Abortion rights advocates are gearing up to challenge some Arizona restrictions on the procedure in the wake of Monday's Supreme Court decision.
Arizona's regulations don’t go as far as Texas's. Notably, the state does not require clinics where abortions are performed to meet the same standards as surgical centers.
Arizona does have a similar rule that doctors performing surgical abortions must have admitting privileges at hospitals within 30 miles. The same goes for medication abortions, except without a distance requirement.
Jodi Liggett, vice president of public affairs with Planned Parenthood Arizona said they believe that will no longer stand, given the ruling.
“We’re absolutely going straight at the admitting privileges requirement. That’s squarely within the bull's-eye of this decision," Ligget said. "We think we can get that repealed. Absent that, we absolutely believe that’s susceptible to challenge.”
Liggett said other state restrictions that impact women’s ability to access care may not withstand scrutiny, like the prohibition on nurse practitioners from giving medication abortions.
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Katie Hobbs said there will be an attempt to repeal such restrictions in the coming legislative session because they "have never truly been about women's health." She added proponents of these laws are "extremist interest groups that have one goal in mind: outlawing abortion by any means necessary."
One opponent of any attempt to undue those regulations will be Cathi Herrod, head of the conservative Center for Arizona Policy.
“The abortion facilities should not get a free pass to put women’s health in danger," Herrod said. "They must be held to the same health and safety standards for invasive surgery as anyone else. That's the point.”
The Arizona department of Health Services says it’s seeking guidance from the attorney general on the implications of the ruling.
