategy "might be the leading edge of a nationwide effort to limit access to the procedure" because some abortion clinics are staffed by physicians based elsewhere who likely do not have admitting privileges to local hospitals (Keen, USA Today, 9/26).

The Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners in August passed a measure that requires doctors performing abortions to have hospital admitting privileges in the county or an adjacent county. In addition, the measure requires physicians to inform the patient of where follow-up care can be received for any possible complications. Advocates are seeking similar legislation in Allen County, Ind., where the Fort Wayne Women's Health Organization abortion clinic operates (Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 8/18). Dubois Country also passed such a regulation last month. According to USA Today, neither Vanderburgh County nor Dubois County has an abortion clinic. Dubois County Commissioner Larry Vollmer said, "We want to get out ahead of it where we can prevent" one from opening.

Mike Fichter, president of Indiana Right to Life, said the admitting privileges regulations represent a "new strategy." Fichter said that the ordinances ensure that women experiencing complications from abortions can receive medical care quickly but that he hopes the measures also will make abortions less accessible. He also said he expects at least six Indiana counties to pass similar measures this year. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 18 states require a relationship between abortion clinics and hospitals. Betty Cockrum, president of Planned Parenthood of Indiana, said the ordinances are not necessary because states regulate medical facilities. She added that she expects abortion-rights opponents throughout the country to follow Indiana's lead.

USA Today reports that national groups on both sides of the abortion debate are monitoring action in Indiana. Denise Burke, vice president of Americans United for Life, said, "Could it have an effect on the availability of abortions? Certainly, if providers refuse to comply with the law." Celine Mizrahi, legislative counsel for the Center of Reproductive Rights, said, "These kinds of local ordinances could fly under the radar and have a real impact." She added that if Allen County votes to require hospital admitting privileges, her organization would consider legal action. According to CRR, Allen County's proposal would infringe on state authority (USA Today, 9/26).

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