JACKSON, Miss., April 5 (UPI) -- Mississippi lawmakers passed a bill Wednesday that could result in the closure of the state's only abortion clinic, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said.
House Bill 1390 would require doctors associated with an abortion facility to have admitting privileges at a local hospital and to be board-certified obstetrician-gynecologists. Reeves, in a statement thanking the state Senate for its vote, said the measure should effectively close Mississippi's only abortion clinic.
Diane Derzis, owner of the Jackson Women's Health Organization, told CNN all the doctors are obstetrician-gynecologists, although only one has admitting privileges at an area hospital.
She said she would fight to keep her clinic open.
The bill is in a period for comment before it will be sent to Republican Gov. Phil Bryant, who calls the legislation "an important step in strengthening abortion regulations and protecting the health and safety of women."
