Abortion-Rights Advocates, Opponents Object To Proposed Alabama Abortion Clinic Regulation Changes
Abortion-rights advocates and abortion-rights opponents on Monday at a public hearing in Montgomery, Ala., objected to the Alabama Department of Public Health's proposed changes to regulations for clinics providing abortion services that would boost requirements for substitute physicians and increase the responsibility of medical directors, the AP/Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reports (Hunter, AP/Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, 11/27). According to public health department regulations implemented in 2003, clinics must have a physician with admitting privileges at a local hospital to replace on-staff doctors when they are away. Under the proposed changes to the regulations, a staff member trained in CPR must always be present when a clinic is open, and medical directors are responsible for implementing a clinic's regulations and ensuring that staff meets state requirements. In addition, all physicians associated with a clinic must be board certified or eligible in obstetrics and gynecology except for family doctors who are trained in several abortion-related procedures, such as hysterectomies (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 9/22). The clinic also must maintain records of equipment maintenance, and clinics cannot dispense medications by standing orders (Chandler, Birmingham News, 11/27). About 12 advocates from advocacy groups -- including the National Organization for Women, Physicians for Life, Alabama Alliance Against Abortion and Alabama Clergy for Choice -- commented at the hearing Monday. Some antiabortion advocates said the proposed changes were still too lenient on abortion providers, while some abortion-rights advocates said the rule changes were unnecessary and would make it more difficult to provide the procedure, the AP/Ledger-Enquirer reports. According to the AP/Ledger-Enquirer, written comments on the rules will be accepted through Dec. 5. Public input will be presented to the state health committee with a recommendation on whether to withdraw the rules or adopt them, Rick Harris, who directs the state health department's Bureau of Health Provider Standards, said (AP/Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, 11/27).
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