Legislation to tighten restrictions on 22 freestanding clinics that perform abortions and provide a range of women's health services was moved through by the Senate in the final hours before the chamber adjourned for the holiday.
Opponents say the changes mandated by the law would effectively close clinics that have operated safely and without incident for decades by requiring costly physical plant and staffing changes.
They say the law would block access to vital health services for 37,000 women who seek abortions each year as well as thousands of others who seek birth control, cancer screenings, and other tests.
During floor debate, proponents argued that the bill would protect the health and safety of women by ensuring an end to rogue abortion providers like Kermit Gosnell, who was indicted by a Philadelphia grand jury last January in the deaths of seven babies and one adult patient.
"We have a duty and obligation to protect the poorest of the poor, to have some safety and welfare in any medical procedures," Sen. Jane Orie (R., Erie) said, noting that she was a member of the antiabortion caucus. "I truly believe this was the right thing to do for women in Pennsylvania."
Critics called the bill "irresponsible" and "pandering to special interests."
Sen. Larry Farnese (D., Phila.) said the bill was "not about Gosnell or helping women," but "would hurt people and take away rights the Supreme Court says they have."
The bill mirrors restrictive legislation in other states that is under consideration or has become law, among them South Carolina and Texas, where clinics have closed as a result.
As one indication of the level of controversy over the legislation, the sponsor of the original bill - Sen. Pat Vance (R., Cumberland), a former nurse and one of the few medical professionals in the General Assembly - voted against it.
