The case involves a Texas law, House Bill 2, that implements safety standards for abortion clinics that match up with the regulations of other surgical clinics.

The standards include requirements to uphold quality of care, cleanliness and safety, proper staffing and safe laboratory services. For example, the law requires hallways to be wide enough for gurneys to transport women into an ambulance.

The law also requires abortion clinic doctors to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the clinic.

Those who oppose the law say it's an "undue burden" on women and a way to restrict access to abortions.

They believe the extra expense to implement the safety standards will cause abortion clinics to close.

In fact, opponents say the Texas legislature's goal in passing the law was to shut the doors of abortion clinics and "single out abortion for heightened medical regulation."

Texas says its law is a way to prevent what happened at the clinic of late-term abortionist Dr. Kermit Gosnell in Philadelphia.

A jury convicted Gosnell of three counts of murder for killing three infants born alive by cutting their spinal cords with scissors.

He also was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of a 41-year-old immigrant who died from a drug overdose during a botched abortion. (Photo via The Blaze)
 
In addition to the murder convictions, Gosnell was found guilty on 21 felony counts of performing illegal abortions and 211 counts of violating the 24-hour informed consent law.

Investigators described his clinic as a "house of horrors," with bloodstained walls, unsterilized medical equipment and fetal remains stored in the employee refrigerator.

In Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, the Supreme Court will consider if the regulations outlined in the Texas law pass the "undue burden" standard expressed in Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992).

The "undue burden" test bans states from putting into effect abortion regulations before viability—regulations that have the "purpose or effect of placing a substantial obstacle in the path of a woman seeking an abortion."

The Court determined viability to be 23-24 weeks gestation because of medical advances.

Texas says there is enough evidence that the regulations under its law are vital to promote the health and safety of women.

With the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, the Court could tie 4-4, which would uphold the appeals court decision in favor of the Texas law.

A conservative or liberal justice would have to break ranks to avoid a tie.

"Abortionists should not be given a free pass to elude medical requirements that everyone else is required to follow," said Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Steven H. Aden.

"The 5th Circuit was on firm legal ground in its decision, and we have asked the Supreme Court to affirm it. The law's requirements are common-sense protections that ensure the maximum amount of safety for women," Aden said.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

A Prayer Guide for Halloween from Wanda Alger

Appeal to Heaven: Members of Congress Join to Pray for Nation

5 Things to Know About the Virginia Governor's Race

Lawmakers Move to Impeach Judge Boasberg for Rubber-Stamping Jack Smith's Partisan Surveillance

Bombshell Texts Reveal LA Fire Brass Knew Fire That Burned Down Palisades Wasn't Out

Wow: According to Feds Over 7,200 Truck Drivers Were Removed from US Highways after Failing English Test

The Government Shutdown Exposed the Biggest Lie in Education

Trump Tells Republicans to Use 'Nuclear Option' to End Democrat Filibuster That Caused the Shutdown

FBI Thwarts 'Potential Halloween Weekend Terrorist Attack' in Michigan

Trump Names Nigeria 'Country of Particular Concern' in Order to Help Stop the 'Slaughter' of Christians

Shroud of Turin Skeptic Now Says It's Real 'Evidence to... the Resurrection of Jesus'

Teacher Rebuked for Constitution Day Lesson on Free Speech

Governor DeSantis Announces Special Partnership with TPUSA Meant to Protect Club America Chapters in Florida

Don't Miss This: Erika Kirk's Inspiring Speech to Students at the University of Mississippi

Illegal Border Crossings in September Historically Low

Every Shutdown in Last 35 Years Was Ended by a Continuing Resolution, Like the One Dems Keep Rejecting

Prior to Meeting with China's Xi Jinping, President Trump Announced Policy Change in US Nuclear Weapons Testing

'We Have a Deal': President Trump's 'Amazing' Meeting with China's Xi Jinping

US Missionary Abducted by Suspected Jihadists: 'Pray for His Protection'

State Senator to Call on Trump to Fight Christian Persecution