Iowa Senate Narrowly Passes Bill Aimed at Preventing Dr. Carhart From Opening Abortion Clinic

Reuters: Iowa Senate passes measure aimed at abortion doctor, by Kay Henderson:

Dr. Leroy Carhart had been providing late-term abortions in Nebraska. But a measure signed into law in that state last year prohibits abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy. A similar measure has been enacted in Kansas.

In response, Carhart, one of only handful of doctors in the country who perform abortions late in the second-trimester of pregnancy, announced plans to open a clinic just across the border from Nebraska in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

But the measure passed by the Democratic-led Iowa Senate on Monday in a 26-23 vote would require Carhart and others to apply to the state for a "certificate of need" or permit for a "free-standing" abortion clinic. . . .