Quick Hit: Mississippi’s one abortion clinic may be forced into closure

Mississippi only has one abortion clinic, in the whole state, and that clinic is now at threat of being shut down with the signing of what reproductive rights activists call a TRAP (Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers)  law. Under these laws, states come up with bogus regulations for clinics to have to meet or they risk being shut down. We’ve seen this before, it’s a tactic to use alternative methods that don’t even include pro-life/anti-choice language in the legislation to shut down a clinic. But ultimately, they are direct attacks on abortion clinics, since even other health care facilities are not subject to the same regulations.

The Mississippi law requires all physicians who work at in-state abortion clinics to be board-certified with admitting privileges at a local hospital.

Mississippi once had several abortion clinics. Only one remains: the Jackson Women’s Health Organization, in the state capital. Owner Diane Derzis has said it will be difficult for her doctors to obtain local admitting privileges, since many of them live out of state and commute to the clinic, fearing harassment by members of Mississippi’s antiabortion movement.

Bryant, a Republican, was elected in November after running as an outspoken abortion foe. “I believe that all human life is precious, and as governor, I will work to ensure that the lives of the born and unborn are protected in Mississippi,” he said in a statement Monday.

Via LA Times.

Bryant signed the bill on Monday. The Mississippi GOPs decade long attack on women’s access to abortion has had deleterious consequences on the health and wellness of it’s uterus bearing population. Imagine a state without even one abortion clinic–it’s beyond scary.