The Hope Medical Group for Women in Shreveport, La., which closed late Friday, due to health and safety concerns – was the first abortion clinic to shut down under the state’s new law governing such facilities.
Gov. Bobby Jindal signed the bill – Act 490 – into law earlier this year.
Gene Mills, executive director for Louisiana Family Forum Action, said that prior to the new law, the “hands” of the State Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) were tied.
“DHH had very little governing authority to revoke a license or to shut down a clinic,” Mills “They could issue citations, but they had no real police authority.”
“These are some of the most basic medical practices they were excluding,” said Anthony Keck, interim secretary for the Louisiana DHH. “They were out of compliance with several major licensing standards.”
Among the infractions: not administering physical exams before an abortion and not monitoring patients’ vital signs under anesthesia.
Mills had only praise for state Rep. Fred Mills and Keck, who were very instrumental in getting the abortion clinic shut down.
“Well done, Tony Keck and Representative Fred Mills! Your actions have preserved both life and health in Louisiana,” he said. “It is refreshing to encounter Louisiana public officials who take their duty to protect the innocent and the public seriously.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Learn more about Louisiana Family Forum.
Learn more about Louisiana Right to Life Federation.
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