Despite the fact that abortion is legal in the U.S., regulations and intimidation have so "sharply reduced the number of clinics, doctors and hospitals willing to engage in the procedure" that it is currently "not possible to obtain a legal abortion in 87% of U.S. counties," columnist Renee Loth writes in the Boston Globe. Even in Massachusetts -- "a reliably liberal state, with the finest medical facilities in the world" -- five outpatient women's health centers that previously performed abortion services have closed in the past seven years, according to a survey by NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts. The survey also found that 13 health providers who were believed to perform abortions were unwilling to admit to offering the procedure when asked on a phone call from an anonymous woman seeking an abortion.

Loth writes that the controversy surrounding the relocation of Brookline, Mass.-based Women's Health Services is "emblematic of the national trend." The health center provides various reproductive health services, including Pap tests, fertility counseling and abortion. It is facing legal difficulties as it attempts to move to a new space on a commercial street. According to Loth, neighbors of the proposed location are suing to prevent the move. Their concern is not over the fact that the clinic offers abortion services but "that abortion protesters ... will be bad for business, terrifying for young children attending an elementary and preschool nearby, and damaging to property values," Loth writes. The complaint says, "The signage displayed by the protesters and the nature of their chants and slogans will adversely affect the neighborhood." According to Loth, "Blocking the clinic's move because of expected protests is a variant of the 'heckler's veto,' in which free speech or other rights can be suppressed simply by protesters threatening havoc."

Although it is a "devilishly complicated issue," the success of the suit could mean that "a constitutionally protected medical procedure can never be allowed anywhere near a school or business or church that might be disturbed by protesters," Loth writes. Women's health clinics that offer abortion services "will not be able to operate in communities where real people live at all," creating "further barriers to access for women needing an abortion," she continues. Loth concludes, "But of course, marginalizing and stigmatizing abortion is exactly the aim of the protesters. And if they bow to the heckler's veto, the good liberals of Brookline will be helping that along" (Loth, Boston Globe, 10/30).

Reprinted with kind permission from nationalpartnership. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.

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