Choice group appeals sonogram ruling

AUSTIN (AP) - The Center for Reproductive Rights is asking for a rehearing of its argument that a law requiring a sonogram before an abortion is unconstitutional.

Two weeks ago, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted an injunction preventing Texas from requiring doctors to conduct a sonogram. The law also requires the doctor to show the woman the sonogram image, to play the fetal heartbeat aloud and to explain what the doctor sees, whether the woman wants to hear it or not.

“We disagree with the 5fth Circuit panel’s conclusion that physicians who provide abortions have fewer First Amendment protections than other citizens simply because they perform a service that some politicians don’t like," said Nancy Northrup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights.

The center was founded in 1992 with a mission to advance the cause of reproductive freedom.

The three-judge panel ruled that the law is constitutional and said a lower court was wrong to stop Texas from enforcing it

“We’re asking the full court to rectify this unjustified curtailment of free speech rights and keep government out of conversations between Texas women and their doctors,” Northup said. The center is asking for a rehearing by the entire appeals court to reconsider the earlier decision.

Texas is currently enforcing the law.