Should the law stand, abortion providers would be required to obtain staff privileges at local hospitals, which are medically unnecessary and difficult to obtain. Leading medical groups, such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, have opposed such requirements because they are unnecessary for the provision of safe, high-quality health care, and because they prevent women from getting necessary services.
The law would force three of the state’s five abortion clinics, including the Planned Parenthood health centers in Birmingham and Mobile and Reproductive Health Services in Montgomery, to stop providing abortions. Only facilities in Huntsville and Tuscaloosa would remain open.
Alabama law does not require doctors providing surgery at other health centers to have admitting privileges, even for more complicated procedures.