in 2013. he was found guilty for war crimes at the hague. he was acquitted on charge of rape, sexual slavery and child soldiers. i'm tony harris. those are the headlines. >> the supreme court's decision in roe versus wade made it har d to ban abortion, but states like texas make it harder for women to end pregnancies. that's the inside story. >> hello, i'm ray suarez. in many states a majority of legislatures would, if they

could, ban abortion simply make it illegal. but the supreme court's 1973 decision in roe versus wade makes that impossible. but in state capitol after capitol senators and representatives are finding ways to make abortion harder to get. by putting new regulations on physical facilities and the doctors who perform the procedures it races costs, creates daunting regulatory hurdles and results in fewer places for a woman who doesn't want to be pregnant can terminate. there are roughly 100 million people in the u.s. than there were in 1980 and the number of abortion providers is down by a third since then. but in states like texas the number of providers has dropped from 44 in 2011 to 24 today, and is expected to shrink to six when new laws are fully implemented later this year. no. the last two years more states have passed sweeping

abortion restrictions than in the last ten years. since 2011 more than 200 laws have been passed by states restricting access to abortions in alabama, four bills were passed in the state house wednesday making it harder to get an abortion. >> what is wrong with us when we ignore the declaration of independence? the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. life is the right. >> reporter: the measures include banning abortions in a heartbeat is detected in the womb, which means six weeks after conception. the house bill also extend the waiting period to 48 hours and make parental consent laws for minors more strict. a bill pasted has month requiring physicians to get permitting privileges at local hospitals before performing abortions, a right that is hard to get when a physician is not hospital staff, and almost

identical bill passed last year an abortion provider whole women's health had a hard time meeting criteria and shut down clinics. the organization wrote we're devastating to announce we're closing out clinics this week after serving women in these communities for over ten years texas politicians have forced us to shut our doors. the new rules also ban abortions 20 weeks after conception and starting in september will require abortion facilities to meet surgical standards. out of the 24 abortion clinics opposite in texas today only six meet those criteria. whole women health and other probation providers have challenged the new restrictions in court. the court of appeals heard its case but made no decision.

>> as states become the battle battlefield in the continuing issue of abortion, the practical effects of those new laws on this edition of inside story. joining us are from austin, executive director of texas alliance for life. here in washington, director of public affairs to th the latinar health, and university of southern california health fellow. tell us about the background of these laws that have come into effect recently in texas. >> as you said the texas legislature cannot ban most abortions but the legislature can and should assure that women have enough information before they decide to have an abortion,

and to ensure that abortions are done in a safe manner, comparable to similar facilities done in other procedures done in other facilities. that's what the legislature has done in the last four years. we have an informed consent law, a sonogram law and a law that increases safety standards in abortion facilities, and most facilities are meeting those standards. >> when you say to be sure that the procedures are done in a safe manner. what was the evidence that suggested that they were being done in an unsafe manner. >> that last summer we had a lot of testimony where both sides weighed in heavily and there was compelling testimony from women who had negative experience in some of the abortion clinics in texas, we pointed out similar procedures to abortion are done in facilities that are done at a much higher safety standard,

surgical centers. the goal is to raise the standard of care at the abortion facilities to the level of comparable facility, which are meeting those safety standards, which provide care and which operate financially the viability, why can't the abortion facilities do the same? >> becca, were abortions being carried out in texas in a way that was injurious to women's health? >> the evidence is mixed. a texas tribune analysis of the state inspection records for abortion clinics in the year leading up to the passage of these new regulations that while there were some minor violations none were serious enough for time penalties and all of the facilities were able to issue correction plans acceptable to the state. while there may have been some minor violations as they are in all kinds of medical facilities none presented an extreme risk for patient safety. >> and this notion that clinics have to be brought up to standards that resemble those of

hospitals and surgical wards in hospitals, for people who have never had an abortion or contemplated what it takes to get one, is that an advisable thing? is there a reason, a compelling reason to have those clinics operate at the same level of equipment professional staff, and facilities as the hospital? >> well-- >> if i could answer that. >> i'll get to you in a moment. >> procedures that can be performed in a doctor's office. in texas a physician can perform abortions in his office as long as he performed under 150 a year. but the standard for surgical centers require things like larger sterilization equipment,

gurneys and connection-to-a hospital. many of these things are not necessary for the abortion procedure. >> if a woman is pregnant and has a miscarriage she may have a procedure. her physician would likely do that not in his or her own office but in a hospital operating room or more likely in an surgical center. if that same procedure used in abortions is done at these higher safety standards, we think abortions should be done at the same level of care for women. >> go ahead, kimberly mcguire. >> sure, the reality is that these regulations have nothing to do with protecting women's health and safety. joe was correct when it said that the texas state legislature can't outlaw abortion but policy makes who want to outlaw abortion completely have done their best to make it accessible. there is no reason for the restrictions we've heard about.

these bias counseling laws to force a woman listen to a script written not by a doctor but a politician. so unfortunately the reality of these policies is that abortion clinics that serve women are being shut down. these clinics provide other important care that is now being denied to women in huge parts of texas, and it's very hurtful. >> i think those other parts of healthcare are very important and we'll talk about them later in the program. but in legislation after legislation, voters send senators to austin who are anti-abortion. isn't it just using politics and using the function of the legislator to make them harder to get? >> you know, i think we can disagree on abortion, and it can bring up strong feelings for folks, but we can all agree that

politicians should not be involved in healthcare or deciding the details of how a medical procedure is provided. that's not a way to protect health and safety. it's true that for these politicians it's about using political interference to take away women's ability to make her own decisions. >> joe, kimberly suggests it's not to make it safer to get an abortion in texas, but to make it harder to get an abortion in texas, that your group and others have helped midwife, if you'll excuse the expression, these laws. >> well, we certainly do support these laws, and we seem to be the only side that is concerned about raising the standard of care to the level of other procedures. my own mother in law had a cataract removal done in a clinic. that's the level of care that dictates. the legislature sets those rules

for all medical procedures, not just abortion. the legislation has a role and responsibility to protect patients, especially when there are demonstrated abuses in the past, and i'll point out that this is not our preference, but the reality is that abortion remain readily availability in texas and it's happening tens of thousands of times every year. this law has not changed it. it has required certain facilities, a small number who are not willing or unable to meet the new standards to close, but abortions are readily available. >> but those same statistics that demonstrate how many women in texas continue to avail themselves of abortions suggest they're not very dangerous either. between 2000 and 2010 there were more than 865,000 abortions in texas, and five women died. i think we can all agree that the death of the five women is a

tragedy, but that kind of percentage, a rate that is lower than the death rate of abortion nationwide wouldn't suggest that there is a problem in texas that necessarily needed addressing, does it? >> well, it does because you're neglecting complications, ray. the rules have only recently been changed to require that complications be reported to our state agency. deaths were but not complications. we don't know how many complications, and now they are reported it's not even available for public information for the public and for the media. so we really don't know what the problem is, but i will tell you out that one of those facilities in beaumont, texas, had the inspection report that we have show very troubling history of violations, including staff unable to properly sterile oysteringcal instruments. can you imagine one abortion to the next with instrument it's not properly sterilized. that's frightening. that's when the government has

to step in and protect women who are considering abortion. >> we have to take a break, when we come back we'll talk about the practical affect these laws have not only on abortion but the wider definition of women's health and their access to medical care. this is insid "inside story."

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al jazeera america. >> welcome boo back to "inside story." i'm ray suarez. we're talking about abortion rights, issues that boil just underneath the surface of our national politics. some legislature passing new rules about when and where a woman can have a legal abortion. becca, you heard about the less asked about subject of side-effects, problems in procedures. are there good numbers to back up his contention that there were substandard services being offered to the women of text inn

the previously existing clinics? >> there isn't a lot of patient data available because of privacy laws, but we did find some of the things that he mentioned about the facilities in beaumont. but at the same time none of those minor violations were serious enough for the state to issue financial penalty. once the clinics issued a correction plan, they accepted that. all medical facilities do make mistakes none of them were serious enough to be warranted of financial penalty. >> at several junctures that joe mentioned abortion is readily available, in his words, in the state of texas. i've driven from h el paso to texarkana. it seems like the drive of my life. it's a big state, texas. if you go through the six

clinics, are there some people who are going to have to travel an awful long way. >> people are already having to trouble an awful long way. as a result of the passage of the new laws many clinics have not been able to obtain hospital-admitting services, and clinics have closed. women in that area now have to travel to 100 miles to san antonio or corpus christi. now the legislation requiring clinic to surgical to take affect, only a few will be able to stay open. the traffic costs, women having to take off work, child care, it puts a heavy burden on women to get the procedure now. >> we work closely and every day we talk to latinas who live in the area and are dealing with these restrictions right now.

we talk to women who have month paid time off work and taking time off work may jeopardize jobs and women who don't have cars. the notion that hundreds of miles of driving some how accessiblaccessible, it just dor out. the reality, the area is the size of connecticut. the last clinic that provided abortions in that area has closed. those women now will have no option for getting abortion services. that is not making them safer. it's putting their health and safety in harms way. >> if they're determined to end their pregnancy. it's one thing if they're on the bubble, but it's my sense that women will find a way any way. what is it? >> first, i just want to be clear. women take very seriously the decision whether to end a pregnancy. this is something that women think about, and they consult with their health provider, their faith leader, this is a

very serious and personal decision. we're deeply concerned that in many cases that may or may not be a safe option. >> joe, a lot of reports coming out of the rio grand valley suggest that many of those women are simply going to head over to the border to mexico and end their pregnancy using drugs that are prescribed to end a pregna pregnancy chemically rather than surgically. but we end up with the same thing. a woman who is not pregnant. is that really where you wanted these laws to go? >> well, the two facilities in the valley have been closed since november 1st. we've already been operating with this operation. a chain of six abortion facilities, four of those six continue to operate under the new laws, and we're wondering why the one in the rio grand valley, why couldn't they find a

physician that had privileges at a local hospital because apparently that was the hang up. we'll point out that facility did have serious problems with the department state health services, also problems sterilizing instruments. it's amazing to us that these folks would operate that way and treat women so poorly. there are the vast majority of facilities remain open. there are six facilities and we expect others to open up because that's what providers have said on the internet. the fact is abortion remains legal in texas and available, and that will continue for the foreseeable future. >> kimberly suggested there would be a disparate impact on poor women. is that something you took into account as you start to think about the possibilities of this new law, that this is something that cuts against poor women in a way that is quite different.

>> this does not ban abortion. it provides safety standards. our question is why don't they provide the safety standards in the rio grand like others have. the providers is where the responsibility lies, and we'll point out that there is another way to end pregnancy, and that's chilchildbirth. there is help available. there are pro-life resource centers that want to help women with all their needs so a year after the birth the woman is provided for and that child, and one option is adoption. >> coming out of the break we want to talk about something that joe just said. we want to talk about abortion in texas and the legislation moving forward to confine the

right t to abort pregnancy.

>> welcome back to inside story. i'm ray suarez. on this edition of the program we're discussing new state laws restricting legal abortion. two more clinics in texas closed saying they couldn't meet the new state standards. in september the abortion providers in texas will be required to meet the same rules as ambulatory surgical centers. right now only six existing abortion facilities would pass that test. these new laws don't ban abortion, they simply ask these facilities if they want to continue to perform the procedure to meet those standards. why is that a problem? >> this is a great time to place this attack on abortion in context of what is happening in texas over the last few years. the same legislature in 2011

pushed through a defunding of women's program. what does that have to do with abortion? the anti-choice lawmakers it was really just about attacking women's health. the impact of defunding 2011 meant that we now talk to women today who have not been able to get a cancer screening, a mammogram. i know women in texas who have been living with lumps in they are breast for five years because the clinic that used to provide cancer screenings shut down. why? because of these same attacks on healthcare. they first started by shutting down the family planning clinics, and now they're going after the abortion clinics. >> why couldn't they doctors get admitting privileges at hospitals? why couldn't they raise their gain in order to meet the requirements of the new law? >> you know, these requirements were designed to shut down clinics. they were designed to to create things that would be impossible

to reach, and medically unnecessary and shut down clinics. as far as a specific clinics, they're each in different situations, but each these regulations were designed to be impossible to meet. >> last year there were fewer abortions or i should say this more correctly. the rate of abortion in the united states is the lowest it's been in more than 40 years. do we know why yet? >> no, i mean in texas they cut planning family funding. researchers at the university of texas evaluating impact of these numbers found that women interviewed at an abortion clinic since these regulations took effect. 54% of them did not access the contraception of their choice that means that women in texas might be carrying pregnancies to

term that were unintended because they did not have access to contraception. >> i could see where they say yes, it's a victory for us because it means what we're doing is working. i can see women working against the right for legal abortion is against us, no, it's us, it's working. but less women sought abortion in this country last year. this new law, some are not going to stand up to constitutional scrutiny, one like the fetal heartbeat rule in alabama, which would push down the threshold to something closer to six weeks when roe v. wade, which still stands, means you have to get to the first trimester before the

ban becomes so restrictive. what is behind passing a law that even some of the sponsors in some of these states know ultimately won't survive constitutional mustard. joe, what is the strategy? >> we don't advocate the legislature do things like that. we think we pass things that are soundly constitutional, and we'll see where the fifth circuit holds up the law, we think they will. family planning in texas has increased funding for family planning to record level, and more than 3,000 family planning providers across texas. we have to look at exactly what the legislature has been doing. that is protecting the health and safety of women, and providing women's healthcare. >> kimberly, where do you see this battle going? it's not just in texas. it's in many states. >> absolutely. it's across the country. my primary concern is that every

woman should be able to make the decision for herself without political interference and the texas state legislature telling her where to get her healthcare. the reality whether these laws stand up to constitutional challenges women are being harmed today. women are being denied to healthcare that she needs about her future. it's shameful and unconscionable, and we in many organizations are organizing women across the country including women in the rio grand valley. they're fighting back. they're not going to take this sitting down. >> kimberly, becca, joe, thank you for joining me today. that brings us to the end of this edition of "inside story." thank you for being with us. the program may be over but the conversation continues. we want to hear what you think about this or any day show. log on to facebook, or twitter or reach me directly @ray suarez

news. we'll see you for the next "inside story." in washington, i'm ray suarez. piegelman. >> i was trying to figure out as an incredibly self centered human, how did i get on this man it when my bairnts supposed to be dead. >> art spiegelman, had a brother he hadn't met. he had a brother that had been poisoned to not be found by the nazis.