U.S. top court rejects North Carolina abortion ultrasound case
Source: Reuters
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a bid by the state of North Carolina to revive its law requiring women seeking an abortion to have an ultrasound of the fetus performed and described to them.
The high court left in place an appeals court ruling that struck down the 2011 law as unconstitutional because it forced doctors to voice the state's message discouraging abortion.
Under the law, passed by North Carolina's Republican-led legislature, physicians must perform an ultrasound, display the sonogram and describe the fetus to women seeking abortions.
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last year that the measure unduly burdened doctors' free speech rights, impinging on the physician-patient relationship.
The ruling by the appellate court in Richmond, Virginia noted that the state clearly intended to "convince women seeking abortions to change their minds or reassess their decisions."
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/15/us-usa-court-abortion-idUSKBN0OV1TU20150615?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews
It's what I've said all along - this is compelled speech and tha state can't do that. It's unconstitutional.
ananda
(28,925 posts)The federal court for Texas ruled that the forced ultrasound
was OK.
I wonder if SCOTUS will strike it down.
Stuart G
(38,458 posts)This is very good news...k and r
blm
(113,142 posts).
Novara
(5,878 posts)They make doctors describe a fetus from an ultrasound when a woman is lying there helpless, yet a pediatrician can't ask a parent if there are guns in the house, concerned for the safety of the children living there.
We sure have fucked-up priorities.
blm
(113,142 posts).
valerief
(53,235 posts)Seems only fair to try in North Carolina anyway.