Supreme Court Ruling On Texas Abortion Clinics Could Affect Colorado

DENVER (CBS4) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday heard arguments for a Texas law that would require abortion clinics to have the same standards as surgical centers, among other restrictions. The ruling could have impact in Colorado.

The lead attorney for the plaintiffs says the law is intended to shut down clinics in the state, but a Texas state representative says that's not true.

"This is all about women's health and quality of care for whatever kind of decision they choose to make," said Rep. Jodie Lautenberg, R-Texas.

The Supreme Court's decision is expected in June.

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains says the ruling could affect Coloradans. The organization says the Texas law could open the door for Colorado lawmakers to pass similar bills.

A proposal introduced to the Colorado House this legislative session would create abortion restrictions similar to the ones on the Texas law.

"We need to stop bills like these that target abortion providers and women. They all have one goal -- to eliminate women's access to safe and legal abortion," said Dickey Lee Hullinghorst, D-Speaker of the House.

Planned Parenthood says the laws place an unnecessary burden on abortion providers, forcing them to close, and leaving women without access to reproductive health care.