DALLAS – A north Texas abortion center has become the twentieth abortion facility in the Lone Star State to close its doors as a result of pro-life legislation recently signed by Texas Governor Rick Perry.

For over 30 years, Northpark Medical Group has offered abortion procedures to women in the Dallas area. The facility’s website describes the center as “being the foremost and preeminent provider of first and second trimester abortion services up to 15 weeks in the Dallas area.”

According to reports, Northpark Medical Group is affiliated with Texas abortionist Douglas Karpen. As previously reported, Karpen allegedly killed babies born alive during late-term abortion procedures, but he was cleared of all wrongdoings by a Texas grand jury late last year.

Now, Karpen’s Northpark Medical Group abortion center in Dallas has reportedly closed its doors because its abortionists failed to meet required health standards. Specifically, the abortionists were unable to meet the increased health standards of a pro-life bill—HB2—signed by Governor Rick Perry last summer.

As previously reported, HB2 bans most abortions after 20 weeks gestation and requires all abortion facilities to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. Pro-abortion activists have condemned the new standards, saying Texas politicians are robbing women of their “reproductive rights.” Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, argued that “women are suffering” as a result of the pro-life measures.

“A small group of politicians bent on imposing their personal agenda on every Texan have created a health care catastrophe for women of all backgrounds, but especially those who are low income, rural and women of color,” Richards wrote in a column this week. “Women are suffering, and it’s time to put an end to this appalling situation.”

Despite the outcry from pro-abortion lobbyists, 20 abortion facilities in Texas have closed their doors since last summer. According to a USA Today report, only half a dozen abortion facilities might still be open by the end of this year, which is a significant decrease from the 41 facilities operating in the state just three years ago.

Meanwhile, pro-life advocates say the abortion center closings are very encouraging. Kyleen Wright, president of the Texans for Life Coalition and an early supporter of HB2, told Christian News Network that abortion facilities have a long history of unsafe health conditions.

“We have long heard complaints about many of these abortion doctors,” Wright said, “but the women often go silent out of shame, privacy issues, or as a requirement of any favorable settlement.”

Even pro-choice women are often appalled by conditions in abortion facilities, Wright added. And the conditions at Northpark Medical Group in Dallas were no different, she said.

“One of the abortion doctors linked to this clinic had been disciplined by the Texas Medical Board and another was 84 years old,” Wright stated. “It is troubling that these doctors cannot meet the hospital credentialing requirements at any of the nearby hospitals.”

Wright also asserted that the requirements outlined in HB2 are similar to those enforced upon normal hospitals by credentialing committees.

“Hospital credentialing committees want to know about past malpractice issues, continuing education, loss of privileges at other hospitals, etc.,” she explained. “They also generally want proof of insurance and letters of recommendation from other doctors. Any reputable surgeon should readily be able to supply these things. Again, it troubling that these [abortionists] cannot.”

Wright confirmed to Christian News Network that additional abortion facilities in Texas will likely close by later this year.

“When the final element of HB2 goes into effect September 1, all but seven [abortion facilities] have indicated they will close, rather than upgrade their facilities to meet the ambulatory surgical center requirement,” she stated.

Overall, Wright said that the closures will result in greater protection for both women and babies in the state.

“Obviously, fewer abortion clinics means fewer women and babies hurt by abortion,” she said.

Become a Christian News Network Supporter...

Dear Reader, has ChristianNews.net been of benefit and a blessing to you? For many years now, the Lord has seen fit to use this small news outlet as a strong influential resource in keeping Christians informed on current events from a Biblical worldview. With much compromise and many falsehoods in modern-day Christianity, we strive to bring you the news by keeping Christ and His word in focus. If you have benefited from our news coverage, please prayerfully consider becoming a Christian News supporter by clicking here to make a one-time or monthly donation to help keep the truth of God's word widely and freely published and distributed. May Christ continue to be exalted through this work!