http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/abortionbi_661.mp3
Legislation regulating abortion providers gained overwhelming support from a House committee today. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports.
The bill would require doctors performing abortions to have obstetrical or gynecological privileges at a hospital within a 30 mile radius of the abortion clinic.
Kellie Rorhbaugh is the public affairs coordinator for Planned Parenthood of Southwest Missouri.
She says this bill will force the abortion facilities in Springfield and Columbia to close.
But the bill sponsor Republican Representative Jane Cunningham says that's not the intent.
She says the goal is to make sure doctors can attend to their patients if there's a problem during or after the abortion that requires hospitalization.
Many abortion rights supporters like Planned Parenthood's Kellie Rohrbaugh say abortion is a safe procedure.
And though Planned Parenthood and the Springfield abortion clinic are not affiliated, she says she knows the facility provides a safe environment for its patients.
She says it's unfair for lawmakers to single out abortion providers for tough regulations.
Those regulations aren't enough for bill sponsor Jane Cunningham.
She says the state needs to require doctors who perform abortions to have O-B/G-Y-N privileges at a nearby hospital.
Now that the bill has committee approval, it moves to the House floor.