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El Paso abortion clinic reopens amid Texas court battles El Paso abortion clinic reopens amid Texas court battles
(35 minutes later)
An El Paso clinic shuttered by Texas’s tough 2013 abortion law reopened on Tuesday, the first in the state to do so since the US supreme court temporarily blocked enforcement of some of the key restrictions three months ago.An El Paso clinic shuttered by Texas’s tough 2013 abortion law reopened on Tuesday, the first in the state to do so since the US supreme court temporarily blocked enforcement of some of the key restrictions three months ago.
The Reproductive Services clinic, so close to the Texas-Mexico border that its windows offer views of Ciudad Juárez across the Rio Grande, is now taking appointments and should begin performing abortions next week.The Reproductive Services clinic, so close to the Texas-Mexico border that its windows offer views of Ciudad Juárez across the Rio Grande, is now taking appointments and should begin performing abortions next week.
The reopening brings to 20 the number of abortion clinics in America’s second-most-populous state. But that is still down from 41 in 2012, and the facility could close again soon.The reopening brings to 20 the number of abortion clinics in America’s second-most-populous state. But that is still down from 41 in 2012, and the facility could close again soon.
Related: What Texas’s controversial abortion law means for women in the stateRelated: What Texas’s controversial abortion law means for women in the state
A 29 June supreme court order only created a temporary block that will hold until the court decides whether to hear an appeal of a lower court ruling refusing to suspend the Texas restrictions. It is not clear when that decision will come, but the summer ruling is a strong indication that the supreme court eventually will hear the full appeal – which could be the biggest abortion case in decades.A 29 June supreme court order only created a temporary block that will hold until the court decides whether to hear an appeal of a lower court ruling refusing to suspend the Texas restrictions. It is not clear when that decision will come, but the summer ruling is a strong indication that the supreme court eventually will hear the full appeal – which could be the biggest abortion case in decades.
“We’re so excited about the reopening, but the discouraging part is we could be closed down at any time,” said Marilyn Eldridge, president of Nova Health Systems, which operates Reproductive Services. She and her late husband, a Christian minister, first opened the clinic in 1977.“We’re so excited about the reopening, but the discouraging part is we could be closed down at any time,” said Marilyn Eldridge, president of Nova Health Systems, which operates Reproductive Services. She and her late husband, a Christian minister, first opened the clinic in 1977.
“This is more difficult than it has ever been,” Eldridge added in a phone interview. “I think it’s because there is so much discussion about something that should be a very personal matter.”“This is more difficult than it has ever been,” Eldridge added in a phone interview. “I think it’s because there is so much discussion about something that should be a very personal matter.”
Related: The biggest US city without an abortion clinic: El Paso's sole facility faces closureRelated: The biggest US city without an abortion clinic: El Paso's sole facility faces closure
Texas in 2013 approved some of the nation’s tightest abortion rules, prompting thousands of demonstrators on both sides of the issue to pack the state capitol in Austin. The then Democratic state senator Wendy Davis temporary blocked the law with a 12-plus-hour filibuster that launched her unsuccessful campaign for governor, but the GOP-controlled legislature approved it easily in a subsequent special session.Texas in 2013 approved some of the nation’s tightest abortion rules, prompting thousands of demonstrators on both sides of the issue to pack the state capitol in Austin. The then Democratic state senator Wendy Davis temporary blocked the law with a 12-plus-hour filibuster that launched her unsuccessful campaign for governor, but the GOP-controlled legislature approved it easily in a subsequent special session.
The law mandates that clinics meet hospital-like surgical standards and that doctors who perform abortions have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. Opponents sued, arguing that the regulations would force nearly all Texas abortion clinics to close.The law mandates that clinics meet hospital-like surgical standards and that doctors who perform abortions have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. Opponents sued, arguing that the regulations would force nearly all Texas abortion clinics to close.
Eldridge’s clinic is the second of its kind in El Paso. Hill Top Women’s Reproductive Clinic closed briefly because of the new law, but reopened in November, a month after a separate US supreme court ruling blocked parts of the law.Eldridge’s clinic is the second of its kind in El Paso. Hill Top Women’s Reproductive Clinic closed briefly because of the new law, but reopened in November, a month after a separate US supreme court ruling blocked parts of the law.
The Texas-Mexico border city has been a flashpoint for abortion lawsuits. Opponents of the Texas law argue that closing clinics there would force women to travel about 550 miles to San Antonio, even though abortions are performed at much closer facilities in nearby New Mexico.The Texas-Mexico border city has been a flashpoint for abortion lawsuits. Opponents of the Texas law argue that closing clinics there would force women to travel about 550 miles to San Antonio, even though abortions are performed at much closer facilities in nearby New Mexico.
Related: The US supreme court may bring Texas-style abortion restrictions to every state | Scott LemieuxRelated: The US supreme court may bring Texas-style abortion restrictions to every state | Scott Lemieux
Eldridge’s clinic first began looking to reopen last October, but lost its previous location and had to find a new one. It also had to apply for a new license with the Texas department of state health services. The clinic first applied in February and believed its position was further strengthened by the supreme court’s June ruling.Eldridge’s clinic first began looking to reopen last October, but lost its previous location and had to find a new one. It also had to apply for a new license with the Texas department of state health services. The clinic first applied in February and believed its position was further strengthened by the supreme court’s June ruling.
State authorities, however, did not issue the license while they awaited court guidance on how to proceed. On 17 August Judge Lee Yeakel of the US district court ordered Texas not to delay licensing the El Paso clinic, and the license was issued 10 days later. State authorities, however, did not issue the license while they awaited court guidance on how to proceed. On 17 August judge Lee Yeakel of the US district court ordered Texas not to delay licensing the El Paso clinic, and the license was issued 10 days later.
A department of state health services spokeswoman, Carrie Williams, said no other requests for new licenses were pending. Joe Pojman, executive director of Texas Alliance for Life, said he was not worried other abortion clinics will follow the lead of Eldridge’s facility.A department of state health services spokeswoman, Carrie Williams, said no other requests for new licenses were pending. Joe Pojman, executive director of Texas Alliance for Life, said he was not worried other abortion clinics will follow the lead of Eldridge’s facility.
“We believe this is an isolated case,” Pojman said.“We believe this is an isolated case,” Pojman said.
Eldridge said her clinic will have about six staffers – some of whom helped pull furniture out of storage. The clinic hopes to see up to 2,000 patients annually, and also provide other services such as contraception and health exams.Eldridge said her clinic will have about six staffers – some of whom helped pull furniture out of storage. The clinic hopes to see up to 2,000 patients annually, and also provide other services such as contraception and health exams.
She said with the ongoing court battles, some would-be El Paso patients might not realize her clinic has reopened right away.She said with the ongoing court battles, some would-be El Paso patients might not realize her clinic has reopened right away.
“We feel like it will take a little while,” Eldridge said, “but people will find us.”“We feel like it will take a little while,” Eldridge said, “but people will find us.”