Carhart mulls next step (One of the nation’s few late-term abortion providers)

Source: Omaha World Herald-AP

By NATE JENKINS LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- One of the nation’s few late-term abortion providers is considering where he will practice as Nebraska moves toward implementing new restrictions on the procedure and Kansas takes steps aimed at keeping him out.

Dr. LeRoy Carhart is exploring all his options, a spokeswoman for the Omaha-area doctor said Thursday, in light of a first-of-its-kind bill in the country expected to be approved in Nebraska within the next week. Partially aimed at shutting Carhart down, it would ban abortions at and after 20 weeks of pregnancy based on the assertion that fetuses feel pain at that time.

The criteria now used in Nebraska and elsewhere to block abortions is the viability of the fetus, or the ability to live outside the womb.

“He doesn’t have plans to leave, but is exploring his options,” said Carhart’s spokeswoman, Dionne Scott of the Center for Reproductive Rights. Asked if he might begin practicing in Kansas, she said “we are not saying Kansas is out of the question.”

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20100408/NEWS01/704099945#carhart-mulls-next-step