Response from groups on both sides of the abortion debate was swift. Within minutes of the vote, the ACLU of Pennsylvania put out a press release warning that the bill would "cut off access to health care" by driving clinics out of business, while the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation issued a statement praising the Senate for "safeguarding" women's health.
The Senate bill requires clinics performing abortions after nine weeks' pregnancy to be licensed as so-called "ambulatory" surgical facilities like those that offer outpatient knee, eye, and other surgeries. A House-approved version, now before a Senate committee, extends those standards to all clinics performing abortions.
"We will take a look at [the Senate bill] and work with the Senate to see which one to send to the governor," Steve Miskin, spokesman for House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, said of the Senate bill.
Miskin declined to predict whether a deal would be reached before the General Assembly breaks for summer recess after the passage of the state budget, which has an oft-missed June 30 deadline. "Obviously the top priority is the budget, but health care is a major issue, too," he said.
Supporters say the bill will ensure that women's health is protected at safer clinics, while opponents say the costs associated with upgrading the clinics will lead to closures and thereby restrict access to a range of sexual health services, especially for lower-income women.
"The public health crisis will not ensue when SB 732 becomes law," Sen. Bob Mensch (R., Montgomery), sponsor of an amendment toughening requirements on clinics, told colleagues. "We have a public health crisis now because we failed to treat abortions like surgical procedures."
