Kansas Legislators Approve Bill Seeking Tighter Regulation of Abortion Clinics
The measure would place abortion clinics under the regulation of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Supporters say that stronger regulation is needed, while opponents contend that the bill singles out abortion clinics.
A bill to strengthen regulation of abortion clinics in Kansas won approval by the state House and a Senate committee this week.
The House voted 87 to 36 in favor of the bill on Monday. On Tuesday, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee recommended the bill by a 5 to 3 vote, sending the measure to the full Senate for debate.
Called the Women’s Health Protection Act, the bill sets minimum health and safety standards for abortion clinics and changes the regulating facility for abortion clinics from the Board of Healing Arts to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
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Critics of the bill say that it singles out abortion clinics, rather than applying stricter standards to all clinics and doctors offices that perform minor surgeries. They charge that those who support the bill, consisting largely of pro-life groups, are seeking tighter regulation ultimately to close down abortion clinics.
A supporter of abortion rights, Governor Kathleen Sebelius vetoed a similar bill in 2003 and is likely to veto this year’s bill as well, unless the language is changed for a broader application of the new regulations.
“I think having a set of standards that is put together by doctors and applies across the board makes very good sense, and I would love that to reach my desk,” said Sebelius.
Supporters of the bill argue that current regulation is weak and endangers the health and lives of women. Last year, a similar bill passed in the House but failed in the Senate. Following Tuesday’s approval, the Senate is expected to debate the bill by the end of next week.
